Major Flood
18 ft
Current Water Level
Gage Height
Loading...
Streamflow
Loading...
Last Reading
Loading...
This is an NWS forecast point (LID: CTWK1). Live data may be limited. View on NWS AHPS →
FLOOD STAGES
Know the flood categories.
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
Moderate Flood
11 ft
Minor Flood
9 ft
Action Stage
7 ft
What Floods at Each Level
18 ft
Major flooding of roads and homes in Cottonwood Falls and in Strong City occurs.
16 ft
Flood waters draw near the Business District in Strong City. In Cottonwood Falls flood waters approach the Millstream Hotel basement floor.
15 ft
Water covers railroad tracks at Strong City.
14 ft
In Strong City flood waters cover Highway 177 in and around 2nd Street where this section of town sits lower in elevation. Expect Highway 177 to be closed from Cottonwood Falls to Strong City.
12.5 ft
Highway 177 floods between Strong City and Cottonwood Falls. Flood waters spread out on the south side of Strong City impacting First Street and crossing over Highway 177.
12.3 ft
Highway 177 begins to flood just north of the Cottonwood River bridge leading into Strong City.
12.2 ft
Highway 177 begins to flood on the north side of the railroad tracks in Strong City.
12 ft
Main Street, also known as Lake Road begins to floods in the low-lying area between Elmdale and Cottonwood Falls.
11 ft
Flooding occurs at Bates Park in Cottonwood Falls and cropland along the river.
10 ft
Water covers fields and some rural roads along the river. Low areas along the south bank at the gage site begin to flood.
9 ft
Flooding of low-lying areas and cropland can be expected.
7 ft
A small strip of land on the north bank begins to overflow.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 31, 1998 | 17.2 ft | — |
| Jun 29, 1951 | 16.4 ft | — |
| May 9, 1993 | 16.1 ft | — |
About This Gauge
NWS LID
CTWK1
River
Cottonwood River
County
Chase, KS
Coordinates
38.3755°N, 96.5419°W
Get Flood Alerts for Cottonwood 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 Cottonwood River at Cottonwood Falls?
The Cottonwood River at Cottonwood Falls 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 Cottonwood River at Cottonwood Falls?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Cottonwood River at Cottonwood Falls is 9 feet. Action stage begins at 7 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 11 feet, and major flooding at 18 feet.
How do I get alerts when Cottonwood River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Cottonwood River at Cottonwood Falls to your watchlist. StormCast will send a push notification to your phone whenever the water level crosses into a new NWS flood category.
Where is the Cottonwood River at Cottonwood Falls gauge located?
The gauge is located in Chase County, Kansas at coordinates 38.3755°N, 96.5419°W. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Gauges on Cottonwood River
On This River
More Resources
Source & Notes
- Gauge reading only in high-water situations.
- River forecasts for this location take into account past and future precipitation. Forecast stages may be different if forecast future rainfall does not occur.