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Hydrograph River at a Glance Download
Cottonwood River at Cottonwood Falls Stage (ft)Flow (kcfs)CTWK1(plotting HGIRZ) Graph Created (6:38PM Apr 18, 2024)Flood Stage is 9 ft
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About this graph
Tabular Data (UTC)
Tabular Data (CDT)
XML Data
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Datum: NGVD29
Metadata
NOTE: Gauge reading only in high-water situations.

NOTE: River forecasts for this location take into account past and future precipitation. Forecast stages may be different if forecast future rainfall does not occur.

Reliability of the Forecast: Forecast data shown here are guidance values only. Please refer to your local NWS office.

NOTE: Forecasts for the Cottonwood River at Cottonwood Falls are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available.

Return to Area Map
Upstream Gauge - above Cottonwood Falls Upstream Gauge Downstream Gauge Downstream Gauge - near Plymouth
Flood Categories (in feet)
Major Flood Stage: 18
Moderate Flood Stage: 11
Flood Stage: 9
Action Stage: 7
Low Stage (in feet): -9999

Historic Crests
(1) 17.20 ft on 11/01/1998
(2) 16.40 ft on 06/30/1951
(3) 16.10 ft on 05/09/1993
(4) 16.00 ft on 04/23/1944
(5) 15.70 ft on 10/11/1985
Show More Historic Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Recent Crests
(1) 9.50 ft on 06/06/2022
(2) 10.30 ft on 07/31/2020
(3) 11.10 ft on 07/07/2019
(4) 10.60 ft on 06/25/2019
(5) 11.20 ft on 05/26/2019
Show More Recent Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Low Water Records
Currently none available.
Zoom Level:16
KML Image
Gauge LocationGauge Map Marker
 Disclaimer
Latitude/Longitude Disclaimer: The gauge location shown in the above map is the approximate location based on the latitude/longitude coordinates provided to the NWS by the gauge owner.
Flood Impacts & Photos Collapse
If you notice any errors in the below information, please contact our Webmaster
18 Major flooding of roads and homes in Cottonwood Falls and in Strong City occurs.
16 Flood waters draw near the Business District in Strong City. In Cottonwood Falls flood waters approach the Millstream Hotel basement floor.
15 Water covers railroad tracks at Strong City.
14 In Strong City flood waters cover Highway 177 in and around 2nd Street where this section of town sits lower in elevation. Expect Highway 177 to be closed from Cottonwood Falls to Strong City.
12.5 Highway 177 floods between Strong City and Cottonwood Falls. Flood waters spread out on the south side of Strong City impacting First Street and crossing over Highway 177.
12.3 Highway 177 begins to flood just north of the Cottonwood River bridge leading into Strong City.
12.2 Highway 177 begins to flood on the north side of the railroad tracks in Strong City.
12 Main Street, also known as Lake Road begins to floods in the low-lying area between Elmdale and Cottonwood Falls.
11 Flooding occurs at Bates Park in Cottonwood Falls and cropland along the river.
10 Water covers fields and some rural roads along the river. Low areas along the south bank at the gage site begin to flood.
9 Flooding of low-lying areas and cropland can be expected.
7 A small strip of land on the north bank begins to overflow.
Photos
(1) Looking upstream
(2) Looking downstream
(3) Low water dam
(4) Staff gages on north bank. Reads from 2 to 15 ft.
(5) Staff gage on south bank. Reads from 11 to 23 ft.
(6) Flooding in June 2005. River was at 10.7 ft in photo.
(7) Looking downstream, winter
About This Location Collapse

Latitude: 38.375500° N, Longitude: 96.541940° W, Horizontal Datum: NAD27

River Stage
Reference Frame		 Gauge Height Flood Stage Uses
NWS stage 0 ft 9 ft Interpreting hydrographs and NWS watch, warnings, and forecasts, and inundation maps
Vertical Datum Elevation
(gauge height = 0)		 Elevation
(gauge height = flood stage)		 Elevation information source
NAVD88 Not Available Not Available Survey grade GPS equipment, FEMA flood plain maps, newer USGS topographic maps
NGVD 29 1161.63 ft 1170.63 ft Older USGS topographic maps, NGVD29 benchmarks
MSL Not Available Not Available Older USGS topographic maps, MSL benchmarks
Other Not Available Not Available  
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Hydrologic Resources Additional Resources
Collaborative Agencies Collapse
The National Weather Service prepares its forecasts and other services in collaboration with agencies like the US Geological Survey, US Bureau of Reclamation, US Army Corps of Engineers, Natural Resource Conservation Service, National Park Service, ALERT Users Group, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and many state and local emergency managers across the country. For details, please click here.
NWS Information
National Weather Service
Wichita Weather Forecast Office
2142 South Tyler Road
Wichita, KS 67209
(316) 942-3102
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