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SwedenBuffalo River near Flat Woods water level
River gauge, Buffalo River, Tennessee, United States
Right now
Very low for mid-October
Water level
- Flow
- 144 cfs
- Water temperature
- 63 °F
History
20252026
What this means
The Buffalo River near Flat Woods is running far below normal at 2.05 ft.
That puts it 0.67 ft below the median of 2.72 ft for mid-October, based on 28 years of readings. It is 19.95 ft below the flood stage of 22.00 ft. A year ago it stood at 2.38 ft (−0.33 ft).
The level has held steady over the past 24 hours. Without real rain upstream, that is unlikely to change quickly. In the last month it has stayed between 1.97 ft and 2.26 ft.
Fall is often low-water season on rivers, and it usually takes a few days of steady rain to change that. The sensor also reports a water temperature of 63 °F.
Compared with 28 years of daily readings for this time of year. How to read levels
Key numbers
- Median for this date
- 2.72 ft0.67 ft below the median for this date
- Normal for this date
- 2.25 ft – 3.88 ft8 years in 10 fall in this range (28 years of records)
- Same day last year
- 2.38 ft−0.33 ft
- Lowest and highest in 30 days
- 1.97 ft – 2.26 ft
- Lowest and highest in 12 months
- 1.97 ft – 13.87 ft
- Highest on record
- 32.69 ftMay 3, 2010
Floating and fishing near Buffalo River near Flat Woods
Low water exposes gravel bars that make good wading access, but some boat ramps may be left high and dry.
Flood stage here is 22.00 ft, 19.95 ft above the current reading. Beyond it, the National Weather Service also defines moderate and major flood stages.
What happens at each level
- 36.00 ft
- Record flooding continues to impact roads and properties along the river from Topsy to Flatwoods, to Linden, including portions of Hwy 13 and Hwy 412 which are impassable. Water impacts Hwy 1788 near Rockhouse Rd, and Bethel Rd which are impassable, and begins to impact low lying portions of the NYX Linden facility. In Linden, homes and properties on Elm Ln, Shelton St, Brookside Dr, Cherry St, and S Mill St are flooded.
- 34.00 ft
- Record flooding is impacting roads and properties along the river from Topsy to Flatwoods, to Linden. Travel on main roads including portions of Hwy 13 is impossible, and water approaches Hwy 412 at Hwy 13. In Linden, homes and properties on Elm Ln, Shelton St, Brookside Dr, Cherry St, and S Mill St are flooded. Water reaches Hwy 1788 near Rockhouse Rd which may be impassable at higher levels.
- 32.00 ft
- Near record flooding is occurring impacting many roads and properties along the river from Topsy to Flatwoods, to Linden, including portions of Hwy 13. In Linden, water reaches Elm Ln, Shelton St, Brookside Dr, Cherry St, and S Mill St. Hwy 13 south of Hwy 412 is impassable, and water approaches Hwy 412 at Hwy 13 which is impassable at higher levels.
- 30.00 ft
- Extensive flooding along the river is impacting many roads including portions of Hwy 13 and Old Hwy 13. In Linden, water reaches properties on Elm Ln, Shelton St, Brookside Dr, Cherry St, and approaches S Mill St and Hwy 13 south of Hwy 412 which may be impassable at higher levels.
- 28.00 ft
- Widespread flooding continues along the river with many roads flooded and impassable, including portions of Old Hwy 13 at Old Hohenwald Rd and south of Duncans Camp Rd, Hwy 13 north of Hwy 412 and near Bethel Rd, Bethel Rd east of Venture Dr, Topsy Rd, Old Rockhouse Loop, and Hwy 1788 near Sugar Hill Camp Rd. The Perry County Veterans Park is flooded, water reaches properties on Hwy 13 near S Mill St and north of Hwy 412, and most of the Linden Valley Baptist Conference Center is flooded.
- 26.00 ft
- Widespread flooding is impacting low-lying roads near the river, including Buffalo Bottom Rd, River Bluff Rd, Duncans Camp Rd, portions of Old Hwy 13, McGee Rd, Moccasin Creek Rd, Mayberry Rd, Armstrong Rd, and Harris Rd. In Linden, the Perry County Veterans Park is flooded and water approaches properties on Hwy 13 near S Mill St and north of Hwy 412. Water approaches Hwy 13 north of Hwy 412, Topsy Rd, Old Hwy 13 at Old Hohenwald Rd and south of Duncans Camp Rd.
- 24.00 ft
- Flooding continues to impact roads and properties along the river, including Buffalo Bottom Rd, River Bluff Rd, Duncans Camp Rd near Old Hwy 13, Old Hwy 13 at Big Buffalo Estates, McGee Rd, Moccasin Creek Rd, Mayberry Rd, Armstrong Rd near Hwy 13, and Harris Rd. Most of the Crazy Horse Campground is flooded, and water begins to impact portions of the Linden Valley Baptist Conference Center.
- 22.00 ft
- Flooding is impacting low-lying areas along the river, including Buffalo Bottom Rd, River Bluff Rd, Duncans Camp Rd near Old Hwy 13, Old Hwy 13 at Big Buffalo Estates, and McGee Rd. Water reaches portions of Moccasin Creek Rd near Keazy Hollow Rd, Mayberry Rd, Armstrong Rd near Hwy 13, and Harris Rd which may be impassable at higher levels, and most of the Crazy Horse Campground on the south side of the river is flooded and water begins to impact portions of the campground on the north side.
- 20.00 ft
- Water continues to impact access points, agricultural areas and properties adjacent to the river, and low-lying roads including Buffalo Bottom Rd, River Bluff Rd, Duncans Camp Rd near Old Hwy 13, Old Hwy 13 at Big Buffalo Estates, and McGee Rd which are impassable. Water begins to impact portions of Crazy Horse Campground and Recreational Park.
- 18.00 ft
- Areas along the river continue to be inundated, including access points, agricultural land, and properties on Big Buffalo Estates Cir. Water begins to cover portions of Buffalo Bottom Rd, River Bluff Rd, and Duncans Camp Rd near Old Hwy 13, and approaches Old Hwy 13 at Big Buffalo Estates, and McGee Rd which may be impassable at higher levels.
- 16.00 ft
- Low lying areas along the river from near Topsy to Linden, including access points and agricultural land begin to be inundated. Water begins to impact properties on Big Buffalo Estates Cir.
- 2.05 ft
- Right now
Impact statements from the U.S. National Weather Service.
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Level | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 32.69 ft | May 3, 2010 |
| 2 | 32.19 ft | May 27, 1991 |
| 3 | 32.00 ft | February 13, 1948 |
| 4 | 30.45 ft | March 22, 1955 |
| 5 | 29.30 ft | March 13, 1927 |
| 6 | 29.26 ft | March 13, 1975 |
| 7 | 27.16 ft | November 28, 1973 |
| 8 | 26.98 ft | March 21, 1980 |
| 9 | 26.83 ft | March 16, 1973 |
| 10 | 25.08 ft | May 7, 2003 |
Weather at the gauge
The forecast is not available right now.
Map
Other gauges on the Buffalo River
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buffalo River below LobelvilleRiver gauge, Buffalo River | 2.89 ft | Below flood stage | ±0 | 22 mi |
Nearby gauges
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duck River at Highway 100 at CentervilleRiver gauge, Duck River | 2.86 ft | Below flood stage | −0.04 ft | 29 mi |
| Duck River above Hurricane MillsRiver gauge, Duck River | 0.60 ft | Below flood stage | −0.02 ft | 30 mi |
| Horse Creek near Savannah, Tn (Tva)River gauge, Horse Creek | 0.52 ft | Below flood stage | ±0 | 30 mi |
| Piney River at VernonRiver gauge, Piney River | 3.02 ft | Normal | ±0 | 32 mi |
| Duck River near Shady GroveRiver gauge, Duck River | 219 cfs | Low | −10.0 cfs | 35 mi |
| Shoal Creek at Iron CityRiver gauge, Shoal Creek | 1.72 ft | Below flood stage | +0.01 ft | 36 mi |
| Cypress Creek at CamdenRiver gauge, Cypress Creek | 0.6 cfs | Very low | ±0 | 40 mi |
| Big Sandy River at BrucetonRiver gauge, Big Sandy River | 57.6 cfs | Low | +0.6 cfs | 43 mi |
Questions and answers
How does the Buffalo River near Flat Woods compare with last year?
It is 0.33 ft lower than on the same day last year, when the reading was 2.38 ft.
What is flood stage for the Buffalo River near Flat Woods?
The official flood stage is 22.00 ft. The level is currently 19.95 ft below it.
What is a normal level for the Buffalo River near Flat Woods in mid-October?
The median for mid-October is 2.72 ft. In 8 years out of 10 the reading falls between 2.25 ft and 3.88 ft, based on 28 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 Buffalo River near Flat Woods today?
On Oct 19, 2026, 08:00 PM CDT, the water level was 2.05 ft. Steady over the last 24 hours.
Is Buffalo River near Flat Woods rising or falling?
Steady over the last 24 hours. Down 0.20 ft over the last 7 days.
Is the level of Buffalo River near Flat Woods normal?
Very low for mid-October. Compared with 28 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:03604000(Agency page)- Coordinates
35.49591, -87.83280(WGS84)- Vertical datum
- NGVD29
- 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 | 2.05 ft | 2026-10-20 01:00 | Provisional |
| Flow | 144 cfs | 2026-10-20 01:00 | Provisional |
| Water temperature | 63 °F | 2026-10-20 01:00 | Provisional |
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How to cite
U.S. Geological Survey: Buffalo River near Flat Woods (usgs:03604000). Accessed October 20, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/tennessee/buffalo-river-near-flat-woods
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