Garden City, Arkansas River

What happens at each level

1. 9.00 ft

   Expect near bankfull conditions along the lowest-lying areas of the Arkansas River outside of Garden City. In the city of Cimarron, the Arkansas River will begin to enter the southern part of the city park.

2. 10.00 ft

   The Arkansas River is mostly at bankfull stage between Lakin and Cimarron. Irrigation systems near the river bank are threatened.

3. 11.50 ft

   At 11.5 feet, the Arkansas River is at bankfull stage in Garden City.

4. 13.00 ft

   Expect inundations of one foot or more along either side of the Arkansas River upstream and downstream of Garden City as the river begins to move out of its main channel onto its first terrace. Cattle or livestock grazing in the immediate vicinity of the river may be endangered by the swiftly flowing waters.

5. 14.00 ft

   Expect inundations up to four feet or more along unleveed portions of the Arkansas River as the river moves out of the main channel farther out onto the adjacent floodplain. Irrigation systems near the river may be threatened by floating debris or the washing out of sandy soil. In Garden City, inundation of the lowest portions of south River Road west of Hwy 283, as well as Burnside Drive will initiate if the river stage rises between 15 to 16 feet.

6. 15.00 ft

   In Garden City, the blacktop road south of the Arkansas River will be close to overflowing. Expect inundations of 5 feet or more along unleveed portions of the Arkansas River outside of Garden City. Move livestock well away from river.

7. 16.00 ft

   Floodwaters will rise into Finnup Park, Lee Richardson Zoo, and the Finney County Fairgrounds. Some street flooding and yard flooding will occur along Burnside Drive. South of the Arkansas River and east of Highway 83, the lowest portions of south River Road will be overtopped by rapidly moving water, as will other low-lying portions of roads along the Arkansas River between Lakin and Cimarron.

8. 17.00 ft

   The Fairgrounds, Finnup park and Lee Richardson Zoo will be inundated with 1 to 2 feet of water. Roads along the Arkansas River up and downstream from Lakin to Cimarron will be flooded in many areas.

9. 19.00 ft

   Floodwaters will extend to Maple Street in southern Garden City... And some houses will be partly submerged with 2 to 3 feet of water. Bridge approaches adjacent to the Arkansas River will be flooded with 1 to 2 feet of water. Residences along Burnside Drive will be flooded. Flooding will also reach into southern parts of Holcomb, south of the railroad tracks.

10. 22.50 ft

    Water surface elevation will reach low bridge steel of U.S. highway 83 - business district.

Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.