River stage
Manhattan, Kansas River
- River level
- 8.81 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- -2.05 ft
- Recent high
- 12.71 ft
- Recent low
- 5.11 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS MHKK1
- 30-day change
- +3.55 ft
- Average
- 7.14 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 40.00 ft
In brief
The Kansas River at Manhattan, KS read 8.81 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 5.19 ft below action stage. That is 3.55 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge MHKK1
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 40.00 ft | 1844-06-01 |
| 2 | 33.39 ft | 1951-07-13 |
| 3 | 29.92 ft | 1993-07-25 |
| 4 | 29.84 ft | 1951-07-15 |
| 5 | 26.76 ft | 1951-06-29 |
| 6 | 25.22 ft | 1951-06-24 |
| 7 | 23.04 ft | 1951-06-09 |
| 8 | 23.00 ft | 1950-07-20 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 18.00 ft
Low lands along the river flood.
- 26.00 ft
Hunter's Island begins to flood.
- 28.00 ft
Flood waters reach the top of the levee on the south bank of the river.
- 36.00 ft
Flood waters reach the top of levee protecting the city of Manhattan.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Kansas River flooding at Manhattan?
No. The Kansas River at Manhattan is at 8.81 ft, 5.19 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Manhattan?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 14 ft, minor flooding 18 ft, moderate flooding 26 ft and major flooding 42 ft.
What is the highest the Kansas River has been at Manhattan?
The highest crest on record is 40.0 ft, on 1844-06-01.
Is the Kansas River high or low right now at Manhattan?
At 8.81 ft it is higher than 78% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge MHKK1); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 06879820). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.