StormCast — Weather & Emergency Alerts

Smoky Hill River below Russell
Kansas — Water Level & Flood Stage

Located in Russell County, Kansas on the Smoky Hill River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 06864000, updated every 15 minutes.

Current Water Level

Gage Height

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Streamflow

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Last Reading

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Flood Stages

Major Flood

38 ft

Moderate Flood

20 ft

Minor Flood

18 ft

Action Stage

16 ft

Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.

What Floods at Each Level

38 ft

The north bridge approach on Highway 281 at the gage site begins to flood. Expect widespread flooding of agricultural areas.

20 ft

Flooding of croplands and fields will occur.

18 ft

Expect flooding of fields and low lying areas especially on the left bank.

10 ft

The left bank overflows at this height.

Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.

7-Day Water Level Chart

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View Official NWS Hydrograph →

Historic Crests

Date Stage Flow
May 25, 201920.43 ft10,400 cfs
May 25, 201920.43 ft10,400 cfs
Oct 10, 201818.96 ft8,590 cfs
Oct 10, 201818.96 ft8,590 cfs
Aug 26, 201918.61 ft9,247 cfs

About This Gauge

USGS Site

06864000

NWS LID

RSLK1

River

Smoky Hill River

County

Russell, KS

Coordinates

38.7767°N, 98.8544°W

Get Flood Alerts for Smoky Hill 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current water level of Smoky Hill River below Russell?

The Smoky Hill River below Russell gauge is maintained by USGS (site 06864000) 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 Smoky Hill River below Russell?

The NWS-defined flood stage for Smoky Hill River below Russell is 18 feet. Action stage begins at 16 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 20 feet, and major flooding at 38 feet.

How do I get alerts when Smoky Hill River rises?

Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Smoky Hill River below Russell 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 Smoky Hill River below Russell gauge located?

The gauge is located in Russell County, Kansas at coordinates 38.7767°N, 98.8544°W. USGS site number: 06864000. 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