USGS Streamgage 06862500
Smoky Hill River near Ellis, KS
Smoky Hill River near Ellis, KS is USGS streamgage 06862500, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 10260006. It drains a watershed of about 5,630 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1941. Typical flow runs near 57.9 cfs in July and 28.6 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in July.
Gauge details
- Drainage area
- 5,630 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 2,008 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 10260006
- Coordinates
- 38.76863, -99.56004
- USGS site number
- 06862500
- Records begin
- 1941-12-17 (85 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 72 years of data), averaged within each month. These describe the historical normal range — they are not a forecast and not today's reading.
| Month | Low p10 | Typical p50 | High p90 | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1.7 | 8.5 | 67.8 | |
| February | 2.1 | 25.1 | 376.7 | |
| March | 5.6 | 29.8 | 273.9 | |
| April | 3.8 | 28.6 | 542 | |
| May | 4 | 62.4 | 806.4 | |
| June | 5 | 83.7 | 1,300.4 | |
| July | 4.9 | 57.9 | 1,564.6 | |
| August | 1.7 | 40.8 | 1,803.9 | |
| September | 1.4 | 19.4 | 712.5 | |
| October | 1 | 13.6 | 1,184.6 | |
| November | 1.8 | 9.3 | 145.6 | |
| December | 0.7 | 10.3 | 60.4 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Smoky Hill River near Ellis, KS normally run highest?
- June, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 83.7 cfs, against 8.5 cfs in January, the lowest month. These are historical normals for the date, not a forecast and not today's reading.
- What is a normal flow for Smoky Hill River near Ellis, KS?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 8.5 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 1.7 and 67.8 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Smoky Hill River near Ellis, KS been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 06862500 begin in 1941, about 85 years, covering roughly 52 days of published daily values. The long record is what makes the monthly percentiles on this page meaningful.
- Where is Smoky Hill River near Ellis, KS?
- The gauge sits at 38.76863, -99.56004, in hydrologic subbasin 10260006, at an elevation of about 2,008 feet, draining roughly 5,630 square miles.
- Can I use Smoky Hill River near Ellis, KS data for flood or safety decisions?
- No. Rivermatics provides estimates, not guarantees, and the readings and forecasts here may be delayed, inaccurate, or wrong. Do not use them for navigation or for any safety, rescue, or emergency decision. Check the National Weather Service and USGS directly, and use your own judgment.