Big Creek at Ellis
Kansas — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Ellis County, Kansas on the Big Creek. Live water level data from USGS, updated every 15 minutes.
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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This is an NWS forecast point (LID: ELLK1). Live data may be limited. View on NWS AHPS →
Flood Stages
Major Flood
19 ft
Moderate Flood
17 ft
Minor Flood
15 ft
Action Stage
13 ft
2,427 cfs
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
21.8 ft
Prepare for floodwaters 4 to 5 feet deep throughout the lowest lying downtown areas in Ellis. At 21.8 feet, inundations comparable to the June 17, 1957 flood will occur...which approximates the 100 year flood.
20.39 ft
At a stage of 20.4 feet, the 11th Street bridge road surface will be covered by water... And 3 to 5 foot inundations will cover the lowest lying areas around Big Creek. The downtown area will experience inundations approximately 1.5 feet lower than the maximum crest previously encountered during the june 17, 1957 flood.
19 ft
Floodwaters 2 feet or more will inundate portions of the downtown area of Ellis, KS.
18 ft
River reaches the low bridge steel of the 11th Street bridge across Big Creek. Floodwaters reaching a depth of 1 foot or more will inundate portions of the downtown area.
17 ft
In the city of Ellis, portions of 11th Street begin to flood and floodwaters begin to move into sections of the downtown area.
16 ft
In the city of Ellis, Big Creek widens as the floodwaters move away from the river channel.
15 ft
In the city of ellis, flood waters migrate from the immediate proximity of big creek.
14 ft
At a stage of 14 feet, expect minor overflows in the immediate proximity of big creek.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
7-Day Water Level Chart
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Historic Crests
| Date | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 16, 1957 | 21.8 ft | — |
| Jun 16, 1957 | 21.8 ft | — |
| Jun 21, 1951 | 19.75 ft | — |
| Jun 21, 1951 | 19.75 ft | — |
| Jul 21, 1993 | 14.2 ft | — |
About This Gauge
NWS LID
ELLK1
River
Big Creek
County
Ellis, KS
Coordinates
38.9369°N, 99.5636°W
Get Flood Alerts for Big Creek
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 Big Creek at Ellis?
The Big Creek at Ellis gauge is maintained by USGS 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 Big Creek at Ellis?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Big Creek at Ellis is 15 feet. Action stage begins at 13 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 17 feet, and major flooding at 19 feet.
How do I get alerts when Big Creek rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Big Creek at Ellis 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 Big Creek at Ellis gauge located?
The gauge is located in Ellis County, Kansas at coordinates 38.9369°N, 99.5636°W. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Gauges on Big Creek
On This River
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: Observations courtesy of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Stage measured manually and reported by river observer. No automated gauge on-site.
- River forecasts for this location take into account past and future precipitation. Forecast stages may be different if forecast future rainfall does not occur.