Arkansas River At Derby flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Arkansas River At Derby is flowing at 555 cfs with a gage height of 1.47 ft, receding 7% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #07144550, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Arkansas River At Derby at a glance
How Arkansas River At Derby is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Arkansas River At Derby is flowing at 555 cfs, with the water sitting 1.47 ft at the gage. Flow is down 7% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #07144550 in Kansas. Over the past 10 days the average has been 619 cfs, peaking at 700 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Arkansas R At Derby is expected to recede from today's 555 cfs, toward roughly 466 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 162-1340 cfs) -- drier than normal for the date.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Kansas flow report.
Streamflow Forecast
Powered by PULSE — Snoflo’s Predictive Unified Learning & Simulation Engine, which learns from how this river has answered every past storm, snowmelt, and dry spell to forecast where it’s headed with a precision generic models can’t match.
How does this compare to past years?
Year-over-year overlay, annual peak discharge, the full distribution of daily flows on record, and the gauge's rating curve.
Weather Forecast
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day forecast
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Arkansas River At Derby
The river also receives water from several tributaries, including the Little Arkansas River and the Walnut River. The river is regulated by several dams, including the El Dorado Dam, which can affect the flow and water quality downstream. Seasonal trends show that the river typically experiences higher flows in the spring due to snowmelt and precipitation, and lower flows in the summer months. However, the river can also experience flash floods during heavy rain events. Interestingly, the Arkansas River is one of the longest rivers in the United States, stretching over 1,450 miles from Colorado to Arkansas.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Arkansas River At Derby's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Arkansas R At Derby | 555 cfs |
| Arkansas R At Wichita | 490 cfs |
| Ninnescah R Nr Peck | 1,200 cfs |
| Floodway At Arkansas R At Wichita | 0 cfs |
| Cowskin C At 119th St At Wichita | 2 cfs |
| Arkansas R Nr Maize | 485 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Arkansas River At Derby. Spring snowmelt is the dominant driver of streamflow in mountain basins -- a deep snowpack upstream means more runoff later in the season.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack |
|---|---|
| Kansas State Uni.Horticulture Ctr | 0 in |
| Wichita | 0 in |
| Kingman | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Arkansas River At Derby.
Boat launches
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River levels & flood safety
- Read the level before you go
- A river that's runnable at one flow can be deadly at another. Check current discharge and gage height — like the values shown above — against the flood-stage thresholds, and remember levels can spike fast after rain or a dam release.
- Respect cold water
- Snowmelt rivers run cold even in summer. Sudden immersion triggers cold-water shock and saps strength within minutes. Wear a PFD, dress for the water temperature (not the air), and never wade or paddle alone.
- Watch for swiftwater hazards
- Strainers (downed trees), undercut rocks, and low-head dams are the deadliest features on moving water. High, fast, muddy water hides them. If in doubt, scout from shore and portage.
- Mind flash floods & releases
- Narrow canyons can flood from a storm miles upstream, and dam-controlled reaches can rise without warning. Know the forecast, the release schedule, and your exit before you launch.
Track Arkansas River At Derby in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Arkansas River At Derby crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Arkansas River At Derby
Where does the streamflow data for Arkansas River At Derby come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 07144550. Snoflo refreshes the time series throughout the day. Forecasts come from the NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
USGS gauges report continuously (typically every 15 minutes). Snoflo pulls fresh values throughout the day — look for the "as of" timestamp on the streamflow hero card.
What's the difference between discharge and gage height?
Discharge (cubic feet per second, or cfs) is the volume of water flowing past the gauge each second. Gage height is how high the water sits at the gauge (feet). They're related by a rating curve specific to each gauge — higher water means more flow, but the exact ratio depends on channel shape.
How is "percent of median" calculated?
Today's discharge is compared to the historical median discharge on this calendar day across the gauge's full record. 100% = right on median; 200% = a very high year; 30% = a drought-level low.
What are flood stages, and is this river safe right now?
Flood stages are NWS-defined gage-height thresholds — Action, Minor, Moderate, Major — marking when nearby roads or floodplains start to be affected. "Safe" depends on your activity and skill: a level that's a fun paddle for an expert can be lethal for a wader. Always check the current level against the thresholds above and the safety links, and when in doubt, stay off the water.
Can I get alerts when Arkansas River At Derby rises?
Yes — flow alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this gauge, set a streamflow threshold (e.g. "alert me when discharge crosses 5,000 cfs"), and you'll get a push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
Access the free Arkansas River At Derby report
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