River stage
Derby, Arkansas River
- River level
- 0.72 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- -0.95 ft
- Recent high
- 8.89 ft
- Recent low
- 0.46 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS DRBK1
- 30-day change
- +0.22 ft
- Average
- 1.26 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 16.60 ft
In brief
The Arkansas River at Derby, KS read 0.72 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 9.28 ft below action stage. That is 0.22 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge DRBK1
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16.60 ft | 1998-11-02 |
| 2 | 16.19 ft | 1993-07-15 |
| 3 | 16.08 ft | 1993-05-09 |
| 4 | 15.87 ft | 1979-11-01 |
| 5 | 15.53 ft | 2019-05-25 |
| 6 | 15.51 ft | 1973-10-01 |
| 7 | 15.51 ft | 1973-03-31 |
| 8 | 15.47 ft | 1974-04-21 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 11.60 ft
The river starts to overflow its banks.
- 12.00 ft
The river will be out of its main channel and expand to a width near 600 feet wide. Expect flooding of low lying areas around the river. The Derby Park facility on the downstream east bank of the Market St bridge is inundated.
- 15.00 ft
Flooding of agricultural areas will occur. Flood waters begin to flow across Washington Street on the west side of the river bridge and over Tucker Lane on the downstream right bank of river.
- 15.50 ft
Tucker Lane on the downstream west bank of the river will be covered with 1 foot of water. Homes south of Tucker Lane begin to experience minor basement flooding. More agricultural fields will be flooded.
- 16.20 ft
Widespread flooding of low-lying areas and agricultural areas will result. Residents south of Tucker Lane may see flood waters impacting homes.
- 17.50 ft
Flood waters spread more over the east bank along with vast flooding of agricultural fields.
- 23.50 ft
Top of levee system.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Arkansas River flooding at Derby?
No. The Arkansas River at Derby is at 0.72 ft, 9.28 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Derby?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 10 ft, minor flooding 12 ft, moderate flooding 15 ft and major flooding 16.2 ft.
What is the highest the Arkansas River has been at Derby?
The highest crest on record is 16.6 ft, on 1998-11-02.
Is the Arkansas River high or low right now at Derby?
At 0.72 ft it is higher than 36% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge DRBK1); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 07144550). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.