River stage
Topeka, Kansas River
- River level
- 12.64 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- +1.99 ft
- Recent high
- 20.71 ft
- Recent low
- 5.80 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS TPAK1
- 30-day change
- +6.73 ft
- Average
- 9.31 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 47.20 ft
In brief
The Kansas River at Topeka, KS read 12.64 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 2.36 ft below action stage. That is 6.73 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge TPAK1
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 47.20 ft | 1844-06-01 |
| 2 | 40.80 ft | 1951-07-13 |
| 3 | 34.97 ft | 1993-07-24 |
| 4 | 33.90 ft | 1951-06-30 |
| 5 | 33.00 ft | 1908-06-09 |
| 6 | 32.70 ft | 1935-06-05 |
| 7 | 32.29 ft | 1973-10-12 |
| 8 | 31.80 ft | 1943-06-17 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 23.00 ft
Overflow of low-lying rural areas begins west of topeka.
- 26.00 ft
River Road under the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad bridge begins to flood.
- 37.00 ft
Flood waters reach base of stoplog gap across Union Pacific Railroad near Ward Martin Creek.
- 37.50 ft
Floodwaters overflow Union Pacific Railroad lifting bridge west of Topeka Blvd.
- 38.00 ft
Flood waters reach South Topeka Gap at Union Pacific Railroad bridge.
- 42.00 ft
Water tops the levees on north and south banks at the Sardou bridge.
- 43.00 ft
Floodwaters overflow West Waterworks levee top.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Kansas River flooding at Topeka?
No. The Kansas River at Topeka is at 12.64 ft, 2.36 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Topeka?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 15 ft, minor flooding 26 ft, moderate flooding 27 ft and major flooding 44 ft.
What is the highest the Kansas River has been at Topeka?
The highest crest on record is 47.2 ft, on 1844-06-01.
Is the Kansas River high or low right now at Topeka?
At 12.64 ft it is higher than 86% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge TPAK1); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 06889000). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.