2026-03-05T18:00:00-07:00
The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Fire Weather Watch for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect Thursday afternoon. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 241, 245, 246 and 247. * TIMING...Thursday afternoon. * WINDS...South 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 35 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 10 percent. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a spark and start a wildfire.
Summary
Total streamflow across the
Wakarusa River
was last observed at
133
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
264
acre-ft of water today; about 235%
of normal.
River levels are high.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
57 cfs,
with recent peaks last observed
on
2025-06-04 when daily discharge volume was observed at
5,670 cfs.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
Wakarusa R Nr Richland
reporting a streamflow rate of 133 cfs.
This is also the highest stage along the Wakarusa River, with a gauge stage of
4.78 ft at this location.
This river is monitored from 2 different streamgauging stations along the Wakarusa River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 898 ft, the
Wakarusa R Nr Richland.
15-Day Weather Outlook
River Details
| Last Updated | 2026-03-03 |
| Discharge Volume | 264 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
133.0 cfs
+106.2 cfs (+396.27%) |
| Percent of Normal | 234.98% |
| Maximum |
5,670.0 cfs
2025-06-04 |
| Seasonal Avg | cfs |
River Streamflow Levels
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Wakarusa R Nr Richland
USGS 06891260 |
133 cfs | 4.78 ft | 981.3 | |||||
|
Wakarusa R Nr Lawrence
USGS 06891500 |
39 cfs | 4.71 ft | 165.52 |
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile
The river's headwaters are located in Douglas County, and it flows through Shawnee and Osage Counties before joining the Kansas River. The river has a history of flooding, which has been mitigated through the construction of various reservoirs and dams, including the Clinton Lake and the Pomona Lake. The river's hydrology has been affected by agricultural practices, such as the conversion of wetlands to farmland, and by urban expansion. The river is important for recreational activities, including fishing and boating, and for agricultural uses, such as irrigation and livestock watering. However, water quality and quantity issues have been a concern for these uses.