Water level map provided by the National Weather Service.
Jillian Rodrigue, assistant director of Douglas County Emergency Management drops a plumb line gauge into the Kansas River to measure the river's flood stage Thursday, June 2, 2011. The county will take measurements every four hours until Saturday morning to monitor the river level. Rodrigue measured the river level at 15-feet, 8-inches at 2:30 p.m., up from 15-feet, 3.5-inches at 10:30 a.m.
The Kansas River reached flood stage in Lawrence Friday morning but the water level is expected to decline tonight or Saturday morning, according to officials at Douglas County Emergency Management. However, the flood warning will remain in effect until Saturday afternoon.
On Friday morning, Lawrence city leaders closed Burcham Park, Riverfront Park, as well as the lower portions of Constant Park, because the Kansas River breached its banks. At 10:30 a.m., the Kansas River was at 18 feet 4.2 inches, with a projected crest of 18 feet 7 inches later Friday or Saturday morning.
At that height, Burcham Park on the south side of the river and lowlands on the north side of the river outside the levee would likely see flooding.
The Kansas River at Lecompton has also reached its flood stage level of 17 feet. The river is currently above 18 feet, but is expected to start declining today, according to the National Weather Service.
Jillian Rodrigue, assistant director of Douglas County Emergency Management, warned of possible flash flooding on roads and urged residents to monitor local media outlets and weather radios in case the forecast changes. She said people shouldn’t go down to the river or play in flood waters, as the river banks can become unstable during a flood.
Douglas County Emergency Management sends out frequent updates on Twitter @dgcoem.
Comments
jenniflip 1 year, 11 months ago
Have they already closed it? I saw three people sitting right next to the water in the park a little over an hour ago. The river is already high. Flood waters are nothing to trifle with.
jackpot 1 year, 11 months ago
Not to be picky but "The Kansas River is expected to reach flood stage in Lawrence Friday and Saturday, according to officials at Douglas County Emergency Management." What is flood stage?
BruceWayne 1 year, 11 months ago
17 feet...the Kansas City media oulets have been covering this for 12 hours.
Jonathan Kealing 1 year, 11 months ago
So have we. Actually, more like 24 hours.
monkeywrench1969 1 year, 11 months ago
It is currently up to the levy/bike trails
TJ_in_Lawrence 1 year, 11 months ago
Why do people constantly rag on the Journal World's reporting. I think they do a pretty good job of keeping up on things. Of course, if I was a self-absorbed know-it-all, I probably wouldn't think so.
Kontum1972 1 year, 11 months ago
hey Jillian...Mark Twainnnnnn
tu sabes?
yes they love raggin......probably unemployed.....
Liberty275 1 year, 11 months ago
Does anyone know if we are all going to die?
jlzack 1 year, 11 months ago
Eventually, yes....
beatnik 1 year, 11 months ago
yes, just not exactly when
somebodynew 1 year, 11 months ago
ILoveLawrence 1 year, 11 months ago
Um - get it right. They closed Burcham Park last (Thursday) night and the parks were already flooded at 8am this morning - ie update the part where it says "At that height, Burcham Park on the south side of the river and lowlands on the north side of the river outside the levee would likely see flooding." Would - already did! Updated photos would be good too - it's pretty awe-inspiring what nature can do!
RETICENT_IRREVERENT 1 year, 11 months ago
Is the KU boathouse safe?
ILoveLawrence 1 year, 11 months ago
At 8:30 am the water was up to the concrete "apron" but there was reportedly still about 1-1.5 feet before it would enter the building itself - therefore it should be safe at the current projected water levels. The structure is designed with small "flood doors" that can be opened if necessary to let water flow through.
Kontum1972 1 year, 11 months ago
the Rupture?
rockchalker52 1 year, 11 months ago
like!
LadyJ 1 year, 11 months ago
Darn, where is that flood insurance renewal notice, did I miss the due date?
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