Major Flood
44 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
27 ft
Minor Flood
26 ft
Action Stage
15 ft
What Floods at Each Level
43 ft
Floodwaters overflow West Waterworks levee top.
42 ft
Water tops the levees on north and south banks at the Sardou bridge.
38 ft
Flood waters reach South Topeka Gap at Union Pacific Railroad bridge.
37.5 ft
Floodwaters overflow Union Pacific Railroad lifting bridge west of Topeka Blvd.
37 ft
Flood waters reach base of stoplog gap across Union Pacific Railroad near Ward Martin Creek.
26 ft
River Road under the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad bridge begins to flood.
23 ft
Overflow of low-lying rural areas begins west of topeka.
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 | 47.2 ft | — |
| Jul 12, 1951 | 40.8 ft | 469,000 cfs |
| Jul 24, 1993 | 34.97 ft | 170,000 cfs |
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 Topeka?
The Kansas River at Topeka gauge is maintained by USGS (site 06889000) 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 Topeka?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Kansas River at Topeka is 26 feet. Action stage begins at 15 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 27 feet, and major flooding at 44 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 Topeka 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 Topeka gauge located?
The gauge is located in Shawnee County, Kansas at coordinates 39.0667°N, 95.6494°W. USGS site number: 06889000. 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.