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Peak streamflow and stages at selected streamgages on the Arkansas River in Oklahoma and Arkansas, May to June 2019

November 20, 2019

As much as 22 inches of rain fell in Oklahoma in May 2019, resulting in historic flooding along the Arkansas River in Oklahoma and Arkansas. The flooding along the Arkansas River and its tributaries that began in May continued into June 2019. Peaks of record were measured at 12 U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) streamgages on various streams in eastern and northeastern Oklahoma. This report documents the peak streamflows and stages for seven selected streamgages along the Arkansas River in Oklahoma and Arkansas. Most of the flood peaks occurred from May 26 to June 4, 2019. The historic flooding caused homes to fall into the river as a result of bank erosion, forced some towns to be evacuated, and resulted in the highest flood depths in Tulsa, Oklahoma, since 1986. Along the Arkansas River, peak streamflows were recorded at six of the seven selected USGS streamgages, with the seventh streamgage on the Arkansas River having the second highest peak of record at that site since regulation began.

Publication Year 2019
Title Peak streamflow and stages at selected streamgages on the Arkansas River in Oklahoma and Arkansas, May to June 2019
DOI 10.3133/ofr20191129
Authors Jason M. Lewis, A.R. Trevisan
Publication Type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Series Title Open-File Report
Series Number 2019-1129
Index ID ofr20191129
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Oklahoma Water Science Center