Wakarusa River near Lawrence
Kansas — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Douglas County, Kansas on the Wakarusa River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 06891500, 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
45 ft
Moderate Flood
25 ft
Minor Flood
23 ft
Action Stage
18 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
31 ft
River reaches a width of a half mile and continues to spread over cultivated fields.
25 ft
Road 1150 East floods.
23 ft
Minor low land flooding begins.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
Low-Water Impacts
3.4
River approaches zero flow.
What happens as water levels drop, per the National Weather Service.
7-Day Water Level Chart
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Historic Crests
| Date | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 11, 1951 | 31.59 ft | 24,200 cfs |
| Jul 11, 1951 | 31.59 ft | 24,200 cfs |
| Oct 11, 1973 | 31.01 ft | 8,210 cfs |
| Oct 11, 1973 | 31.01 ft | 8,210 cfs |
| Jun 21, 1967 | 30.86 ft | 2,280 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
LAWK1
River
Wakarusa River
County
Douglas, KS
Coordinates
38.9114°N, 95.2608°W
Get Flood Alerts for Wakarusa 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 Wakarusa River near Lawrence?
The Wakarusa River near Lawrence gauge is maintained by USGS (site 06891500) 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 Wakarusa River near Lawrence?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Wakarusa River near Lawrence is 23 feet. Action stage begins at 18 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 25 feet, and major flooding at 45 feet.
How do I get alerts when Wakarusa River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Wakarusa River near Lawrence 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 Wakarusa River near Lawrence gauge located?
The gauge is located in Douglas County, Kansas at coordinates 38.9114°N, 95.2608°W. USGS site number: 06891500. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Gauges on Wakarusa River
More Resources
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.