Suwannee River near Bell, Florida water level

Name: Suwannee River near Bell, Florida 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, Suwannee River, Florida, United States

Directions

Normal for mid-October

Water level

8.81ft Up 0.09 ft over the last 24 hours

Measured Oct 18, 2026, 10:00 PM EDT (50 min ago)

Flow: 7,040 cfs
Water temperature: 73 °F

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 Suwannee River near Bell, Florida, where the gauge shows 8.81 ft.

The median for mid-October is 6.89 ft, based on 52 years of readings, so the river stage is 1.92 ft above typical. It is 8.19 ft below the flood stage of 17.00 ft. On the same day last year the reading was 6.04 ft, a difference of +2.77 ft.

It is on the way up, by 0.09 ft over the past 24 hours. There is still 8.19 ft of room before flood stage. The 30-day range is 5.45 ft – 8.81 ft.

Fall is often low-water season on rivers, until steadier rain returns. The water temperature at the gauge is 73 °F.

Compared with 52 years of daily readings for this time of year. How to read levels

Key numbers

Median for this date: 6.89 ft1.92 ft above the median for this date
Normal for this date: 2.95 ft – 13.41 ft8 years in 10 fall in this range (52 years of records)
Same day last year: 6.04 ft+2.77 ft
Lowest and highest in 30 days: 5.45 ft – 8.81 ft
Lowest and highest in 12 months: 4.19 ft – 8.66 ft
Highest on record: 23.13 ftApril 13, 1948
Lowest on record: 2.95 ftNovember 6, 2011

Paddling and fishing conditions

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

For reference, flood stage is 17.00 ft.

What happens at each level

30.00 ft: Record flooding. The flooded area dramatically widens throughout the basin causing historic damage to residences within 1-2 miles of the river. In Dixie County, extensive inundation of homes in Turner Point continues to expand. Water will reach as far west as CR-349.
28.00 ft: CR 340 floods on the Gilchrist County side. Water continues to affect homes at Rock Bluff Park. In Dixie County, many more homes are affected at Turner Point.
27.00 ft: Significant flooding begins on the Dixie County side of the river upstream of the CR-340 crossing. Some homes are impacted downstream of the gage site on the Gilchrist County side along NW 67th Terrace.
26.00 ft: Significant inundation of flooded areas, with some elevated homes experiencing damage. Water begins to affect a series of homes at Rock Bluff Park in Gilchrist County. In Dixie County at Turner Point, water spreads further westward impacting residences south of NE 453 Avenue.
24.00 ft: Homes on the Dixie County side of the river will be surrounded by water. Homes not elevated above ground level will be subject to flooding. County Road 340 floods at this level on the Dixie County side about one quarter mile west of the bridge. Homes in Dixie County north of this road experience significant inundation. Major flooding occurs along the river from Rock Bluff to Turner Point. Homes near the river in Lafayette, Gilchrist, and Dixie Counties are likely inaccessible above this level.
23.00 ft: Significant flooding occurs along the river in Lafayette County, effectively isolating all residences near the river. In Dixie County, flooding worsens at Turner Point. Highway 351 south of Turner Point floods at this level. Several other residences along the river begin to be surrounded by flood water.
22.00 ft: Significant flooding occurs in Dixie County North of CR 340. Homes in this area are isolated and if not elevated prone to flooding.
21.10 ft: In Dixie County, flooding expands north of CR 340 affecting access to homes in this area. Flooding in Turner Point expands, isolating a few homes in the area.
21.00 ft: In Lafayette county, access to many homes along Vicky Guynn Way becomes impassible above this level. Flooding also affects residences west of SE Leopard Road. In Gilchrist County, extensive flooding affects neighborhoods around Shady Bend Airport. Flooding further downstream in the county creates significant access issues to residences west of NW 73rd Way. Significant flooding occurs between the river and SW 74th Court.
19.00 ft: The boat ramp at the end of NE 967th Street may flood. Water begins to flood Vicky Guynn Way in Lafayette County. In Gilchrist County, flooding affects areas between the river and NW 72nd Way. Flooding expands considerably around NW 73rd Way and NW 82nd terrace. Much of NW 6th street is flooded. Residences begin to be affected near SW 77th Avenue. In Dixie County, water overspreads the bank at Turner Point, flooding the boat access area and the backyards of several residences near the river.
17.00 ft: Water begins to flood several roads in Gilchrist County downstream of the Rock Bluff gauge. Roads affected include NW 73rd Way, NW 82nd Terrace, SW 25th Place, and SW 86th Way.
16.00 ft: Flooding of low lying wooded areas near the river continue. This is the top of the boat ramps along the river in Dixie and Gilchrist Counties.
8.81 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: 13 %.

Rank	Level	Date
1	23.13 ft	April 13, 1948
2	21.67 ft	April 17, 2009
3	21.60 ft	August 28, 1928
4	21.46 ft	April 18, 2005
5	19.66 ft	March 23, 2003
6	19.31 ft	December 29, 2018
7	18.42 ft	August 15, 2024
8	17.69 ft	August 17, 2021
9	16.94 ft	July 3, 2012
10	16.53 ft	April 13, 2016

Weather at the gauge

No rain in the last 3 days.

18 Sun 72° 51° – Wind 17 mph

19 Mon 74° 53° – Wind 13 mph

20 Tue 76° 53° – Wind 8 mph

21 Wed 79° 55° – Wind 8 mph

22 Thu 78° 56° – Wind 7 mph

23 Fri 78° 56° – Wind 9 mph

24 Sat 73° 60° – Wind 15 mph

Forecast: Open-Meteo

Sunrise 07:37 AM Sunset 06:58 PM Daylight 11 hr, 21 min First quarter 55%

Map

Other gauges on the Suwannee River

Gauge	Level	Compared with normal	24 hours	Distance
Suwannee River above FargoRiver gauge, Suwannee River	9.76 ft	High	−0.27 ft	67 mi
Suwannee River at US 441, at FargoRiver gauge, Suwannee River	7.73 ft	High	−0.26 ft	65 mi
Suwannee River at White SpringsRiver gauge, Suwannee River	56.27 ft	Very high	−0.15 ft	39 mi
Suwannee River at Suwannee Springs FlaRiver gauge, Suwannee River	43.52 ft	High	−0.08 ft	42 mi
Suwannee River at EllavilleRiver gauge, Suwannee River	7.63 ft	High	+0.19 ft	44 mi
Suwannee River at Dowling Park, FloridaRiver gauge, Suwannee River	28.60 ft	High	+0.20 ft	37 mi
Suwannee River at LuravilleRiver gauge, Suwannee River	23.01 ft	Below flood stage	+0.21 ft	26 mi
Suwannee River at BranfordRiver gauge, Suwannee River	9.00 ft	Normal	+0.23 ft	11 mi
Suwannee River near WilcoxRiver gauge, Suwannee River	3.20 ft	Low	−0.57 ft	14 mi
Suwannee River above Gopher River near SuwanneeTidal gauge, Suwannee River	7,320 cfs	Normal	−4,080.0 cfs	33 mi

Nearby gauges

Gauge	Level	Compared with normal	24 hours	Distance
Santa Fe River near Hildreth FlaRiver gauge, Santa Fe River	7.38 ft	Normal	+0.15 ft	9 mi
Santa Fe River near Fort WhiteRiver gauge, Santa Fe River	0.46 ft	Low	−0.02 ft	13 mi
Ginnie Spring near High Springs FlaRiver gauge, Ginnie Spring	21.42 ft	Low	−0.05 ft	14 mi
Ichetucknee R @ Hwy27 near HildrethRiver gauge, Ichetucknee R @ Hwy27	14.86 ft	Normal	+0.01 ft	14 mi
Fanning Springs near Wilcox FlaRiver gauge, Fanning Springs	3.19 ft	Normal	−0.54 ft	14 mi
Troy Spring near Branford FlaRiver gauge, Troy Spring	14.51 ft	Normal	+0.26 ft	15 mi
Santa Fe River at Us Highway 441 near High SpringsRiver gauge, Santa Fe River	442 cfs	Normal	−28.0 cfs	19 mi
Santa Fe River at River Rise near High SpringsRiver gauge, Santa Fe River	2.89 ft	Normal	−0.12 ft	21 mi

Questions and answers

Is the Suwannee River near Bell, Florida higher than last year?

Yes, it is 2.77 ft higher than on the same day last year, when the reading was 6.04 ft.

What is flood stage for the Suwannee River near Bell, Florida?

The official flood stage is 17.00 ft. The level is currently 8.19 ft below it.

What is a normal level for the Suwannee River near Bell, Florida in mid-October?

The median for mid-October is 6.89 ft. In 8 years out of 10 the reading falls between 2.95 ft and 13.41 ft, based on 52 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 Suwannee River near Bell, Florida today?

On Oct 18, 2026, 10:00 PM EDT, the water level was 8.81 ft. Up 0.09 ft over the last 24 hours.

Is Suwannee River near Bell, Florida rising or falling?

Up 0.09 ft over the last 24 hours. Up 1.82 ft over the last 7 days.

Is the level of Suwannee River near Bell, Florida normal?

Normal for mid-October. Compared with 52 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:02323000 (Agency page)
Coordinates: 29.79134, -82.92429 (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	8.81 ft	2026-10-19 02:00	Provisional
Flow	7,040 cfs	2026-10-19 02:00	Provisional
Water temperature	73 °F	2026-10-19 02:00	Provisional

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How to cite

U.S. Geological Survey: Suwannee River near Bell, Florida (usgs:02323000). Accessed October 19, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/florida/suwannee-river-near-bell-florida

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