Search
Menu

Explore

Hazards

Analysis

Rankings

Reference

Kansas River at Topeka

Highest listed crest 47.20 ftFlood stage 26.0 ft116 crests since 1844

The Kansas River at Topeka crested at major flood stage 1 time among the 116 crests the National Weather Service lists from 1844 to 2023. The highest, 47.20 ft on June 1, 1844, was major flooding, 21.20 feet above flood stage. 1 other gauge on the Kansas River crested above flood stage within a week of it, 1 at its own highest listed crest.

The gauge

Highest listed crest
47.20 ft
June 1, 1844
Flood stage
26.0 ft
Major flooding from 44.0 ft
Crests at major
1
51st of 171 gauges in Kansas
Most recent flood crest
June 24, 2019
27.15 ft, moderate flooding
Location
Shawnee County
Near Topeka (3.3 mi)

Flood stages

The thresholds the National Weather Service uses for this gauge today, and how many listed crests reached each.

Flood categories, Kansas River at Topeka
Action stage15.061May 31, 2022The level at which the NWS or its partners begin to take action
Flood stage (minor)26.03Nov 2, 1998Minimal or no property damage, but possibly some public threat
Moderate flood stage27.014Jun 24, 2019Some inundation of structures and roads near the stream
Major flood stage44.01Jun 1, 1844Extensive inundation of structures and roads

Every listed crest

116 crests from 1844 to 2023. Filled: at or above flood stage. Hover a crest for its date and stage.

Listed crests at the Kansas River at Topeka, 1844 to 2023 01020304050ft Flood stage 26.0 ftMajor 44.0 ft Jun 1, 1844: 47.20 ft, major floodingJun 9, 1908: 33.00 ft, moderate floodingJun 5, 1935: 32.70 ft, moderate flooding; 154,000 cubic feet per secondJun 12, 1941: 30.80 ft, moderate flooding; 102,000 cubic feet per secondJun 17, 1943: 31.80 ft, moderate flooding; 101,000 cubic feet per secondJun 30, 1951: 33.90 ft, moderate floodingJul 13, 1951: 40.80 ft, moderate flooding; 469,000 cubic feet per secondOct 6, 1966: 13.82 ft, below flood stage; 14,000 cubic feet per secondMar 8, 1967: 27.89 ft, moderate flooding; 88,900 cubic feet per secondAug 3, 1968: 21.17 ft, action stage; 40,400 cubic feet per secondJun 4, 1970: 23.70 ft, action stage; 57,200 cubic feet per secondMay 26, 1971: 20.00 ft, action stage; 37,700 cubic feet per secondMay 7, 1972: 13.34 ft, below flood stage; 14,000 cubic feet per secondSep 8, 1972: 20.18 ft, action stage; 38,500 cubic feet per secondNov 14, 1972: 13.49 ft, below flood stage; 14,300 cubic feet per secondDec 30, 1972: 18.59 ft, action stage; 31,400 cubic feet per secondJan 17, 1973: 16.05 ft, action stage; 22,300 cubic feet per secondJan 28, 1973: 12.78 ft, below flood stage; 12,200 cubic feet per secondFeb 2, 1973: 20.40 ft, action stage; 39,900 cubic feet per secondFeb 9, 1973: 14.23 ft, below flood stage; 17,000 cubic feet per secondFeb 25, 1973: 13.00 ft, below flood stage; 13,600 cubic feet per secondMar 7, 1973: 17.43 ft, action stage; 28,400 cubic feet per secondMar 11, 1973: 21.03 ft, action stage; 44,000 cubic feet per secondMar 31, 1973: 24.48 ft, action stage; 66,600 cubic feet per secondApr 6, 1973: 21.00 ft, action stage; 44,800 cubic feet per secondApr 16, 1973: 22.74 ft, action stage; 53,200 cubic feet per secondMay 1, 1973: 15.27 ft, action stage; 19,500 cubic feet per secondMay 7, 1973: 19.83 ft, action stage; 36,500 cubic feet per secondJun 4, 1973: 13.04 ft, below flood stage; 13,100 cubic feet per secondJun 16, 1973: 13.01 ft, below flood stage; 13,500 cubic feet per secondJul 21, 1973: 19.10 ft, action stage; 35,100 cubic feet per secondJul 25, 1973: 15.13 ft, action stage; 21,000 cubic feet per secondAug 9, 1973: 15.04 ft, action stage; 18,800 cubic feet per secondSep 23, 1973: 18.00 ft, action stage; 32,000 cubic feet per secondSep 27, 1973: 26.83 ft, minor flooding; 82,300 cubic feet per secondOct 12, 1973: 32.29 ft, moderate flooding; 130,000 cubic feet per secondDec 4, 1973: 16.04 ft, action stage; 46,700 cubic feet per secondDec 28, 1973: 13.99 ft, below flood stage; 17,000 cubic feet per secondJan 30, 1974: 14.35 ft, below flood stage; 20,000 cubic feet per secondFeb 7, 1974: 14.39 ft, below flood stage; 20,100 cubic feet per secondApr 21, 1974: 17.07 ft, action stage; 30,000 cubic feet per secondApr 30, 1974: 16.78 ft, action stage; 28,800 cubic feet per secondMay 17, 1974: 13.06 ft, below flood stage; 15,500 cubic feet per secondMay 23, 1974: 13.93 ft, below flood stage; 18,500 cubic feet per secondJun 9, 1974: 21.23 ft, action stage; 49,200 cubic feet per secondApr 19, 1975: 13.22 ft, below flood stage; 16,000 cubic feet per secondJun 4, 1975: 13.91 ft, below flood stage; 18,400 cubic feet per secondJun 11, 1975: 20.00 ft, action stage; 43,000 cubic feet per secondJun 17, 1975: 14.01 ft, below flood stage; 18,300 cubic feet per secondJun 23, 1975: 18.35 ft, action stage; 35,600 cubic feet per secondJun 27, 1975: 15.54 ft, action stage; 23,900 cubic feet per secondJul 7, 1975: 14.54 ft, below flood stage; 20,100 cubic feet per secondApr 21, 1976: 16.23 ft, action stage; 26,000 cubic feet per secondApr 25, 1976: 13.70 ft, below flood stage; 17,200 cubic feet per secondApr 30, 1976: 15.38 ft, action stage; 23,000 cubic feet per secondMay 7, 1976: 18.26 ft, action stage; 34,800 cubic feet per secondNov 9, 1977: 13.91 ft, below flood stage; 17,100 cubic feet per secondMar 19, 1978: 14.42 ft, below flood stage; 18,900 cubic feet per secondMar 26, 1978: 14.70 ft, below flood stage; 19,800 cubic feet per secondApr 1, 1978: 14.70 ft, below flood stage; 19,800 cubic feet per secondApr 23, 1978: 12.11 ft, below flood stage; 12,100 cubic feet per secondMay 8, 1978: 12.14 ft, below flood stage; 12,200 cubic feet per secondMar 3, 1979: 19.41 ft, action stage; 39,000 cubic feet per secondMar 10, 1979: 15.82 ft, action stage; 23,800 cubic feet per secondMar 19, 1979: 19.21 ft, action stage; 38,000 cubic feet per secondMar 24, 1979: 20.31 ft, action stage; 43,400 cubic feet per secondMar 29, 1979: 20.38 ft, action stage; 43,800 cubic feet per secondApr 21, 1979: 12.92 ft, below flood stage; 14,200 cubic feet per secondJul 8, 1979: 12.23 ft, below flood stage; 12,400 cubic feet per secondJul 18, 1979: 13.56 ft, below flood stage; 16,100 cubic feet per secondJul 25, 1979: 13.99 ft, below flood stage; 17,400 cubic feet per secondMar 31, 1980: 24.55 ft, action stage; 66,900 cubic feet per secondJul 27, 1981: 17.89 ft, action stage; 32,000 cubic feet per secondJun 9, 1982: 26.86 ft, minor flooding; 72,400 cubic feet per secondApr 2, 1983: 20.51 ft, action stage; 42,100 cubic feet per secondJun 10, 1984: 25.64 ft, action stage; 69,400 cubic feet per secondOct 10, 1985: 23.81 ft, action stage; 54,600 cubic feet per secondMay 28, 1987: 23.56 ft, action stage; 57,800 cubic feet per secondApr 2, 1988: 10.96 ft, below flood stage; 10,900 cubic feet per secondSep 9, 1989: 23.93 ft, action stage; 59,600 cubic feet per secondAug 17, 1990: 17.33 ft, action stage; 31,200 cubic feet per secondJul 23, 1992: 25.58 ft, action stage; 43,800 cubic feet per secondApr 27, 1993: 15.26 ft, action stage; 24,100 cubic feet per secondMay 9, 1993: 27.37 ft, moderate floodingJul 24, 1993: 34.97 ft, moderate flooding; 170,000 cubic feet per secondOct 1, 1993: 14.04 ft, below flood stageMay 18, 1995: 27.52 ft, moderate floodingMay 24, 1995: 29.40 ft, moderate floodingMay 27, 1996: 19.52 ft, action stage; 44,400 cubic feet per secondApr 11, 1997: 20.49 ft, action stage; 48,800 cubic feet per secondApr 3, 1998: 18.41 ft, action stage; 37,700 cubic feet per secondNov 2, 1998: 26.43 ft, minor flooding; 79,200 cubic feet per secondMar 27, 2000: 11.04 ft, below flood stage; 12,800 cubic feet per secondJun 21, 2001: 19.74 ft, action stage; 44,800 cubic feet per secondMay 12, 2002: 11.05 ft, below flood stage; 12,900 cubic feet per secondApr 25, 2003: 9.22 ft, below flood stage; 8,410 cubic feet per secondMar 5, 2004: 16.00 ft, action stage; 29,700 cubic feet per secondJun 5, 2005: 24.22 ft, action stage; 67,600 cubic feet per secondOct 3, 2005: 17.82 ft, action stage; 18,000 cubic feet per secondMay 7, 2007: 28.69 ft, moderate flooding; 91,600 cubic feet per secondJun 20, 2008: 18.08 ft, action stage; 36,600 cubic feet per secondApr 27, 2009: 22.96 ft, action stage; 58,700 cubic feet per secondJun 17, 2010: 19.50 ft, action stage; 43,100 cubic feet per secondJun 3, 2011: 25.53 ft, action stage; 71,600 cubic feet per secondOct 1, 2011: 10.89 ft, below flood stage; 13,400 cubic feet per secondAug 4, 2013: 14.23 ft, below flood stage; 24,600 cubic feet per secondJun 10, 2014: 17.09 ft, action stage; 35,000 cubic feet per secondJun 5, 2015: 25.90 ft, action stage; 75,000 cubic feet per secondMay 27, 2016: 25.94 ft, action stage; 81,100 cubic feet per secondApr 5, 2017: 19.37 ft, action stage; 46,100 cubic feet per secondSep 16, 2018: 12.16 ft, below flood stage; 17,200 cubic feet per secondJun 24, 2019: 27.15 ft, moderate flooding; 88,700 cubic feet per secondMay 26, 2020: 16.78 ft, action stage; 33,500 cubic feet per secondMay 17, 2021: 18.34 ft, action stage; 40,500 cubic feet per secondMay 31, 2022: 20.00 ft, action stage; 48,300 cubic feet per secondMay 31, 2023: 8.37 ft, below flood stage; 6,390 cubic feet per second Highest, 47.20 ft, Jun 1, 1844 1880192019602000

Crests at or above flood stage, by decade

Crests at or above flood stage per decade, Kansas River at Topeka 1840s: 1 1850s: 0 1860s: 0 1870s: 0 1880s: 0 1890s: 0 1900s: 1 1910s: 0 1920s: 0 1930s: 1 1940s: 2 1950s: 2 1960s: 1 1970s: 2 1980s: 1 1990s: 5 5 2000s: 1 2010s: 1 2020s: 0 1840s1860s1880s1900s1920s1940s1960s1980s2000s2020s
  1. These are the crests the local National Weather Service office lists for the gauge: the highest on record and recent crests. Lesser floods between them may be missing, so counts by decade are a floor.
  2. Categories use today's flood stages. Levees, dams and channel changes since a crest can make old and new stages not directly comparable.

Highest crests

The 50 highest of 116 listed crests.

Highest listed crests, Kansas River at Topeka
1Jun 1, 184447.20+21.20Major—
2Jul 13, 195140.80+14.80Moderate469,000
3Jul 24, 199334.97+8.97Moderate170,000
4Jun 30, 195133.90+7.90Moderate—
5Jun 9, 190833.00+7.00Moderate—
6Jun 5, 193532.70+6.70Moderate154,000
7Oct 12, 197332.29+6.29Moderate130,000
8Jun 17, 194331.80+5.80Moderate101,000
9Jun 12, 194130.80+4.80Moderate102,000
10May 24, 199529.40+3.40Moderate—
11May 7, 200728.69+2.69Moderate91,600
12Mar 8, 196727.89+1.89Moderate88,900
13May 18, 199527.52+1.52Moderate—
14May 9, 199327.37+1.37Moderate—
15Jun 24, 201927.15+1.15Moderate88,700
16Jun 9, 198226.86+0.86Minor72,400
17Sep 27, 197326.83+0.83Minor82,300
18Nov 2, 199826.43+0.43Minor79,200
19May 27, 201625.94−0.06Action81,100
20Jun 5, 201525.90−0.10Action75,000
21Jun 10, 198425.64−0.36Action69,400
22Jul 23, 199225.58−0.42Action43,800
23Jun 3, 201125.53−0.47Action71,600
24Mar 31, 198024.55−1.45Action66,900
25Mar 31, 197324.48−1.52Action66,600
26Jun 5, 200524.22−1.78Action67,600
27Sep 9, 198923.93−2.07Action59,600
28Oct 10, 198523.81−2.19Action54,600
29Jun 4, 197023.70−2.30Action57,200
30May 28, 198723.56−2.44Action57,800
31Apr 27, 200922.96−3.04Action58,700
32Apr 16, 197322.74−3.26Action53,200
33Jun 9, 197421.23−4.77Action49,200
34Aug 3, 196821.17−4.83Action40,400
35Mar 11, 197321.03−4.97Action44,000
36Apr 6, 197321.00−5.00Action44,800
37Apr 2, 198320.51−5.49Action42,100
38Apr 11, 199720.49−5.51Action48,800
39Feb 2, 197320.40−5.60Action39,900
40Mar 29, 197920.38−5.62Action43,800
41Mar 24, 197920.31−5.69Action43,400
42Sep 8, 197220.18−5.82Action38,500
43May 26, 197120.00−6.00Action37,700
44Jun 11, 197520.00−6.00Action43,000
45May 31, 202220.00−6.00Action48,300
46May 7, 197319.83−6.17Action36,500
47Jun 21, 200119.74−6.26Action44,800
48May 27, 199619.52−6.48Action44,400
49Jun 17, 201019.50−6.50Action43,100
50Mar 3, 197919.41−6.59Action39,000

The worst floods along the Kansas River

For this gauge's highest crests, the other gauges on the Kansas River that crested above flood stage within a week.

June 1, 1844: 47.20 ft here, major flooding

  • ManhattanKS · Jun 1, 1844 · 40.00 ft · Moderate · its highest

July 13, 1951: 40.80 ft here, moderate flooding

  • 23rd Street - Kansas City - KSKS · Jul 14, 1951 · 61.30 ft · Major · its highest
  • De SotoKS · Jul 13, 1951 · 37.30 ft · Major · its highest
  • Ft. RileyKS · Jul 13, 1951 · 34.50 ft · Major
  • LecomptonKS · Jul 13, 1951 · 30.23 ft · Major · its highest
  • LawrenceKS · Jul 13, 1951 · 29.90 ft · Major
  • ManhattanKS · Jul 13, 1951 · 33.39 ft · Moderate
  • WamegoKS · Jul 13, 1951 · 30.56 ft · Moderate · its highest

July 24, 1993: 34.97 ft here, moderate flooding

  • 23rd Street - Kansas City - KSKS · Jul 28, 1993 · 54.80 ft · Moderate
  • Turner BridgeKS · Jul 27, 1993 · 53.64 ft · Moderate · its highest
  • ManhattanKS · Jul 25, 1993 · 29.92 ft · Moderate
  • Ft. RileyKS · Jul 26, 1993 · 27.93 ft · Moderate
  • WamegoKS · Jul 26, 1993 · 27.33 ft · Moderate
  • LawrenceKS · Jul 27, 1993 · 26.80 ft · Moderate
  • LecomptonKS · Jul 27, 1993 · 24.65 ft · Moderate
  • De SotoKS · Jul 27, 1993 · 26.91 ft · Minor
  • BelvueKS · Jul 26, 1993 · 26.00 ft · Minor · its highest

Gauges on the Kansas River

Flood gauges sharing the river's name, linked within 80 miles of one another.

Flood gauges on the Kansas River
23rd Street - Kansas City - KSKS33.061.30 ft, Jul 14, 19511
De SotoKS26.037.30 ft, Jul 13, 19511
Ft. RileyKS21.034.50 ft, Jul 1, 19512
LawrenceKS18.029.90 ft, Jul 1, 18442
LecomptonKS17.030.23 ft, Jul 13, 19512
ManhattanKS18.040.00 ft, Jun 1, 18440
Topeka this gaugeKS26.047.20 ft, Jun 1, 18441
Turner BridgeKS41.053.64 ft, Jul 27, 19930
WamegoKS19.030.56 ft, Jul 13, 19510
BelvueKS20.026.00 ft, Jul 26, 19930
Lake QuiviraKS26.028.14 ft, May 28, 20160

Other gauges in Shawnee County

Flood gauges in Shawnee County
Rossville25.032.66 ft, Jun 9, 19823
Topeka16.023.28 ft, May 7, 20071
Topeka Gage Blvd15.019.70 ft, Jul 30, 20200
Topeka29.034.67 ft, Oct 2, 20050
Wakarusa15.028.60 ft, May 8, 20071

Shawnee County: every hazard · River floods across the country · Kansas

NOAA National Water Prediction Service, gauge TPAK1, retrieved October 30, 2026. Stages in feet on the gauge's own datum, not elevation. Crests are as the National Weather Service lists them; preliminary values may be revised.