Kansas · river
Smoky Hill River at Elkader
Live conditions for this USGS-monitored stretch of water, updated every 15 minutes.
Fair
Paddle Score, from live wind and water conditions
Live data sources are unreachable right now — showing representative sample conditions.
Wind
16 mph
gusting to 25 mph
Air temp
65°F
11% chance of rain
River flow
1,865 cfs
normal for this date
Best day to paddle this week
Thursday · 100
Today
70
70°
Wed
52
74°
Thu
100
75°
Best
Fri
66
71°
Sat
67
66°
Sun
95
65°
Mon
77
69°
Scored from each day's peak forecast wind, heat, and rain chance — river flow isn't forecastable, so check back before you load the boat.
Wind, next 12 hours
mph| Hour | Wind (mph) | Gusts (mph) |
|---|---|---|
| 11a | 16 | 25 |
| 12p | 14 | 22 |
| 1p | 16 | 22 |
| 2p | 15 | 24 |
| 3p | 14 | 23 |
| 4p | 14 | 22 |
| 5p | 13 | 19 |
| 6p | 13 | 18 |
| 7p | 13 | 18 |
| 8p | 11 | 18 |
| 9p | 10 | 15 |
| 10p | 9 | 14 |
Is this flow normal for September 8?
Today's 1,865 cfs is 9% above the median for this date — which counts as normal water here.
The median flow on this date is 1,705 cfs, across 67 years of USGS record at this gauge. Whether that is runnable depends on the stretch — this is context, not a recommendation.
Why this score
- Wind — 16 mph — hard work, whitecaps likely-34
We don't have launch notes for this one
This page is built from the USGS gauge at this location, so the flow and weather are real — but we haven't verified where to put in, what the hazards are, or whether this stretch is legal or sensible to paddle. We'd rather say that than invent it. The links below are where to find out.
We also don't have a verified safe-flow range here, so the Paddle Score reflects weather only. Judge the flow number against local knowledge, not against our score.
Do your own homework
We show you live conditions. For local knowledge — where to put in, what the hazards are, whether it's worth the drive — here's where paddlers actually talk about this water. We don't vet these sources; check the dates and judge for yourself.
- Paddler discussion on Reddit
Trip reports and local warnings, straight from the source
- Search American Whitewater
Rapid classifications and gauge-linked run descriptions
- Satellite view and access roads
Check parking, put-ins, and what the banks actually look like
- Video from this water
The fastest way to see the character of a run before you drive
- USGS gauge 06860000
Full hydrograph, historical flows, and station metadata