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SwedenWhitewater River at Towanda water level
River gauge, Whitewater River, Kansas, United States
Right now
Normal for mid-October
Water level
- Flow
- 24.3 cfs
History
20252026
What this means
The gauge at Whitewater River at Towanda reads 1.73 ft, a normal level for mid-October.
The median for mid-October is 1.86 ft, based on 38 years of readings, so the river stage is 0.13 ft below typical. It is 20.27 ft below the flood stage of 22.00 ft. On the same day last year the reading was 1.84 ft, a difference of −0.11 ft.
The level is falling, down 0.06 ft over the past 24 hours. Over the past 30 days it has moved between 1.56 ft and 4.92 ft.
Fall is often low-water season on rivers, until steadier rain returns.
Compared with 38 years of daily readings for this time of year. How to read levels
Key numbers
- Median for this date
- 1.86 ft0.13 ft below the median for this date
- Normal for this date
- 1.43 ft – 3.17 ft8 years in 10 fall in this range (38 years of records)
- Same day last year
- 1.84 ft−0.11 ft
- Lowest and highest in 30 days
- 1.56 ft – 4.92 ft
- Lowest and highest in 12 months
- 1.55 ft – 17.33 ft
- Highest on record
- 30.54 ftNovember 1, 1998
What the stage means on the water
A normal level is usually prime time for floating and wade fishing, as long as the weather holds upstream.
The National Weather Service puts flood stage for this gauge at 22.00 ft, still 20.27 ft away.
What happens at each level
- 28.00 ft
- Water level reaches about 2 ft on property 1 mile upstream, on east side of the river around River Valley Road. More extensive flooding of cropland can be expected. Many county roads in low areas will be inundated near the vicinity of the river.
- 25.00 ft
- Flooding over cropland becomes more widespread. County roads flood at Southwest 40th Street on low spots near the river about 2 miles downstream of gage and along Southwest 60th Street just west of Fulton Road near the river located 4 miles south of Towanda. Further downstream, 5 miles south of Towanda, expect flooding across Southwest 70th Street near the river.
- 22.00 ft
- The river will be out of its banks on both sides. West bank overflows impact cropland mainly in low lying areas.
- 1.73 ft
- Right now
Impact statements from the U.S. National Weather Service.
Highest crests on record
Chance of at least minor flooding in October to December: 24 %.
| Rank | Level | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30.54 ft | November 1, 1998 |
| 2 | 29.73 ft | June 8, 1979 |
| 3 | 28.80 ft | June 4, 2025 |
| 4 | 28.50 ft | October 11, 1985 |
| 5 | 28.21 ft | October 10, 1985 |
| 6 | 28.04 ft | April 27, 2009 |
| 7 | 28.03 ft | May 8, 2019 |
| 8 | 28.02 ft | June 5, 1965 |
| 9 | 27.65 ft | June 9, 1995 |
| 10 | 26.86 ft | May 25, 2019 |
Weather at the gauge
The forecast is not available right now.
Map
Other gauges on the Whitewater River
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whitewater River at AugustaRiver gauge, Whitewater River | 3.69 ft | Low | −0.07 ft | 8 mi |
Nearby gauges
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wb Walnut River near El DoradoRiver gauge, Wb Walnut River | 5.65 ft | Below flood stage | −0.05 ft | 9 mi |
| Arkansas River at WichitaRiver gauge, Arkansas River | 2.72 ft | Low | −0.02 ft | 20 mi |
| Arkansas River near MaizeRiver gauge, Arkansas River | 4.62 ft | Low | −0.02 ft | 21 mi |
| Lake Arkansas River at Valley CenterRiver gauge, Lake Arkansas River | 1.19 ft | Normal | −0.06 ft | 21 mi |
| Arkansas River at DerbyRiver gauge, Arkansas River | 0.80 ft | Very low | −0.01 ft | 23 mi |
| Lake Arkansas River near SedgwickRiver gauge, Lake Arkansas River | 1.89 ft | Very low | −0.08 ft | 23 mi |
| Cowskin Creek at Kellogg St, WichitaRiver gauge, Cowskin Creek | 3.8 cfs | Normal | −0.9 cfs | 26 mi |
| Arkansas River at MulvaneRiver gauge, Arkansas River | 5.62 ft | Below flood stage | −0.05 ft | 26 mi |
Questions and answers
Is the Whitewater River at Towanda higher than last year?
No, it is 0.11 ft lower than on the same day last year, when the reading was 1.84 ft.
What is flood stage for the Whitewater River at Towanda?
The official flood stage is 22.00 ft. The level is currently 20.27 ft below it.
What is a normal level for the Whitewater River at Towanda in mid-October?
The median for mid-October is 1.86 ft. In 8 years out of 10 the reading falls between 1.43 ft and 3.17 ft, based on 38 years of records.
Is gage height the same as water depth?
No. Gage height is measured from a fixed reference point chosen by the agency, so a reading of 10 ft does not mean the river is 10 ft deep.
What is the water level of Whitewater River at Towanda today?
On Oct 19, 2026, 03:30 AM CDT, the water level was 1.73 ft. Down 0.06 ft over the last 24 hours.
Is Whitewater River at Towanda rising or falling?
Down 0.06 ft over the last 24 hours. Up 0.11 ft over the last 7 days.
Is the level of Whitewater River at Towanda normal?
Normal for mid-October. Compared with 38 years of daily readings for this time of year.
For specialists
Station codes, datum, parameters, data quality and downloads
- Operator
- U.S. Geological Survey
- Station code
usgs:07147070(Agency page)- Coordinates
37.79603, -97.01432(WGS84)- Vertical datum
- NAVD88
- Update interval
- every 15 minutes
- Licence
- Public domain. Data: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), provisional data subject to revision
Published series
| Parameter | Last value | Time (UTC) | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water level | 1.73 ft | 2026-10-19 08:30 | Provisional |
| Flow | 24.3 cfs | 2026-10-19 08:30 | Provisional |
Download
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How to cite
U.S. Geological Survey: Whitewater River at Towanda (usgs:07147070). Accessed October 19, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/kansas/whitewater-river-at-towanda
How we check values
Each reading is stored as published. We hold back values that jump faster than physically plausible and show the measurement time with every value.
Readings are provisional, can be delayed or wrong and are not a flood warning. Read the disclaimer