River stage
Arkansas City, Arkansas River
- River level
- 3.51 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- -1.41 ft
- Recent high
- 17.13 ft
- Recent low
- 3.15 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS ARCK1
- 30-day change
- +0.23 ft
- Average
- 4.87 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 20.91 ft
In brief
The Arkansas River at Arkansas City, KS read 3.51 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 5.49 ft below action stage. That is 0.23 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge ARCK1
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20.91 ft | 2019-05-09 |
| 2 | 20.48 ft | 2019-05-28 |
| 3 | 20.22 ft | 2019-05-24 |
| 4 | 19.19 ft | 2016-09-11 |
| 5 | 17.79 ft | 2026-06-28 |
| 6 | 17.61 ft | 1995-08-17 |
| 7 | 17.44 ft | 2018-10-12 |
| 8 | 17.27 ft | 1973-02-02 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 8.00 ft
The city begins to check and start closing storm water flood gates.
- 10.00 ft
The river is at the top of its banks.
- 11.00 ft
Flooding of agricultural lands can be expected with bank overflows on west side of river. West Chestnut Avenue west of the river floods, expect road closure.
- 14.00 ft
The Water Plant takes precautions on water well pump houses west of the Arkansas River.
- 21.00 ft
Preperations are made to close West 166 Highway. Stop-logs are installed on West Madison Avenue at the levee.
- 27.00 ft
Preparations are made to install Stop logs at Highway 77 on Summit Street Bridge at the levee.
- 35.00 ft
Water begins to overtop the levee.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Arkansas River flooding at Arkansas City?
No. The Arkansas River at Arkansas City is at 3.51 ft, 5.49 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Arkansas City?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 9 ft, minor flooding 11 ft, moderate flooding 17 ft and major flooding 21 ft.
What is the highest the Arkansas River has been at Arkansas City?
The highest crest on record is 20.91 ft, on 2019-05-09.
Is the Arkansas River high or low right now at Arkansas City?
At 3.51 ft it is higher than 36% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge ARCK1); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 07146500). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.