Major Flood
29 ft
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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FLOOD STAGES
Know the flood categories.
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
Moderate Flood
20 ft
Minor Flood
18 ft
Action Stage
15 ft
What Floods at Each Level
34 ft
Flood waters reach the top of the levee on north side of the river.
32.3 ft
The city of Lawrence Wastewater Treatment building is flooded.
28 ft
Water enters the first floor of the Lawrence Riverfront Mall.
27.3 ft
The City of Lawrence Wastewater Treatment Plant is shut down.
21.3 ft
Sandbagging of the City of Lawrence Waste Water Treatment Plant is necessary.
18 ft
Lowlands outside of the levee on the north side of the river begin to flood. Burcham Park is closed due to flooding on the south side of the river.
15 ft
Burcham Park on the south side of the river begins to flood.
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 30, 1844 | 29.9 ft | — |
| Jul 12, 1951 | 29.9 ft | — |
| May 30, 1903 | 28 ft | — |
About This Gauge
Get Flood Alerts for Kansas 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 Kansas River at Lawrence?
The Kansas River at Lawrence gauge is maintained by USGS (site 06891080) 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 Kansas River at Lawrence?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Kansas River at Lawrence is 18 feet. Action stage begins at 15 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 20 feet, and major flooding at 29 feet.
How do I get alerts when Kansas River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Kansas River at Lawrence 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 Kansas River at Lawrence gauge located?
The gauge is located in Douglas County, Kansas at coordinates 38.9742°N, 95.2358°W. USGS site number: 06891080. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey
- River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 24 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.
- River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 48 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.
- Stage may be affected by ice during winter months.