River stage
Lyons, Cow Creek
- River level
- 3.54 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- -0.45 ft
- Recent high
- 14.92 ft
- Recent low
- 3.47 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS LYNK1
- 30-day change
- +0.07 ft
- Average
- 4.10 ft
- Readings
- 119
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 22.75 ft
In brief
The Cow Creek at Lyons, KS read 3.54 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 12.46 ft below action stage. That is 0.07 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge LYNK1
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 22.75 ft | 1929-07-11 |
| 2 | 20.49 ft | 1941-10-20 |
| 3 | 20.38 ft | 1973-09-26 |
| 4 | 20.35 ft | 2007-05-07 |
| 5 | 19.95 ft | 1950-08-01 |
| 6 | 19.82 ft | 2018-10-10 |
| 7 | 19.60 ft | 1974-04-22 |
| 8 | 19.45 ft | 2019-05-09 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 14.50 ft
Overflows occur and flow through culverts that are located both north and south of the gage.
- 15.00 ft
The right bank begins to overflow but is only in low areas near the gage. Some minor flooding of lowland agricultural areas is likely.
- 17.00 ft
The banks begin to overflow at the gage site. Some minor flooding of lowland agricultural areas is likely and some blacktop county roads southeast of Lyons will take on areas of water to a depth less than 10 inches.
- 17.50 ft
Possible flooding of low-lying roads 6 miles southeast of Lyons along county roads affecting 20th Road between Avenue R and Avenue S and on 22nd Road between Avenue Q and Avenue V. Expect possible road closures at these sites. Flooding depends on other surrounding tributary creeks running full.
- 18.00 ft
Some flooding of low-lying areas and bottom land agricultural areas occurs, especially along the right bank. Possible flooding of county roads 6 miles southeast of Lyons may take place on sections of 20th Road and on 22nd Road.
- 18.50 ft
Flooding begins around the highway 14 river bridge, located just south of Avenu O. Or 0.7 miles upstream from the gage site.
- 18.80 ft
The county road that is 1000 feet south of gaging site along the right bank begins to flood.
- 20.00 ft
The few residentail homes along Highway 14 just south of Avenue O may take on 2 ft of water. Some low spots on Highway 14 may become flooded.
- 22.00 ft
Extensive flooding of low-lying areas and bottom land will occur. The Missouri Pacific Railroad tracks flood near Lyons.
- 24.70 ft
Widespread flooding of agricultural land and some county roads can be expected. The railroad bridge where the gage is located just 1 mile southeast of Avenue O and K96, will begin to flood. The railroad bridge may cause some restriction of flow of the Cow Creek and cause water to back up into the lands upstream in the vicinity of Highway 14.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Cow Creek flooding at Lyons?
No. The Cow Creek at Lyons is at 3.54 ft, 12.46 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Lyons?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 16 ft, minor flooding 18 ft, moderate flooding 22 ft and major flooding 24.7 ft.
What is the highest the Cow Creek has been at Lyons?
The highest crest on record is 22.75 ft, on 1929-07-11.
Is the Cow Creek high or low right now at Lyons?
At 3.54 ft it is higher than 16% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge LYNK1); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 07143300). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.