Arkansas River at Garden City
Kansas — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Finney County, Kansas on the Arkansas River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 07139000, updated every 15 minutes.
Current Water Level
Gage Height
Loading...
Streamflow
Loading...
Last Reading
Loading...
Flood Stages
Major Flood
16 ft
Moderate Flood
13 ft
Minor Flood
10 ft
Action Stage
9 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
22.5 ft
Water surface elevation will reach low bridge steel of U.S. highway 83 - business district.
19 ft
Floodwaters will extend to Maple Street in southern Garden City... And some houses will be partly submerged with 2 to 3 feet of water. Bridge approaches adjacent to the Arkansas River will be flooded with 1 to 2 feet of water. Residences along Burnside Drive will be flooded. Flooding will also reach into southern parts of Holcomb, south of the railroad tracks.
17 ft
The Fairgrounds, Finnup park and Lee Richardson Zoo will be inundated with 1 to 2 feet of water. Roads along the Arkansas River up and downstream from Lakin to Cimarron will be flooded in many areas.
16 ft
Floodwaters will rise into Finnup Park, Lee Richardson Zoo, and the Finney County Fairgrounds. Some street flooding and yard flooding will occur along Burnside Drive. South of the Arkansas River and east of Highway 83, the lowest portions of south River Road will be overtopped by rapidly moving water, as will other low-lying portions of roads along the Arkansas River between Lakin and Cimarron.
15 ft
In Garden City, the blacktop road south of the Arkansas River will be close to overflowing. Expect inundations of 5 feet or more along unleveed portions of the Arkansas River outside of Garden City. Move livestock well away from river.
14 ft
Expect inundations up to four feet or more along unleveed portions of the Arkansas River as the river moves out of the main channel farther out onto the adjacent floodplain. Irrigation systems near the river may be threatened by floating debris or the washing out of sandy soil. In Garden City, inundation of the lowest portions of south River Road west of Hwy 283, as well as Burnside Drive will initiate if the river stage rises between 15 to 16 feet.
13 ft
Expect inundations of one foot or more along either side of the Arkansas River upstream and downstream of Garden City as the river begins to move out of its main channel onto its first terrace. Cattle or livestock grazing in the immediate vicinity of the river may be endangered by the swiftly flowing waters.
11.5 ft
At 11.5 feet, the Arkansas River is at bankfull stage in Garden City.
10 ft
The Arkansas River is mostly at bankfull stage between Lakin and Cimarron. Irrigation systems near the river bank are threatened.
9 ft
Expect near bankfull conditions along the lowest-lying areas of the Arkansas River outside of Garden City. In the city of Cimarron, the Arkansas River will begin to enter the southern part of the city park.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
7-Day Water Level Chart
Loading chart data...
Historic Crests
| Date | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 18, 1965 | 22.3 ft | 130,000 cfs |
| Jun 18, 1965 | 22.3 ft | 130,000 cfs |
| May 15, 1951 | 18.57 ft | 33,500 cfs |
| May 15, 1951 | 18.57 ft | 33,500 cfs |
| Jun 6, 1949 | 17.42 ft | 29,200 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
GCKK1
River
Arkansas River
County
Finney, KS
Coordinates
37.9562°N, 100.8772°W
Get Flood Alerts for Arkansas River
StormCast monitors this gauge and sends a push notification to your phone when the water level crosses into a new flood category — even at 3 AM.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current water level of Arkansas River at Garden City?
The Arkansas River at Garden City gauge is maintained by USGS (site 07139000) and reports water levels every 15 minutes. Visit this page to see the latest reading updated live, or download StormCast to get push alerts when levels rise.
What is flood stage for Arkansas River at Garden City?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Arkansas River at Garden City is 10 feet. Action stage begins at 9 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 13 feet, and major flooding at 16 feet.
How do I get alerts when Arkansas River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Arkansas River at Garden City to your watchlist. StormCast will send a push notification to your phone whenever the water level crosses into a new NWS flood category — even when your screen is off.
Where is the Arkansas River at Garden City gauge located?
The gauge is located in Finney County, Kansas at coordinates 37.9562°N, 100.8772°W. USGS site number: 07139000. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Gauges on Arkansas River
On This River
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Stage may be affected by ice during winter months.