Chattahoochee River at Atlanta, GA
USGS gauge 02336000 · drainage 1,450 sq mi · observed Oct 16, 9:45 PM EDT · 35 min old
Last 7 days Live gauge
Source: USGS Water Data API (continuous values), observed to Oct 16, 9:45 PM EDT. Shaded band: 25th to 75th percentile of USGS daily statistics for each date; dashed: median. Flow in cfs.
Rate of rise and fall Live gauge
| Window | Flow then | Change to latest | Gage height then | Gage height change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 h | 1,150 cfs | ▬ +0.00 cfs (+0.0%) | 3.05 ft | +0.00 ft |
| 3 h | 1,160 cfs | ▬ -10 cfs (-0.9%) | 3.06 ft | -0.01 ft |
| 6 h | 1,220 cfs | ▼ -70 cfs (-5.7%) | 3.12 ft | -0.07 ft |
| 12 h | 1,130 cfs | ▲ +20 cfs (+1.8%) | 3.03 ft | +0.02 ft |
| 24 h | 1,030 cfs | ▲ +120 cfs (+11.7%) | 2.92 ft | +0.13 ft |
Last 7 days
| Measure | Flow | Time | Relative to latest reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highest reading | 5,580 cfs | Oct 10, 6:00 PM EDT | 148 h earlier |
| Lowest reading | 1,010 cfs | Oct 15, 3:45 PM EDT | 30 h earlier |
Source: computed from USGS continuous readings (Water Data API) to Oct 16, 9:45 PM EDT. Each row compares the latest reading with the reading closest to that many hours earlier; the arrow is steady (▬) when the change is within 1%.
Daily mean flow Live gauge
| Date (gauge-local) | Mean flow | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 16, 2026 | 1,134 cfs | |
| Oct 15, 2026 | 1,041 cfs | |
| Oct 14, 2026 | 1,256 cfs | |
| Oct 13, 2026 | 1,447 cfs | |
| Oct 12, 2026 | 1,212 cfs | |
| Oct 11, 2026 | 2,789 cfs | |
| Oct 10, 2026 | 3,221 cfs | |
| Oct 9, 2026 | 1,142 cfs | |
| Oct 8, 2026 | – | Partial day |
Source: USGS Water Data API (continuous values); each mean uses readings on that gauge-local date, shown only with at least 80% of expected readings.
The same 50 days in earlier years Historical record
━ 2026 ╌ 2025 ╌ 2024 ╌ 2023
| Year | Mean flow | Highest day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1,432 cfs | 4,140 cfs |
| 2025 | 1,733 cfs | 2,950 cfs |
| 2024 | 2,020 cfs | 18,000 cfs |
| 2023 | 2,324 cfs | 7,730 cfs |
Source: USGS daily mean flows (Water Data API). Each line is the 50 days from Aug 27 to Oct 15, shifted to the same calendar dates in earlier years; gaps are days without a published value. Recent days are provisional.
Compared with this gauge’s record Historical record
| Measure | Value | When or rank |
|---|---|---|
| Peak daily flow, last 7 days | 3,310 cfs | Oct 10, 2026 |
| Last time daily flow was this high or higher | 4,140 cfs | Sep 12, 2026 (28 days earlier) |
| Last day above the 90th percentile for its date, before this peak | Sep 12, 2026 | 28 days earlier |
| Days above the 75th percentile for their date | 2 of 30 | last 30 days |
| October 1 to 15, mean flow | 1,503 cfs | rank 57 highest of 95 years |
| Peak daily mean compared with annual instantaneous peaks of record | Below the lowest of 96 | lowest annual peak 5,750 cfs |
Source: USGS daily mean flows (Water Data API), 1928 to 2026 (34,135 days), data through Oct 15, 2026, computed 2026-10-17; method record-v1. Percentiles are USGS daily statistics. Recent days are provisional.
Largest annual peaks Historical record
Ten largest peaks of record
| Date | Peak flow | Gage height at peak |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 10, 1919 | 64,000 cfs | 29.00 ft |
| Jan 9, 1946 | 59,000 cfs | 28.00 ft |
| Dec 29, 1901 | 47,500 cfs | – |
| Apr 1, 1886 | 47,000 cfs | – |
| Sep 22, 2009 | 40,900 cfs | 27.80 ft |
| Nov 28, 1948 | 34,400 cfs | 21.70 ft |
| Mar 13, 1952 | 34,400 cfs | 21.70 ft |
| Jan 22, 1947 | 29,800 cfs | 20.20 ft |
| Mar 30, 1977 | 28,900 cfs | 20.57 ft |
| Sep 28, 1929 | 28,700 cfs | 18.80 ft |
Five most recent annual peaks
| Date | Peak flow | Gage height at peak |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 13, 2025 | 12,700 cfs | 15.93 ft |
| Sep 27, 2024 | 21,000 cfs | 23.75 ft |
| Jan 4, 2023 | 14,500 cfs | 16.13 ft |
| Apr 5, 2022 | 9,880 cfs | 10.20 ft |
| Oct 11, 2020 | 22,100 cfs | 19.95 ft |
Source: USGS annual peak streamflow (Water Data API), 96 annual peaks, 1886 to 2025. A water year's peak is its highest instantaneous flow.
Historic crests Official NWS
| Date | Crest stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 9, 1919 | 29.00 ft | 64,000 cfs |
| Sep 21, 2009 | 28.12 ft | 59,534 cfs |
| Jan 8, 1946 | 28.00 ft | 59,000 cfs |
| Sep 27, 2024 | 23.75 ft | 41,611 cfs |
| Mar 17, 1990 | 23.03 ft | 25,100 cfs |
| Sep 17, 2004 | 22.60 ft | – |
| Apr 12, 1979 | 22.29 ft | 26,700 cfs |
| Nov 27, 1948 | 21.70 ft | 34,400 cfs |
| Mar 12, 1952 | 21.70 ft | 34,400 cfs |
| Feb 2, 1982 | 20.66 ft | 24,100 cfs |
Source: National Weather Service forecast point VING1 (Chattahoochee River at Atlanta), historic crests as published by the NWS; the NWS may have recorded them on an older gauge datum. The USGS annual peaks above are a separate record and can differ in date, flow and datum.
Gage height to flow rating Historical record
Line: current USGS rating, gage height (ft, horizontal) to flow (cfs, vertical). ● latest reading, 3.05 ft and 1,150 cfs.
Source: USGS rating table for the gauge (NWIS rating depot, expanded shifted rating, 2,670 rows, thinned to 94 points), fetched Oct 16, 10:12 PM EDT. Ratings are provisional and change with the channel.
Water temperature by month Historical record
Source: USGS daily mean water temperature (parameter 00010, Water Data API), 1975 to 2026, mean of all published daily values in each calendar month (days counted under each month; (few) means fewer than 150 daily values).
Water quality sensors Live gauge
| Measure | Latest value | Observed |
|---|---|---|
| Water temperature | 66.9 °F (19.4 °C) | Oct 16, 9:45 PM EDT |
| Turbidity | 6.6 FNU | Oct 16, 9:45 PM EDT |
| Specific conductance | 112 µS/cm | Oct 16, 9:45 PM EDT |
Source: USGS Water Data API (continuous values). Values as reported by the gauge, provisional.
Flood stages Official NWS
| Category | Gage height (ft) |
|---|---|
| Action | 12.0 ft |
| Minor | 14.0 ft |
| Moderate | 18.0 ft |
| Major | 20.0 ft |
Source: National Weather Service forecast point VING1 (Chattahoochee River at Atlanta), fetched Oct 16, 10:17 PM EDT. Compare with the gage height above; thresholds belong to that forecast point.
Flood impacts by stage Official NWS
| Stage | National Weather Service impact statement |
|---|---|
| 12.0 ft | Bankfull conditions occur along the river upstream and downstream from the gage on Paces Ferry Road. Low lying areas of residential yards on the Cobb County side of the river and an athletic field at Lovett School will begin to flood. |
| 14.0 ft | Flood stage is reached. Minor flooding begins in the woodlands along the river upstream and downstream from the gage on Paces Ferry Road. Portions of an athletic field at Lovett School...backyards of residential homes on Cochise Drive...Paces Ferry Drive...Paces Manor and Farmington Drive...and walking paths by a restaurant will be under one foot of water. |
| 16.0 ft | Minor flooding continues to expand into the woodlands along the river upstream and downstream from the gage on Paces Ferry Road. Most of an athletic field at Lovett School...backyards of residential homes on Cochise Drive...Paces Ferry Drive...Paces Manor and Farmington Drive...and walking paths by a restaurant will be under 3 feet of water. |
| 18.0 ft | Moderate flooding begins. Significant flooding of the woodlands along the river occurs upstream and downstream from the gage on Paces Ferry Road. An athletic field at Lovett School and backyards of residential homes on Cochise Drive...Paces Ferry Drive...Paces Manor and Farmington Drive...and walking paths by a restaurant will be under 5 feet of water. The flood waters will begin to reach the foundations of some homes in lower lying areas. |
| 19.0 ft | Significant flooding expands along the river upstream and downstream from the gage on Paces Ferry Road. An athletic field at Lovett School and backyards of residential homes on Cochise Drive...Paces Ferry Drive...Paces Manor and Farmington Drive...and walking paths by a restaurant will be under 6 feet of water. Some homes in these areas will be flooded with around one foot of water. |
| 20.0 ft | Major flooding begins. Widespread inundation flooding occurs upstream and downstream from the gage on Paces Ferry Road. An athletic field at Lovett School and backyards of residential homes on Cochise Drive...Paces Ferry Drive...Paces Manor and Farmington Drive will be under 7 feet of water. Several homes...businesses and a restaurant parking lot and patio in this area will begin to flood. Around 3 miles downstream...portions of a cement plant and a supply line railroad bridge will begin to flood. |
| 22.0 ft | Major flooding expands with widespread inundation flooding of residential yards and roads near the gage on Paces Ferry Road. An athletic field at Lovett School will be under 9 feet of water. Several homes on Cochise Drive...Paces Ferry Drive...Paces Manor and Farmington Drive...and a restaurant parking lot near the bridge will be under two feet of water. The restaurant will begin to flood. Around 3 miles downstream...portions of a cement plant and supply line railroad bridge will be flooded. |
| 24.0 ft | Widespread inundation flooding continues of residential yards and roads near the gage on Paces Ferry Road. The athletic fields and track at Lovett School will be flooded. Many homes on Cochise Drive...Paces Ferry Drive...Paces Manor and Farmington Drive will be flooded with up to 4 feet of water. A restaurant near the Paces Ferry Road bridge will be flooded with two feet of water. Around 3 miles downstream...half of a cement plant and most of a supply line railroad bridge will be flooded. |
| 26.0 ft | Extensive inundation flooding occurs around the gage on Paces Ferry Road. The water level will reach the bottom of the bridge. Numerous homes on Cochise Drive...Paces Ferry Drive...Paces Manor and Farmington Drive will be flooded with up to 6 feet of water. A restaurant near the bridge will be flooded with 4 feet of water. Flood waters will be approaching other businesses nearby and some of the buildings on the Lovett School campus. Around 3 miles downstream...a water treatment plant will begin to flood. |
| 28.0 ft | Near record flooding occurs around the gage on Paces Ferry Road. Numerous homes on Cochise Drive...Paces Ferry Drive and Farmington Drive will be flooded with up to 8 feet of water. A restaurant near the Paces Ferry Road bridge will be under 6 feet of water as the flood waters hit the bridge. Flood waters will begin to enter other businesses nearby. Some of the buildings on the Lovett School campus will be flooded with two feet of water. This will be similar to the epic flooding in September 2009. |
| 29.0 ft | Record flooding occurs near the gage on Paces Ferry Road. Numerous homes on Cochise Drive...Paces Ferry Drive and Farmington Drive will be flooded with up to 9 feet of water. A restaurant near the Paces Ferry Road bridge will be under 7 feet of water as the flood waters hit the bridge. Flood waters will affect other businesses nearby. Some of the buildings on the Lovett School campus will be flooded with up to 3 feet of water. This will be worse than the epic flooding in September 2009. |
| 30.0 ft | Record flooding never seen before occurs near the gage on Paces Ferry Road. The Old Paces Ferry Road wooden bridge will be flooded out. This catastropic and massive flood will affect numerous homes...businesses and restaurants on Cochise Drive...Paces Ferry Drive and Farmington Drive with up to 10 feet of water in some locations. A few buildings on the Lovett School campus will be flooded with up to 4 feet of water. Transportation in and out of the area will be nearly impossible due to road closures. |
| 32.0 ft | Record flooding never seen before continues. Both of the old wooden and concrete Paces Ferry Road bridges will be flooded out. This catastropic and massive flood will affect numerous homes...businesses and restaurants on Cochise Drive...Paces Ferry Drive and Farmington Drive with up to 12 feet of water in some locations. A few buildings on the Lovett School campus will be flooded with up to 6 feet of water. Transportation in and out of the area will be nearly impossible due to road closures. |
| 34.0 ft | Record flooding never seen before occurs with both of the old wooden and concrete Paces Ferry Road bridges completely submerged. This catastropic and massive flood will affect numerous homes...businesses and restaurants on Cochise Drive...Paces Ferry Drive and Farmington Drive with up to 14 feet of water in some locations. Some of the buildings on the Lovett School campus will be flooded with up to 8 feet of water. Transportation in and out of the area will be impossible due to road closures. |
Source: National Weather Service forecast point VING1 (Chattahoochee River at Atlanta). Statements are quoted from the NWS and describe that forecast point.
Sources and method
- Data: U.S. Geological Survey. Terms
- River forecasts and flood stages: National Weather Service. National Water Model guidance: NOAA. Terms
USGS daily statistics, downloaded 2026-10-12
Percentile method: trailing 24 h mean vs USGS daily percentiles for calendar date 10-16.
Percentile is estimated from USGS published daily percentiles. Readings are provisional until USGS reviews them. Not endorsed by USGS, NOAA or the National Weather Service. Not for navigation or safety-of-life decisions; the absence of an alert is not a statement that conditions are safe.