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Duck River at Columbia water level

River gauge, Duck River, Tennessee, United States

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Right now

Very low for mid-October

Water level

1.43ft Steady over the last 24 hours

Flow
160 cfs
0 25 50 Highest onrecord 51.75 ft Minor floodstage 32.00 ft

History

History
246ftOct 16Oct 18Oct 20Oct 22Oct 24246ftOct 16Oct 20Oct 24
510ftSep 21Sep 29Oct 7Oct 16Oct 24510ftSep 21Oct 7Oct 24
-0102030ftOct 2025Jan 2026Apr 2026Jul 2026Oct 2026Minor flood stage-0102030ftOct 2025Apr 2026Oct 2026Minor flood stage
-0102030ftJanMarMayJulSepNov2026-0102030ftJanAprJulOct2026

20252026

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

The forecast expects the river to fall to 1.40 ft by Monday, October 19 at 07:00 PM. Issued Monday, October 19 at 08:43 AM by NOAA National Weather Service.

What this means

At 1.43 ft, the Duck River at Columbia is far below normal for mid-October.

The median for mid-October is 1.82 ft, based on 31 years of readings, so the river stage is 0.39 ft below typical. It is 30.57 ft below the flood stage of 32.00 ft. On the same day last year the reading was 2.18 ft, a difference of −0.75 ft.

It has barely moved over the past 24 hours. The forecast expects the river to fall to 1.40 ft by Monday, October 19 at 07:00 PM. Without real rain upstream, that is unlikely to change quickly. Over the past 30 days it has moved between 1.33 ft and 1.73 ft.

Compared with 31 years of daily readings for this time of year. How to read levels

Key numbers

Median for this date
1.82 ft0.39 ft below the median for this date
Normal for this date
1.45 ft – 5.18 ft8 years in 10 fall in this range (31 years of records)
Same day last year
2.18 ft−0.75 ft
Lowest and highest in 30 days
1.33 ft – 1.73 ft
Lowest and highest in 12 months
1.32 ft – 20.88 ft
Highest on record
51.75 ftFebruary 14, 1948
Forecast peak
1.40 ftMonday, October 19 at 07:00 PM

What the stage means on the water

Low water means more dragging on shallow riffles and slower floats. Fish crowd into the deeper runs, and warm, low water stresses them, so play and release them quickly.

The National Weather Service puts flood stage for this gauge at 32.00 ft, still 30.57 ft away.

What happens at each level

58.00 ft
Water covers I-65 between Luther Sharp Rd and Sowell Mill Pike.
56.00 ft
Record flooding across Maury County continues, impacting Hwy 412 east of U.S. 31, Iron Bridge Rd west of Tom J Hitch Pkwy, North James Campbell Blvd near Santa Fe Pike and U.S. 31, and New Hwy 7 near Roberts Bend Ln in Columbia. In Pottsville, water impacts areas near Hwy 99 and Hwy 431, and water approaches I-65 between Luther Sharp Rd and Sowell Mill Pike.
54.00 ft
Record flooding continues to impact Maury County, including Hwy 412 east of U.S. 31 in Columbia, as well as Iron Bridge Rd west of Tom J Hitch Pkwy, and North James Campbell Blvd near Santa Fe Pike and U.S. 31. Water approaches New Hwy 7 near Roberts Bend Ln. In Pottsville, water reaches Hwy 99 east of Hwy 431 and continues to impact Hwy 99 and areas west of Hwy 431.
52.00 ft
Record flooding is impacting many areas of Maury County. In Columbia, Hwy 412/Hwy 43S, structures and roads downtown near the river, and structures along Bigby Creek on North James Campbell Blvd near Hampshire Pike are impacted, and water reaches Iron Bridge Rd west of Tom J Hitch Pkwy. In Pottsville, many homes and roads are impacted including Hwy 99 west of Hwy 431, and water approaches Hwy 99 east of Hwy 431. Water also approaches structures on Roberts Bend Ln near Dark Mills Rd.
51.80 ft
Flood of Record (2/14/1948)
50.00 ft
Widespread major flooding continues to impact Maury County. In Columbia, Hwy 412/Hwy 43S near Theta Pike, areas near Riverside Dr and Carter St, areas north of 9th St and east of Woodland St, Taylor Bend, and water approaches structures on North James Campbell Blvd near Hampshire Pike. In Pottsville, water approaches Hwy 99/Bear Creek Pike west of Hwy 431 and is approaching many homes in the area. Water covers Carpenter Bridge Rd near the river and Blue Springs Rd east of Hwy 50.
48.00 ft
Major flooding continues to impact areas of Maury County, including Hwy 412/Hwy 43S near Theta Pike in Columbia, which may be impassable. Also affected are areas near Riverside Dr and Carter St, as well as South Glade St, Bridge St, and Woodland St north of 9th St. Water approaches Hannaway St and Taylor Bend in Columbia, as well as Carpenter Bridge Rd near the river and Blue Springs Rd east of Hwy 50. In Pottsville, water impacts Hardison Mill Rd and covers Hwy 431.
46.00 ft
Flooding continues to impact areas in Columbia on Riverside Dr, 2nd Ave, Carter St, South Glade St, East 7th St, East 8th St, Bridge St, Riverside Elementary School, and Old Williamsport Pike. Water approaches Hwy 412/Hwy 43S near Theta Pike and near Industrial Park Rd, and structures at East 6th St and Water St, and on Woodland St near 8th St. In Pottsville, water impacts Hardison Mill Rd and covers Hwy 431 at Hwy 99 and Kennie Nelson Rd.
44.00 ft
Widespread flooding continues to impact many areas of Maury County along the river and on adajcent tributaries. In Columbia, water impacts Riverside Dr, 2nd Ave, East 7th St, South Glade St, East 8th St, North James Campbell Blvd near U.S. 31, and approaches Carter St, Riverside Elementary School, and structures on Bridge St, and Old Williamsport Pike. In Pottsville, water approaches homes on Hardison Mill Rd and approaches Kennie Nelson Rd near Hwy 431, and Hwy 431 at Hwy 99.
42.00 ft
Widespread flooding is occurring, affecting many roads and structures along the river and on adajcent tributaries. In Columbia, roads and structures are impacted including Riverside Dr, 2nd Ave, East 7th St, South Glade St, North James Campbell Blvd near U.S. 31, and Jacobs Ln at Santa Fe Pike, with water approaching East 8th St. Water covers Fred White Rd north of Houston Creek Rd, and in Pottsville water covers portions of Hardison Mill Rd which may be impassable at higher levels.
40.00 ft
Significant flooding continues to impact Columbia including structures Riverside Dr, and approaches structures on 2nd Ave, East 7th St, South Glade St, and Jacobs Ln at Santa Fe Pike. Elsewhere, Craig Bridge Rd between the Duck River and Hwy 247 is flooded and impassable, water covers Iron Bridge Rd east of Tom J Hitch Pkwy and may be impassable, and water covers Fred White Rd north of Houston Creek Rd. In Pottsville, water approaches homes near the river and portions of Hardison Mill Rd.
38.00 ft
Significant flooding is impacting Riverside Dr, Riverwalk Park, Carter St. Hwy 247, Craig Bridge Rd, Jimmy Gray Robinson Rd at Poplar Creek south of Williamsport, Martin Dr at Lytle Creek, Carpenter Bridge Rd east of Sowell Mill Pike, and Kettle Mills Rd near Delk Dr. Water approaches Sowell Mill Pike at Iron Bridge Rd east of Tom J Hitch Pkwy, Old Williamsport Pike near James Campbell Blvd, Monsanto Rd at Stephens Rd, Parsons Bend Rd, and Lepiers Creek Rd near Hwy 247.
1.43 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: < 5 %.

RankLevelDate
151.75 ftFebruary 14, 1948
249.31 ftMarch 17, 1973
348.31 ftMarch 14, 1975
448.00 ftMarch 29, 1902
546.80 ftFebruary 20, 1991
645.61 ftJanuary 26, 2002
744.91 ftMay 3, 2010
844.83 ftMay 8, 2003
944.78 ftMarch 23, 1955
1043.10 ftMarch 25, 1929

Weather at the gauge

No rain in the last 3 days.

18 Sun 69° 39° – Wind 5 mph
19 Mon 72° 44° – Wind 6 mph
20 Tue 74° 47° – Wind 8 mph
21 Wed 75° 49° – Wind 6 mph
22 Thu 76° 49° – Wind 7 mph
23 Fri 77° 50° – Wind 9 mph
24 Sat 75° 50° – Wind 13 mph

Forecast: Open-Meteo

Sunrise 06:59 AM Sunset 06:08 PM Daylight 11 hr, 8 min First quarter 65%

Map

Other gauges on the Duck River

Gauge Level Compared with normal 24 hours Distance
Duck River above Highway 278 near BerlinRiver gauge, Duck River 1.66 ft Normal ±0 102 mi
Duck River below ManchesterRiver gauge, Duck River 15.0 cfs Very low +0.8 cfs 52 mi
Duck River at ShelbyvilleRiver gauge, Duck River 180 cfs Normal +4.0 cfs 33 mi
Duck River near ShelbyvilleRiver gauge, Duck River 2.65 ft Very low +0.02 ft 31 mi
Duck River at Halls Mill BridgeRiver gauge, Duck River 190 cfs Normal −3.0 cfs 26 mi
Duck River above MilltownRiver gauge, Duck River 11.00 ft Below flood stage −0.01 ft 15 mi
Duck River at Mile 156 near PottsvilleRiver gauge, Duck River 5.33 ft Normal +0.01 ft 10 mi
Duck River near Shady GroveRiver gauge, Duck River 216 cfs Low −10.0 cfs 15 mi
Duck River at Highway 100 at CentervilleRiver gauge, Duck River 2.86 ft Below flood stage −0.04 ft 27 mi
Duck River above Hurricane MillsRiver gauge, Duck River 0.60 ft Below flood stage −0.01 ft 45 mi

Nearby gauges

Gauge Level Compared with normal 24 hours Distance
Harpeth River at Mile 90.5 near FranklinRiver gauge, Harpeth River 10.2 cfs Normal +0.4 cfs 22 mi
Harpeth River at FranklinRiver gauge, Harpeth River 3.82 ft Below flood stage −0.05 ft 23 mi
Harpeth River below FranklinRiver gauge, Harpeth River 1.79 ft Below flood stage −0.01 ft 24 mi
Richland Creek at Highway 64 Bypass at PulaskiRiver gauge, Richland Creek 5.26 ft Below flood stage −0.01 ft 29 mi
Harpeth River at BellevueRiver gauge, Harpeth River 1.18 ft Low −0.01 ft 31 mi

Questions and answers

Is the Duck River at Columbia higher than last year?

No, it is 0.75 ft lower than on the same day last year, when the reading was 2.18 ft.

What is flood stage for the Duck River at Columbia?

The official flood stage is 32.00 ft. The level is currently 30.57 ft below it.

What is a normal level for the Duck River at Columbia in mid-October?

The median for mid-October is 1.82 ft. In 8 years out of 10 the reading falls between 1.45 ft and 5.18 ft, based on 31 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 Duck River at Columbia today?

On Oct 19, 2026, 11:00 PM CDT, the water level was 1.43 ft. Steady over the last 24 hours.

Is Duck River at Columbia rising or falling?

Steady over the last 24 hours. Down 0.30 ft over the last 7 days.

Is the level of Duck River at Columbia normal?

Very low for mid-October. Compared with 31 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:03599500 (Agency page)
Coordinates
35.61809, -87.03234 (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

ParameterLast valueTime (UTC)Quality
Water level 1.43 ft 2026-10-20 04:00 Provisional
Flow 160 cfs 2026-10-20 04:00 Provisional

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How to cite

U.S. Geological Survey: Duck River at Columbia (usgs:03599500). Accessed October 20, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/tennessee/duck-river-at-columbia

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.