Nivelmap
EN

How to read levelsSources and methods

North America

Western Europe

Central Europe

Mediterranean

Nordic countries

Cahaba River near Helena water level

River gauge, Cahaba River, Alabama, United States

Directions

Normal for mid-October

Water level

1.45ft Steady over the last 24 hours

Flow
86.5 cfs
Water temperature
75 °F
1.3 1.5 1.8

History

1.52.02.5ftOct 12Oct 13Oct 15Oct 16Oct 181.52.02.5ftOct 12Oct 15Oct 18
246ftSep 19Sep 26Oct 3Oct 11Oct 18246ftSep 19Oct 3Oct 18
51015ftOct 2025Jan 2026Apr 2026Jul 2026Oct 202651015ftOct 2025Apr 2026Oct 2026
51015ftJanMarMayJulSepNov202651015ftJanAprJulOct2026

20252026

Water level Normal range (10–90 %)

What this means

The gauge at Cahaba River near Helena reads 1.45 ft, a normal level for mid-October.

The median for mid-October is 1.40 ft, based on 23 years of readings, so the river stage is 0.05 ft above typical. On the same day last year the reading was 1.27 ft, a difference of +0.18 ft.

It has barely moved over the past 24 hours. Over the past 30 days it has moved between 1.25 ft and 3.85 ft.

Fall is often low-water season on rivers, until steadier rain returns. The water temperature at the gauge is 75 °F.

Compared with 23 years of daily readings for this time of year. How to read levels

Key numbers

Median for this date
1.40 ft0.05 ft above the median for this date
Normal for this date
1.29 ft – 1.92 ft8 years in 10 fall in this range (23 years of records)
Same day last year
1.27 ft+0.18 ft
Lowest and highest in 30 days
1.25 ft – 3.85 ft
Lowest and highest in 12 months
1.25 ft – 11.42 ft

What the stage means on the water

A normal level is usually prime time for floating and wade fishing, as long as the weather holds upstream.

Weather at the gauge

No rain in the last 3 days.

17 Sat 67° 48° – Wind 15 mph
18 Sun 70° 45° – Wind 11 mph
19 Mon 71° 42° – Wind 9 mph
20 Tue 76° 50° – Wind 6 mph
21 Wed 78° 52° – Wind 4 mph
22 Thu 79° 53° – Wind 4 mph
23 Fri 78° 52° – Wind 6 mph

Forecast: Open-Meteo

Sunrise 06:55 AM Sunset 06:12 PM Daylight 11 hr, 17 min First quarter 48%

Map

Other gauges on the Cahaba River

Gauge Level Compared with normal 24 hours Distance
Cahaba River near TrussvilleRiver gauge, Cahaba River 0.49 ft No reference yet −0.02 ft 31 mi
Cahaba River at TrussvilleRiver gauge, Cahaba River 0.0 cfs Low ±0 28 mi
Cahaba River near Whites ChapelRiver gauge, Cahaba River 1.17 ft Normal −0.02 ft 29 mi
Cahaba River near Mountain BrookRiver gauge, Cahaba River 0.60 ft Normal −0.04 ft 17 mi
Cahaba River near Cahaba HeightsRiver gauge, Cahaba River 1.40 ft Normal +0.01 ft 12 mi
Cahaba River near HooverRiver gauge, Cahaba River 2.59 ft Low −0.07 ft 8 mi
Cahaba River near ActonRiver gauge, Cahaba River 1.78 ft Very low −0.04 ft 7 mi
Cahaba River near West BloctonRiver gauge, Cahaba River 2.10 ft Below flood stage −0.03 ft 16 mi
Cahaba River at CentrevilleRiver gauge, Cahaba River 0.54 ft Low −0.13 ft 28 mi
Cahaba River near SuttleRiver gauge, Cahaba River 3.31 ft Low −0.17 ft 55 mi
Cahaba River near Marion JunctionRiver gauge, Cahaba River 2.14 ft Normal −0.18 ft 61 mi

Nearby gauges

Gauge Level Compared with normal 24 hours Distance
Cahaba Valley Creek at Cross Creek Road at PelhamRiver gauge, Cahaba Valley Creek 2.35 ft Normal ±0 4.8 mi
Shades Creek near GreenwoodRiver gauge, Shades Creek 1.88 ft Normal −0.02 ft 4.8 mi
Cahaba Valley Creek at Indian Trail Road near Indian SpringsRiver gauge, Cahaba Valley Creek 3.71 ft Below flood stage +0.01 ft 8 mi
Valley Creek near BessemerRiver gauge, Valley Creek 5.54 ft Very low −0.04 ft 11 mi
Shades Creek near HomewoodRiver gauge, Shades Creek 3.45 ft Normal −0.01 ft 12 mi
Valley Creek at Ave W near EnsleyRiver gauge, Valley Creek 3.89 ft Below flood stage ±0 14 mi
Little Cahaba River at Cah Bea Road near Cahaba HtsRiver gauge, Little Cahaba River 1.13 ft Low −0.22 ft 15 mi

Questions and answers

Is the Cahaba River near Helena higher than last year?

Yes, it is 0.18 ft higher than on the same day last year, when the reading was 1.27 ft.

What is a normal level for the Cahaba River near Helena in mid-October?

The median for mid-October is 1.40 ft. In 8 years out of 10 the reading falls between 1.29 ft and 1.92 ft, based on 23 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 Cahaba River near Helena today?

On Oct 18, 2026, 04:00 AM CDT, the water level was 1.45 ft. Steady over the last 24 hours.

Is Cahaba River near Helena rising or falling?

Steady over the last 24 hours. Down 1.05 ft over the last 7 days.

Is the level of Cahaba River near Helena normal?

Normal for mid-October. Compared with 23 years of daily readings for this time of year.

How often is this data updated?

The U.S. Geological Survey publishes a new reading every 15 minutes. This page refreshes within minutes of each update.

For specialists

Station codes, datum, parameters, data quality and downloads
Operator
U.S. Geological Survey
Station code
usgs:02423555 (Agency page)
Coordinates
33.28456, -86.88249 (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 1.45 ft 2026-10-18 09:00 Provisional
Flow 86.5 cfs 2026-10-18 09:00 Provisional
Water temperature 75 °F 2026-10-06 17:26 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: Cahaba River near Helena (usgs:02423555). Accessed October 18, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/alabama/cahaba-river-near-helena

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