Ponca Creek at Verdel water level
River gauge, Ponca Creek, Nebraska, United States
Right now
Normal for mid-October
Water level
- Flow
- 9.1 cfs
History
20252026
What this means
Ponca Creek at Verdel is at 5.82 ft, in the normal range for mid-October.
That puts it 0.94 ft above the median of 4.89 ft for mid-October, based on 18 years of readings. It is 7.68 ft below the flood stage of 13.50 ft. A year ago it stood at 5.91 ft (−0.09 ft).
The level has held steady over the past 24 hours. In the last month it has stayed between 5.78 ft and 6.18 ft.
Fall is often low-water season on rivers, until steadier rain returns.
Compared with 18 years of daily readings for this time of year. How to read levels
Key numbers
- Median for this date
- 4.89 ft0.94 ft above the median for this date
- Normal for this date
- 3.86 ft – 7.06 ft8 years in 10 fall in this range (18 years of records)
- Same day last year
- 5.91 ft−0.09 ft
- Lowest and highest in 30 days
- 5.78 ft – 6.18 ft
- Lowest and highest in 12 months
- 5.50 ft – 7.26 ft
- Highest on record
- 18.26 ftMarch 14, 2019
Floating and fishing near Ponca Creek at Verdel
Normal flows mean predictable rapids and good access at most put-ins.
Flood stage here is 13.50 ft, 7.68 ft above the current reading. Beyond it, the National Weather Service also defines moderate and major flood stages.
What happens at each level
- 21.50 ft
- Water reaches the bottom of the Highway 12 bridge at the gauge.
- 17.00 ft
- Considerable flooding occurs within the defined reach.
- 16.00 ft
- Local levees along the river near Highway 12 begin to be overtopped.
- 15.00 ft
- Urban lowlands near Ponca Creek at Verdel and Lynch can flood.
- 13.50 ft
- At this level Rayder Swanson Road floods.
- 12.00 ft
- Minor rural lowlands begin to flood.
- 5.82 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: < 5 %.
| Rank | Level | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18.26 ft | March 14, 2019 |
| 2 | 17.30 ft | March 6, 1993 |
| 3 | 16.58 ft | March 4, 1994 |
| 4 | 16.27 ft | February 20, 1997 |
| 5 | 15.71 ft | June 23, 2024 |
| 6 | 15.39 ft | March 12, 2011 |
| 7 | 15.32 ft | February 16, 2017 |
| 8 | 15.29 ft | June 25, 2023 |
| 9 | 14.91 ft | June 10, 2020 |
| 10 | 14.82 ft | March 5, 2018 |
Weather at the gauge
The forecast is not available right now.
Map
Nearby gauges
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri River below Ponca Creek near VerdelRiver gauge, Missouri River | 21.28 ft | Normal | +0.63 ft | 4.9 mi |
| Niobrara River near VerdelRiver gauge, Niobrara River | 3.28 ft | Normal | −0.04 ft | 5.5 mi |
| Niobrara River at NiobraraRiver gauge, Niobrara River | 32.11 ft | High | ±0 | 7 mi |
| Missouri River at NiobraraRiver gauge, Missouri River | 17.16 ft | Low | +0.88 ft | 10 mi |
| Missouri River below GreenwoodRiver gauge, Missouri River | 24.77 ft | Normal | −0.68 ft | 11 mi |
| Bazile Creek near NiobraraRiver gauge, Bazile Creek | 1.96 ft | Low | +0.01 ft | 14 mi |
| Lewis and Clark Lake at SpringfieldRiver gauge, Lewis and Clark Lake | 9.50 ft | Normal | +0.26 ft | 15 mi |
| Howe Creek below Walker Draw near CenterRiver gauge, Howe Creek | 1.67 ft | Very low | −0.01 ft | 19 mi |
Questions and answers
How does Ponca Creek at Verdel compare with last year?
It is 0.09 ft lower than on the same day last year, when the reading was 5.91 ft.
What is flood stage for Ponca Creek at Verdel?
The official flood stage is 13.50 ft. The level is currently 7.68 ft below it.
What is a normal level for Ponca Creek at Verdel in mid-October?
The median for mid-October is 4.89 ft. In 8 years out of 10 the reading falls between 3.86 ft and 7.06 ft, based on 18 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 Ponca Creek at Verdel today?
On Oct 18, 2026, 02:15 AM CDT, the water level was 5.82 ft. Steady over the last 24 hours.
Is Ponca Creek at Verdel rising or falling?
Steady over the last 24 hours. Up 0.04 ft over the last 7 days.
Is the level of Ponca Creek at Verdel normal?
Normal for mid-October. Compared with 18 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:06453600(Agency page)- Coordinates
42.81086, -98.17540(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 | 5.82 ft | 2026-10-18 07:15 | Provisional |
| Flow | 9.1 cfs | 2026-10-18 07:15 | Provisional |
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How to cite
U.S. Geological Survey: Ponca Creek at Verdel (usgs:06453600). Accessed October 18, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/nebraska/ponca-creek-at-verdel
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