South Chickamauga Creek at Ringgold water level

Name: South Chickamauga Creek at Ringgold water level (U.S. Geological Survey)
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
License: https://www.usgs.gov/information-policies-and-instructions/copyrights-and-credits

River gauge, South Chickamauga Creek, Georgia, United States

Directions

Normal for mid-October

Water level

3.63ft Steady over the last 24 hours

Measured Oct 20, 2026, 11:30 AM EDT (47 min ago)

Flow: 32.5 cfs

History

7 days 30 days 1 year Years compared

20252026

Water level Normal range (10–90 %) Minor flood stage

What this means

Water levels are unremarkable at South Chickamauga Creek at Ringgold, where the gauge shows 3.63 ft.

That puts it 0.09 ft below the median of 3.72 ft for mid-October, based on 10 years of readings. It is 11.37 ft below the flood stage of 15.00 ft. A year ago it stood at 3.65 ft (−0.02 ft).

The level has held steady over the past 24 hours. The 30-day range is 3.51 ft – 4.70 ft.

Fall is often low-water season on rivers, until steadier rain returns.

Compared with 10 years of daily readings for this time of year. How to read levels

Key numbers

Median for this date: 3.72 ft0.09 ft below the median for this date
Normal for this date: 3.51 ft – 4.14 ft8 years in 10 fall in this range (10 years of records)
Same day last year: 3.65 ft−0.02 ft
Lowest and highest in 30 days: 3.51 ft – 4.70 ft
Lowest and highest in 12 months: 3.48 ft – 7.13 ft
Highest on record: 28.12 ftApril 13, 2020

Paddling and fishing conditions

Most paddlers and anglers will find the river in good shape at this stage.

For reference, flood stage is 15.00 ft.

What happens at each level

31.00 ft: Extensive widespread flooding expands upstream and downstream of the gage. Businesses along U.S. Highway 41 to near Battlefield Parkway will be inundated with two or more feet of water. Water begins to flood residences along the creek downstream. Homes and businesses along the creek between Interstate 75 and U.S. Highway 41 upstream of the gage will be inundated. Water one foot deep or more will cover portions of U.S. Highway 41 and the bridge.
30.00 ft: Major flooding begins upstream and downstream of the gage. Businesses along U.S. Highway 41 to near Battlefield Parkway will be inundated with around a foot of water. Water approaches the foundation or begins to flood residences along the creek downstream. Homes and businesses along the creek between Interstate 75 and U.S. Highway 41 upstream of the gage will be inundated. The water will also begin to cover portions of U.S. Highway 41 and water will be touching the bottom of the bridge.
29.00 ft: Significant flooding continues to expand upstream and downstream of the gage. A business complex near the creek is inundated with a foot of water. The water level approaches the bottom of the lower end of the U.S. Highway 41 bridge. Flood waters approach the foundations of several homes downstream of the gage at the end of Creekview Dr...Mountain Creek Dr...and Bluff View Dr...and begins to inundate commercial and residential structures between Interstate 75 and U.S. Highway 41 upstream of the gage.
28.00 ft: Moderate flooding begins. Significant flooding continues to expand upstream and downstream of the gage. Water floods the parking lot and approaches the foundations of a business complex on the left bank. Water continues to inundate portions of low lying residential yards downstream of the gage at the end of Creekview Drive...Mountain Creek Drive...and Bluff View Drive...and low lying portions between Interstate 75 and U.S. Highway 41 upstream of the gage.
27.00 ft: Minor flooding continues to expand upstream and downstream of the gage on the U.S. Highway 41 or Nashville Street Bridge. Water begins to flood the parking lot of a business complex on the left bank of the creek. Water continues to inundate portions of low lying residential yards downstream of the gage at the end of Creekview Drive...Mountain Creek Drive...and Bluff View Drive...and continue to approach businesses and residences along the creek between Interstate 75 and U.S. Highway 41 upstream of the gage.
25.00 ft: Minor flooding continues to expand upstream and downstream of the gage on the U.S. Highway 41 or Nashville Street Bridge. Water approaches the parking lot of a business complex on the left bank of the creek. Water continues to inundate portions of low lying residential yards downstream of the gage at the end of Creekview Drive...Mountain Creek Drive...and Bluff View Drive...and begins to approach businesses and residences along the creek between Interstate 75 and U.S. Highway 41 upstream of the gage.
23.00 ft: Widespread minor flooding further expands upstream and downstream from the gage on the U.S. Highway 41 or Nashville Street bridge. Water expands to include large portions of the flood plain upstream of the gage between Interstate 75 and U.S. Highway 41 or Nashville Street. Water will also further inundate residential yards downstream from the gage...and begins to approach a business complex parking lot on the left bank of the creek.
21.00 ft: Widespread minor flooding continues upstream and downstream from the gage on the U.S. Highway 41 or Nashville Street bridge. The flood waters will further inundate natural floodplain...including low lying portions of residential yards downstream of the gage...and upstream from the gage along the creek between Interstate 75 and U.S. Highway 41 or Nashville Street.
19.00 ft: Minor flooding expands upstream and downstream from the gage on the U.S. Highway 41 or Nashville Street bridge. The flood waters will further inundate natural floodplain upstream and downstream of the bridge...including low lying portions of residential yards downstream of the gage...and upstream from the gage along the creek between Interstate 75 and U.S. Highway 41 or Nashville Street.
17.00 ft: Minor flooding continues in the woodlands and fields along the creek upstream and downstream from the gage on the U.S. Highway 41 or Nashville Street bridge. The flood waters will expand to inundate natural floodplain upstream and downstream of the bridge...including low lying portions of residential yards downstream of the gage...and upstream from the gage along the creek between Interstate 75 and U.S. Highway 41 or Nashville Street.
15.00 ft: Flood stage is reached. Minor flooding begins in the woodlands and fields along the creek upstream and downstream from the gage on the U.S. Highway 41 or Nashville Street bridge. The flood water will expand to inundate the entire area under the bridge. Minor flooding of the natural floodplain will also occur upstream of the gage between Interstate 75 and U.S. Highway 41 or Nashville Street.
12.00 ft: Bankfull conditions are reached along the left bank of the creek upstream and downstream from the gage on the U.S. Highway 41 or Nashville Street bridge.
3.63 ft: Right now

Impact statements from the U.S. National Weather Service.

Highest crests on record

Chance of at least minor flooding in October to December: 6 %.

Rank	Level	Date
1	28.12 ft	April 13, 2020
2	27.39 ft	March 17, 1973
3	25.30 ft	March 29, 1951
4	24.50 ft	November 29, 1948
5	22.80 ft	February 16, 1990
6	22.15 ft	February 7, 2020
7	20.70 ft	September 7, 1950
8	19.21 ft	March 18, 2021
9	19.20 ft	December 18, 1961
10	18.61 ft	December 29, 2018

Weather at the gauge

No rain in the last 3 days.

20 Tue 70° 41° – Wind 5 mph

21 Wed 73° 45° – Wind 5 mph

22 Thu 73° 46° – Wind 9 mph

23 Fri 74° 45° – Wind 6 mph

24 Sat 71° 46° – Wind 4 mph

25 Sun 71° 45° – Wind 4 mph

26 Mon 72° 47° – Wind 4 mph

Forecast: Open-Meteo

Sunrise 07:51 AM Sunset 07:01 PM Daylight 11 hr, 10 min Waxing gibbous 69%

Map

Other gauges on South Chickamauga Creek

Gauge	Level	Compared with normal	24 hours	Distance
South Chickamauga Creek near ChickamaugaRiver gauge, South Chickamauga Creek	3.93 ft	Below flood stage	−0.02 ft	8 mi

Nearby gauges

Gauge	Level	Compared with normal	24 hours	Distance
West Chickamauga Creek at GA 146, near LakeviewRiver gauge, West Chickamauga Creek	0.80 ft	Low	±0	5.2 mi
Wolftever Creek near OoltewahRiver gauge, Wolftever Creek	14.4 cfs	High	+1.8 cfs	10 mi
Chattanooga Creek at Ga193, near FlintstoneRiver gauge, Chattanooga Creek	3.00 ft	Normal	−0.02 ft	12 mi
Mill Creek at DaltonRiver gauge, Mill Creek	4.15 ft	Low	−0.02 ft	12 mi
Conasauga River at GA 286, near EtonRiver gauge, Conasauga River	2.30 ft	Low	±0	17 mi
Mountain Creek near GlendaleRiver gauge, Mountain Creek	0.3 cfs	Low	±0	17 mi
Coahulla Creek at Keiths Mill Road, near DaltonRiver gauge, Coahulla Creek	7.35 ft	Low	−0.02 ft	18 mi
Lookout Creek near New EnglandRiver gauge, Lookout Creek	3.41 ft	Normal	−0.02 ft	19 mi

Questions and answers

How does South Chickamauga Creek at Ringgold compare with last year?

It is 0.02 ft lower than on the same day last year, when the reading was 3.65 ft.

What is flood stage for South Chickamauga Creek at Ringgold?

The official flood stage is 15.00 ft. The level is currently 11.37 ft below it.

What is a normal level for South Chickamauga Creek at Ringgold in mid-October?

The median for mid-October is 3.72 ft. In 8 years out of 10 the reading falls between 3.51 ft and 4.14 ft, based on 10 years of records.

Is gage height the same as water depth?

No. Gage height is measured from a fixed reference point chosen by the agency, so a reading of 10 ft does not mean the river is 10 ft deep.

What is the water level of South Chickamauga Creek at Ringgold today?

On Oct 20, 2026, 11:30 AM EDT, the water level was 3.63 ft. Steady over the last 24 hours.

Is South Chickamauga Creek at Ringgold rising or falling?

Steady over the last 24 hours. Down 0.32 ft over the last 7 days.

Is the level of South Chickamauga Creek at Ringgold normal?

Normal for mid-October. Compared with 10 years of daily readings for this time of year.

For specialists

Station codes, datum, parameters, data quality and downloads

Operator: U.S. Geological Survey
Station code: usgs:03566700 (Agency page)
Coordinates: 34.91894, -85.12572 (WGS84)
Vertical datum: NAVD88
Update interval: every 15 minutes
Licence: Public domain. Data: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), provisional data subject to revision

Published series

Parameter	Last value	Time (UTC)	Quality
Water level	3.63 ft	2026-10-20 15:30	Provisional
Flow	32.5 cfs	2026-10-20 15:30	Provisional

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How to cite

U.S. Geological Survey: South Chickamauga Creek at Ringgold (usgs:03566700). Accessed October 20, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/georgia/south-chickamauga-creek-at-ringgold

How we check values

Each reading is stored as published. We hold back values that jump faster than physically plausible and show the measurement time with every value.

Readings are provisional, can be delayed or wrong and are not a flood warning. Read the disclaimer