River stage
Waterloo, Elkhorn River
- River level
- 2.06 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- -0.31 ft
- Recent high
- 5.41 ft
- Recent low
- 1.17 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS WTRN1
- 30-day change
- +0.59 ft
- Average
- 2.07 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 24.68 ft
In brief
The Elkhorn River at Waterloo, NE read 2.06 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 9.94 ft below action stage. That is 0.59 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge WTRN1
Water 65 °F (18 °C) · 6 °F warmer than normal for this date · -8 °F in 24 hours
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 24.68 ft | 2019-03-16 |
| 2 | 19.12 ft | 1962-03-29 |
| 3 | 19.11 ft | 1960-04-02 |
| 4 | 18.77 ft | 2010-06-14 |
| 5 | 18.22 ft | 1971-02-22 |
| 6 | 18.12 ft | 1984-06-18 |
| 7 | 17.80 ft | 1967-06-16 |
| 8 | 17.44 ft | 1978-03-21 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 4.00 ft
At this level the Papio NRD closes the following river access sites: Elkhorn Crossing, near West Maple Road, near West Dodge Road, and West Center Road.
- 8.00 ft
The City of Waterloo closes flood gates.
- 12.50 ft
Water begins to impact the Elkhorn Crossing campground near 252nd Street and Bennington Road.
- 14.00 ft
Along this stretch of the river low-lying flooding is ongoing or close to starting.
- 15.00 ft
Between Highway 36 and Waterloo some roads near the river may be closed.
- 17.00 ft
King Lake just upstream of Waterloo is threatened.
- 18.00 ft
The state highway approaches from Highway 36 north to Highway 30 and Highway 91 will be threatened.
- 29.00 ft
Water nears the top of the federal levee.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Elkhorn River flooding at Waterloo?
No. The Elkhorn River at Waterloo is at 2.06 ft, 9.94 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Waterloo?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 12 ft, minor flooding 14 ft, moderate flooding 18 ft and major flooding 21 ft.
What is the highest the Elkhorn River has been at Waterloo?
The highest crest on record is 24.68 ft, on 2019-03-16.
Is the Elkhorn River high or low right now at Waterloo?
At 2.06 ft it is higher than 51% of readings over the last 122 days.
How warm is the water at Waterloo, Elkhorn River?
The water temperature at Waterloo, Elkhorn River is 65 °F (18.1 °C), measured 7:15 pm by USGS, which is 6 °F warmer than normal for this date over the past ten years. It has fallen 8.3 °F in the last 24 hours.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge WTRN1); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 06800500). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.