Arkansas River At Great Bend flow report
As of July 14, 2026, Arkansas River At Great Bend is flowing at 81 cfs with a gage height of 1.76 ft, receding 10% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #07141300, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Arkansas River At Great Bend at a glance
How Arkansas River At Great Bend is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Arkansas River At Great Bend is flowing at 81 cfs, with the water sitting 1.76 ft at the gage. Flow is down 10% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #07141300 in Kansas. Over the past 10 days the average has been 161 cfs, peaking at 360 cfs.
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
Over the next 5 days, Arkansas R At Great Bend is expected to recede from today's 81 cfs, toward roughly 65 cfs by 2026-07-19 (likely range 14-302 cfs) -- about normal for the date.
Powered by PULSE — Snoflo’s forecast engine, trained on this gauge’s full record of storms, snowmelt, and dry spells.
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 Great Bend
There are no major dams or tributaries directly impacting this gauge. Seasonally, the flow tends to be highest in the spring due to snowmelt and lower in the summer and fall. The hydrology of the Arkansas River in this area is significant because it is an important source of water for irrigation and drinking for many communities in Kansas. Additionally, this area is a popular destination for kayaking and fishing.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Arkansas River At Great Bend's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Arkansas R At Great Bend | 81 cfs |
| Walnut C Blw Cheyenne Btms Dv Nr Great Bend | 3 cfs |
| Walnut C At Albert | 21 cfs |
| Arkansas R Nr Larned | 82 cfs |
| Rattlesnake C Nr Zenith | 6 cfs |
| Smoky Hill R Nr Russell | 110 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Arkansas River At Great Bend. 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 |
|---|---|
| Ellsworth | 0 in |
| Hays Water Plant | 0 in |
| Hays Experimental Station | 0 in |
| Kanapolis Lake-Smoky Hill R | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Arkansas River At Great Bend.
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 Great Bend 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 Great Bend crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Arkansas River At Great Bend
Where does the streamflow data for Arkansas River At Great Bend come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 07141300. 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 Great Bend 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 Great Bend report
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