Floods in Kansas have caused millions of dollars in damage and loss of life. Nationwide, floods are responsible for more property damage and loss of life than any other natural hazard. The USGS monitors flood conditions at more than 180 streamgages across Kansas. Water level and flow information are used by the National Weather Service (NWS) to make accurate flood forecasts. Included in this topic are tables and maps that summarize flood conditions using real-time data from the streamgages, NWS flood forecast information, and publications that describe historic floods in Kansas.
Flood Watch
- Kansas streamgages at of above flood stage: Flood and High Flow Map
- Most Recent Flow and Stage-Table
- Locations above Flood Stage-Table
- Summary of Flood and High Flow Conditions-Table
- Cowskin Creek flood information
Flood Information
- Turn Around Don't Drown®
- Wateralert Subscription
- Current flood and high flow map for the nation
- USGS Flood Information
- Flood Research
NWS Flood Links
- River Forecasts
- Missouri Basin River Forecast Center
- Arkansas-Red Basin River Forecast Center
- NWS Hydrometeorological Prediction Center
- Precipitation Analysis
- Quantitative Precipitation Forecasts (5-day, 7-day)
- Weather Radar
NWS Weather Forecast Offices
- Dodge City Weather Forecast Office
- Goodland Weather Forecast Office
- Hastings Weather Forecast Office
- Kansas City-Pleasant Hill Weather Forecast Office
- Springfield Weather Forecast Office
- Topeka Weather Forecast Office
- Wichita Weather Forecast Office
Flood Maps
TURN AROUND DON'T DROWN®
Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other thunderstorm related hazard. Why? The main reason is people underestimate the force and power of water. Many of the deaths occur in automobiles as they are swept downstream. Of these drownings, many are preventable, but too many people continue to drive around the barriers that warn you the road is flooded. Whether you are driving or walking, if you come to a flooded road, Turn Around Don't Drown. You will not know the depth of the water nor will you know the condition of the road under the water.
- Follow these safety rules:
- Monitor the NOAA Weather Radio, or your favorite news source for vital weather related information.
- If flooding occurs, get to higher ground. Get out of areas subject to flooding. This includes dips, low spots, canyons, washes etc.
- Avoid areas already flooded, especially if the water is flowing fast. Do not attempt to cross flowing streams. Turn Around Don't Drown
- Road beds may be washed out under flood waters. NEVER drive through flooded roadways. Turn Around Don't Drown If your vehicle is suddenly caught in rising water, leave it immediately and seek higher ground.
- Do not camp or park your vehicle along streams and washes, particularly during threatening conditions.
- Be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers
Related Content
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Historic Floods Along Arkansas River
Despite often being completely dry during drought conditions in western parts of Kansas, the Arkansas River can become deceptively menacing at high flow and cause millions of dollars in damage. The following briefly describe the Arkansas River Basin in Kansas, chronicle the effects of human development on streamflow in the basin, and provide brief descriptions of some of the larger floods.
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
StreamStats for New Jersey
The USGS StreamStats website is a GIS-based web tool for estimating streamflows at gaged and ungaged locations. Features similar to the National Streamflow Statistics program are presented to users with no programs to install. Users can visit the StreamStats website linked here and click on a stream location on the interactive map to compute estimated streamflows for floods and other statistics.
Below are publications associated with this project.
Methods for estimating annual exceedance-probability streamflows for streams in Kansas based on data through water year 2015
Flooding in the United States Midwest, 2008
100-Year flood–it's all about chance
Flood hazards— A national threat
Summary of significant floods in the United States and Puerto Rico, 1994 through 1998 water years
Large floods in the United States: where they happen and why
The 1903 and 1993 floods in Kansas--the effects of changing times and technology
The 1951 floods in Kansas revisited
Summary of significant floods in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, 1970 through 1989
Significant Floods in the United States During the 20th century - USGS Measures a Century of Floods
Estimation of potential runoff-contributing areas in Kansas using topographic and soil information
Summary of floods in the United States, January 1992 through September 1993
Related Content
- Science
Below are other science projects associated with this project.
Historic Floods Along Arkansas River
Despite often being completely dry during drought conditions in western parts of Kansas, the Arkansas River can become deceptively menacing at high flow and cause millions of dollars in damage. The following briefly describe the Arkansas River Basin in Kansas, chronicle the effects of human development on streamflow in the basin, and provide brief descriptions of some of the larger floods.
- Data
Below are data or web applications associated with this project.
StreamStats for New Jersey
The USGS StreamStats website is a GIS-based web tool for estimating streamflows at gaged and ungaged locations. Features similar to the National Streamflow Statistics program are presented to users with no programs to install. Users can visit the StreamStats website linked here and click on a stream location on the interactive map to compute estimated streamflows for floods and other statistics.
- Multimedia
- Publications
Below are publications associated with this project.
Filter Total Items: 13Methods for estimating annual exceedance-probability streamflows for streams in Kansas based on data through water year 2015
A study was done by the U.S. Geological Survey in cooperation with the Kansas Department of Transportation and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to develop regression models to estimate peak streamflows of annual exceedance probabilities of 50, 20, 10, 4, 2, 1, 0.5, and 0.2 percent at ungaged locations in Kansas. Peak streamflow frequency statistics from selected streamgages were related toAuthorsColin C. Painter, David C. Heimann, Jennifer L. Lanning-RushFlooding in the United States Midwest, 2008
During 2008, record precipitation amounts, coupled with already saturated soils, resulted in flooding along many rivers in the United States Midwest. Separate flooding events occurred in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, and September of 2008. The June floods were by far the most severe and widespread with substantial (and in places record) flooding and damage occurring in IllinoisAuthorsRobert R. Holmes, Todd A. Koenig, Krista A. Karstensen100-Year flood–it's all about chance
In the 1960's, the United States government decided to use the 1-percent annual exceedance probability (AEP) flood as the basis for the National Flood Insurance Program. The 1-percent AEP flood was thought to be a fair balance between protecting the public and overly stringent regulation. Because the 1-percent AEP flood has a 1 in 100 chance of being equaled or exceeded in any 1 year, and it has aAuthorsRobert R. Holmes, Karen DinicolaFlood hazards— A national threat
In the late summer of 2005, the remarkable flooding brought by Hurricane Katrina, which caused more than \$ 200 billion in losses, constituted the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history. However, even in typical years, flooding causes billions of dollars in damage and threatens lives and property in every State. Natural processes, such as hurricanes, weather systems, and snowmelt, can cause flAuthorsSummary of significant floods in the United States and Puerto Rico, 1994 through 1998 water years
This volume is a compilation of significant floods that occurred at streamgages throughout the United States and Puerto Rico from October 1, 1993, through September 30, 1998. A significant flood in this report refers to a peak-flow discharge(instantaneous or time averaged) that is in the top 5 percent of all the annual peak flows recorded at streamgages during their total period of record. Most ofAuthorsC. A. PerryLarge floods in the United States: where they happen and why
The spatial distribution of large gaged floods throughout the United States shows that the locations of most of the largest flows are related to specific combinations of regional climatology, topography, and basin size. Key factors include the general northward trend of decreasing atmospheric moisture, proximity to oceanic moisture sources such as the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, and orieAuthorsJim E. O'Connor, John E. CostaThe 1903 and 1993 floods in Kansas--the effects of changing times and technology
No abstract available.AuthorsLanna J. Combs, Charles A. PerryThe 1951 floods in Kansas revisited
No abstract available.AuthorsK. E. Juracek, C. A. Perry, J.E. PutnamSummary of significant floods in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, 1970 through 1989
This volume is a compilation of significant floods that occurred throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands during 1970 through 1989. A summary of most devastating floods according to amount of damage and lives lost is provided for each year. State-by-state compilations include a description of the general hydroclimatology and conditions that produce significant floods, a deAuthorsCharles A. Perry, Byron N. Aldridge, Heather C. RossSignificant Floods in the United States During the 20th century - USGS Measures a Century of Floods
No abstract available.AuthorsCharles A. PerryEstimation of potential runoff-contributing areas in Kansas using topographic and soil information
Digital topographic and soil information was used to estimate potential runoff-contributing areas throughout Kansas. The results then were used to compare 91 selected subbasins representing soil, slope, and runoff variability. Potential runoff-contributing areas were estimated collectively for the processes of infiltration-excess and saturation-excess overland flow using a set of environmental conAuthorsKyle E. JuracekSummary of floods in the United States, January 1992 through September 1993
This volume contains a summary of the flooding in the upper Mississippi River Basin during the spring and summer of 1993 and 36 articles describing severe, widespread, or unusual flooding in the United States from January 1, 1992, to the end of the 1993 water year, September 30, 1993. Each flood is described to an extent commensurate with its significance and the availability of data on the hydrolAuthorsDonald V. Arvin