Elkhorn River at Waterloo, NE

The last 7 days and the forecast

NWS forecast issued Sun, Dec 31, 6 PM. Forecasts change as rain falls and as upstream water arrives.

Flood stages

What floods at each level

From the National Weather Service, highest first.

• 29 ftWater nears the top of the federal levee.
• 18 ftThe state highway approaches from Highway 36 north to Highway 30 and Highway 91 will be threatened.
• 17 ftKing Lake just upstream of Waterloo is threatened.
• 15 ftBetween Highway 36 and Waterloo some roads near the river may be closed.
• 14 ftAlong this stretch of the river low-lying flooding is ongoing or close to starting.
• 12.5 ftWater begins to impact the Elkhorn Crossing campground near 252nd Street and Bennington Road.
• 8 ftThe City of Waterloo closes flood gates.
• 4 ftAt this level the Papio NRD closes the following river access sites: Elkhorn Crossing, near West Maple Road, near West Dodge Road, and West Center Road.

Highest crests on record

1. 24.68 ft — March 16, 2019
2. 19.11 ft — April 2, 1960
3. 18.77 ft — June 14, 2010
4. 18.22 ft — February 22, 1971
5. 18.12 ft — June 18, 1984

Recent crests: 7.58 ft (July 12, 2025) · 10.14 ft (May 21, 2024) · 6.4 ft (February 28, 2023) · 4.98 ft (February 14, 2022) · 6.77 ft (September 1, 2021)

Up and down the river, and nearby

• West Papillion Creek at Elkhorn, NE
• Platte River near Leshara, NE
• West Papillion Creek at Pacific Street at Omaha, NE
• Platte River near Venice, NE
• Big Papillion Creek near Bennington, NE
• South Papillion Creek near Gretna, NE
• Big Papillion Creek at Fort Street at Omaha, NE
• West Papillion Creek at Millard, NE