Smoky Hill River at Elkader water level

What this means

The Smoky Hill River at Elkader is well above normal at 4.63 ft.

That puts it 0.98 ft above the median of 3.65 ft for mid-October, based on 31 years of readings. It is 4.37 ft below the flood stage of 9.00 ft. The record high is 15.20 ft, set on May 30, 1938.

The level has held steady over the past 24 hours. In the last month it has stayed between 4.42 ft and 6.01 ft.

That stands out in fall, when many rivers are usually near their lowest.

Compared with 31 years of daily readings for this time of year. How to read levels

Key numbers

Median for this date

3.65 ft0.98 ft above the median for this date

Normal for this date

3.25 ft – 4.24 ft8 years in 10 fall in this range (31 years of records)

Lowest and highest in 30 days

4.42 ft – 6.01 ft

Lowest and highest in 12 months

3.93 ft – 6.99 ft

Highest on record

15.20 ftMay 30, 1938