Apalachicola River near Sumatra water level
River gauge, Apalachicola River, Florida, United States
Right now
High for mid-October
Water level
- Flow
- 19,900 cfs
- Water temperature
- 72 °F
History
20252026
What this means
High water at Apalachicola River near Sumatra: the latest reading is 5.39 ft, above normal for mid-October.
The median for mid-October is 3.81 ft, based on 46 years of readings, so the river stage is 1.58 ft above typical. It is 4.11 ft below the flood stage of 9.50 ft. On the same day last year the reading was 3.01 ft, a difference of +2.38 ft.
It is still going down, by 0.24 ft over the past 24 hours. The 30-day range is 3.23 ft – 6.39 ft.
That stands out in fall, when many rivers are usually near their lowest. The water temperature at the gauge is 72 °F.
Compared with 46 years of daily readings for this time of year. How to read levels
Key numbers
- Median for this date
- 3.81 ft1.58 ft above the median for this date
- Normal for this date
- 2.26 ft – 6.22 ft8 years in 10 fall in this range (46 years of records)
- Same day last year
- 3.01 ft+2.38 ft
- Lowest and highest in 30 days
- 3.23 ft – 6.39 ft
- Lowest and highest in 12 months
- 2.18 ft – 6.98 ft
- Highest on record
- 15.36 ftMarch 15, 1998
Paddling and fishing conditions
Above-normal flows push fish to the edges and make wading risky. Wait for the river to drop and clear.
For reference, flood stage is 9.50 ft.
What happens at each level
- 14.00 ft
- In Howard Creek in Gulf County, significant flooding will result in portions of the community being inaccessible. Water will be up to 3 feet deep in some areas, flooding even some homes that are elevated.
- 13.50 ft
- At Howard Creek in Gulf County water will be up to 2 feet deep throughout portions of the community. Homes not elevated will be prone to flooding.
- 12.50 ft
- In Howard Creek in Gulf County, numerous roads in the area are subject to closure. Water will begin to surround structures, with up to 1 foot of standing water in a few areas.
- 11.50 ft
- At Howard Creek in Gulf County, water begins to cover roads and restrict access throughout the area.
- 11.00 ft
- Flooding begins on the east bank of the river at Fort Gadsden in Franklin County.
- 9.50 ft
- Water begins to flood low lying areas around Howard Creek in Gulf County.
- 8.00 ft
- The boat ramp at Howard Creek Landing in Gulf County will be prone to flooding.
- 5.39 ft
- Right now
Impact statements from the U.S. National Weather Service.
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Level | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 15.36 ft | March 15, 1998 |
| 2 | 15.05 ft | July 13, 1994 |
| 3 | 13.83 ft | January 1, 2016 |
| 4 | 13.82 ft | March 24, 1990 |
| 5 | 13.69 ft | April 5, 2005 |
| 6 | 13.19 ft | April 5, 2009 |
| 7 | 13.13 ft | March 13, 2020 |
| 8 | 12.92 ft | February 2, 1978 |
| 9 | 11.74 ft | February 20, 2009 |
| 10 | 11.65 ft | March 2, 2013 |
Weather at the gauge
No rain in the last 3 days.
Forecast: Open-Meteo
Map
Other gauges on the Apalachicola River
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apalachicola River below Woodruff Dam, near SneadsRiver gauge, Apalachicola River | 41.76 ft | Normal | −0.70 ft | 53 mi |
| Apalachicola River at Chattahoochee FlaRiver gauge, Apalachicola River | 41.57 ft | High | −0.62 ft | 53 mi |
| Apalachicola River near Blountstown, FloridaRiver gauge, Apalachicola River | 4.64 ft | Normal | −0.58 ft | 33 mi |
Nearby gauges
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iww East of Gulf Co Canal near Port St JoeCanal gauge, Iww East of Gulf Co Canal | 1.07 ft | Normal | +0.68 ft | 14 mi |
| Apalachicola R.ab Chipola Cutoff near WewahitchkaRiver gauge, Apalachicola R.ab Chipola Cutoff | 16.13 ft | High | −0.48 ft | 15 mi |
| Iww West of Gulf Co Canal near Port St JoeCanal gauge, Iww West of Gulf Co Canal | 1.12 ft | Normal | +0.68 ft | 15 mi |
| Sopchoppy River near SopchoppyRiver gauge, Sopchoppy River | 11.19 ft | Very high | −0.56 ft | 34 mi |
| Ochlockonee River near BloxhamRiver gauge, Ochlockonee River | 9.63 ft | Very high | −0.47 ft | 37 mi |
| Lake Talquin near BloxhamLake, Lake Talquin | 68.30 ft | Low | −0.12 ft | 38 mi |
| Chipola River near AlthaRiver gauge, Chipola River | 9.54 ft | Normal | −0.21 ft | 41 mi |
| Spring Creek near Spring CreekTidal gauge, Spring Creek | 0.67 ft | Normal | +0.89 ft | 42 mi |
Questions and answers
Is the Apalachicola River near Sumatra higher than last year?
Yes, it is 2.38 ft higher than on the same day last year, when the reading was 3.01 ft.
What is flood stage for the Apalachicola River near Sumatra?
The official flood stage is 9.50 ft. The level is currently 4.11 ft below it.
What is a normal level for the Apalachicola River near Sumatra in mid-October?
The median for mid-October is 3.81 ft. In 8 years out of 10 the reading falls between 2.26 ft and 6.22 ft, based on 46 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 Apalachicola River near Sumatra today?
On Oct 19, 2026, 09:45 AM EDT, the water level was 5.39 ft. Down 0.24 ft over the last 24 hours.
Is Apalachicola River near Sumatra rising or falling?
Down 0.24 ft over the last 24 hours. Down 0.77 ft over the last 7 days.
Is the level of Apalachicola River near Sumatra normal?
High for mid-October. Compared with 46 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:02359170(Agency page)- Coordinates
29.94937, -85.01547(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 | 5.39 ft | 2026-10-19 13:45 | Provisional |
| Flow | 19,900 cfs | 2026-10-19 13:45 | Provisional |
| Water temperature | 72 °F | 2026-10-19 13:45 | Provisional |
Download
Embed this gauge
Add a live card for this gauge to your website. It updates on its own and links back here.
How to cite
U.S. Geological Survey: Apalachicola River near Sumatra (usgs:02359170). Accessed October 19, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/florida/apalachicola-river-near-sumatra
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