Cahaba River near Whites Chapel water level
River gauge, Cahaba River, Alabama, United States
Right now
Low for mid-October
Water level
- Flow
- 9.0 cfs
- Water temperature
- 60 °F
History
20252026
What this means
The Cahaba River near Whites Chapel is running below normal at 1.15 ft.
That puts it 0.10 ft below the median of 1.26 ft for mid-October, based on 14 years of readings. It is 7.35 ft below the flood stage of 8.50 ft. A year ago it stood at 1.36 ft (−0.21 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 1.12 ft and 1.94 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 60 °F.
Compared with 14 years of daily readings for this time of year. How to read levels
Key numbers
- Median for this date
- 1.26 ft0.10 ft below the median for this date
- Normal for this date
- 1.06 ft – 1.55 ft8 years in 10 fall in this range (14 years of records)
- Same day last year
- 1.36 ft−0.21 ft
- Lowest and highest in 30 days
- 1.12 ft – 1.94 ft
- Lowest and highest in 12 months
- 1.12 ft – 6.07 ft
Floating and fishing near Cahaba River near Whites Chapel
Low water exposes gravel bars that make good wading access, but some boat ramps may be left high and dry.
Flood stage here is 8.50 ft, 7.35 ft above the current reading. Beyond it, the National Weather Service also defines moderate and major flood stages.
What happens at each level
- 20.00 ft
- Water will begin to overtop the bridge on Whites Chapel Road.
- 17.00 ft
- Much of the lower sections of the golf course are flooded. Water reaches a home on Mack Roper Road.
- 8.50 ft
- Water overflows the golf course near hole 5 and threatens the irrigation pump.
- 1.15 ft
- Right now
Impact statements from the U.S. National Weather Service.
Weather at the gauge
The forecast is not available right now.
Map
Other gauges on the Cahaba River
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cahaba River near TrussvilleRiver gauge, Cahaba River | 0.50 ft | No reference yet | +0.01 ft | 4.9 mi |
| Cahaba River at TrussvilleRiver gauge, Cahaba River | 0.0 cfs | Low | ±0 | 3.2 mi |
| Cahaba River near Mountain BrookRiver gauge, Cahaba River | 0.59 ft | Normal | −0.01 ft | 13 mi |
| Cahaba River near Cahaba HeightsRiver gauge, Cahaba River | 1.40 ft | Normal | ±0 | 17 mi |
| Cahaba River near HooverRiver gauge, Cahaba River | 2.58 ft | Low | −0.01 ft | 21 mi |
| Cahaba River near ActonRiver gauge, Cahaba River | 1.77 ft | Very low | −0.01 ft | 23 mi |
| Cahaba River near HelenaRiver gauge, Cahaba River | 1.43 ft | Normal | −0.01 ft | 29 mi |
| Cahaba River near West BloctonRiver gauge, Cahaba River | 2.08 ft | Below flood stage | −0.01 ft | 46 mi |
| Cahaba River at CentrevilleRiver gauge, Cahaba River | 0.52 ft | Low | −0.05 ft | 57 mi |
| Cahaba River near SuttleRiver gauge, Cahaba River | 3.23 ft | Low | −0.11 ft | 83 mi |
| Cahaba River near Marion JunctionRiver gauge, Cahaba River | 2.04 ft | Normal | −0.12 ft | 88 mi |
Nearby gauges
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Cahaba River below LeedsRiver gauge, Little Cahaba River | 1.00 ft | Very low | ±0 | 4.8 mi |
| Little Cahaba River near Jefferson ParkRiver gauge, Little Cahaba River | 0.21 ft | Low | −0.01 ft | 8 mi |
| Village Creek at 86th St North at RoebuckRiver gauge, Village Creek | 1.16 ft | Normal | ±0 | 10 mi |
| Shades Creek at Elder St near SpringdaleRiver gauge, Shades Creek | 3.0 cfs | Normal | +0.4 cfs | 11 mi |
| Turkey Creek at Sewage Plant near PinsonRiver gauge, Turkey Creek | 4.83 ft | High | +0.35 ft | 11 mi |
| TRIB TO VILLAGE CREEK AT 50th ST IN BIRMINGHAMRiver gauge | 0.45 ft | Very low | +0.02 ft | 13 mi |
| Little Cahaba River at Cah Bea Road near Cahaba HtsRiver gauge, Little Cahaba River | 1.32 ft | Normal | +0.19 ft | 14 mi |
| Kelly Creek near VincentRiver gauge, Kelly Creek | 1.11 ft | Low | −0.04 ft | 14 mi |
Questions and answers
How does the Cahaba River near Whites Chapel compare with last year?
It is 0.21 ft lower than on the same day last year, when the reading was 1.36 ft.
What is flood stage for the Cahaba River near Whites Chapel?
The official flood stage is 8.50 ft. The level is currently 7.35 ft below it.
What is a normal level for the Cahaba River near Whites Chapel in mid-October?
The median for mid-October is 1.26 ft. In 8 years out of 10 the reading falls between 1.06 ft and 1.55 ft, based on 14 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 Whites Chapel today?
On Oct 18, 2026, 11:15 PM CDT, the water level was 1.15 ft. Steady over the last 24 hours.
Is Cahaba River near Whites Chapel rising or falling?
Steady over the last 24 hours. Down 0.16 ft over the last 7 days.
Is the level of Cahaba River near Whites Chapel normal?
Low for mid-October. Compared with 14 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:02423160(Agency page)- Coordinates
33.60371, -86.54915(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
| Parameter | Last value | Time (UTC) | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water level | 1.15 ft | 2026-10-19 04:15 | Provisional |
| Flow | 9.0 cfs | 2026-10-19 04:15 | Provisional |
| Water temperature | 60 °F | 2026-10-19 04:00 | Provisional |
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How to cite
U.S. Geological Survey: Cahaba River near Whites Chapel (usgs:02423160). Accessed October 19, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/alabama/cahaba-river-near-whites-chapel
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