Major Flood
42 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
26 ft
Minor Flood
18 ft
Action Stage
14 ft
What Floods at Each Level
36 ft
Flood waters reach the top of levee protecting the city of Manhattan.
28 ft
Flood waters reach the top of the levee on the south bank of the river.
26 ft
Hunter's Island begins to flood.
18 ft
Low lands along the river 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 |
|---|---|---|
| May 31, 1844 | 40 ft | — |
| Jul 12, 1951 | 33.39 ft | — |
| Jul 24, 1993 | 29.92 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 Manhattan?
The Kansas River at Manhattan gauge is maintained by USGS (site 06879820) 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 Manhattan?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Kansas River at Manhattan is 18 feet. Action stage begins at 14 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 26 feet, and major flooding at 42 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 Manhattan 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 Manhattan gauge located?
The gauge is located in Riley County, Kansas at coordinates 39.1747°N, 96.5544°W. USGS site number: 06879820. 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.