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Choctawhatchee River near Bellwood water level

River gauge, Choctawhatchee River, Alabama, United States

Directions

High for mid-October

Water level

5.72ft Down 0.25 ft over the last 24 hours

Flow
793 cfs
10 20 Highest onrecord 20.47 ft Minor floodstage 14.00 ft

History

510ftOct 13Oct 14Oct 16Oct 17Oct 19Minor flood stage510ftOct 13Oct 16Oct 19Minor flood stage
510ftSep 20Sep 27Oct 4Oct 12Oct 19Minor flood stage510ftSep 20Oct 4Oct 19Minor flood stage
51015ftOct 2025Jan 2026Apr 2026Jul 2026Oct 2026Minor flood stage51015ftOct 2025Apr 2026Oct 2026Minor flood stage
51015ftJanMarMayJulSepNov202651015ftJanAprJulOct2026

20252026

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

What this means

High water at Choctawhatchee River near Bellwood: the latest reading is 5.72 ft, above normal for mid-October.

The median for mid-October is 4.49 ft, based on 24 years of readings, so the river stage is 1.23 ft above typical. It is 8.28 ft below the flood stage of 14.00 ft.

It is still going down, by 0.25 ft over the past 24 hours. The 30-day range is 3.69 ft – 12.88 ft.

That stands out in fall, when many rivers are usually near their lowest.

Compared with 24 years of daily readings for this time of year. How to read levels

Key numbers

Median for this date
4.49 ft1.23 ft above the median for this date
Normal for this date
3.54 ft – 6.73 ft8 years in 10 fall in this range (24 years of records)
Lowest and highest in 30 days
3.69 ft – 12.88 ft
Lowest and highest in 12 months
3.69 ft – 12.88 ft
Highest on record
20.47 ftDecember 16, 2009

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 14.00 ft.

What happens at each level

14.00 ft
Water begins to flood farmland along the river downstream of County Road 45.
5.72 ft
Right now

Impact statements from the U.S. National Weather Service.

Highest crests on record

RankLevelDate
120.47 ftDecember 16, 2009
220.41 ftMarch 29, 2009
316.86 ftApril 2, 2016
416.67 ftMarch 30, 2005
516.58 ftFebruary 12, 2013
616.43 ftJanuary 3, 2017
716.35 ftDecember 26, 2015
816.28 ftSeptember 18, 2020
915.85 ftJanuary 23, 2017
1015.70 ftMarch 5, 2001

Weather at the gauge

The forecast is not available right now.

Sunrise 07:49 AM Sunset 07:08 PM Daylight 11 hr, 19 min First quarter 59%

Map

Other gauges on the Choctawhatchee River

Gauge Level Compared with normal 24 hours Distance
Choctawhatchee River near NewtonRiver gauge, Choctawhatchee River 3.95 ft Normal −0.09 ft 16 mi
Choctawhatchee River near Geneva, AlabamaRiver gauge, Choctawhatchee River 4.51 ft Normal −0.45 ft 9 mi
Choctawhatchee River near PittmanRiver gauge, Choctawhatchee River 9.84 ft High −1.05 ft 15 mi
Choctawhatchee River at CaryvilleRiver gauge, Choctawhatchee River 7.72 ft Very high −2.15 ft 27 mi
Choctawhatchee River near BruceRiver gauge, Choctawhatchee River 12.60 ft Very high −0.54 ft 49 mi

Nearby gauges

Gauge Level Compared with normal 24 hours Distance
Pea River near SamsonRiver gauge, Pea River 7.89 ft Very high −0.46 ft 19 mi
Pea River at ElbaRiver gauge, Pea River 1.24 ft Low −0.29 ft 24 mi
Pea River near AritonRiver gauge, Pea River 2.63 ft High −0.12 ft 30 mi
Holmes Creek at VernonRiver gauge, Holmes Creek 12.00 ft Normal −0.20 ft 37 mi
Bruce Creek at Sh 81 near RedbayRiver gauge, Bruce Creek 12.79 ft Very high −0.52 ft 38 mi
Conecuh River at BrantleyRiver gauge, Conecuh River 2.59 ft High −0.49 ft 40 mi

Questions and answers

What is flood stage for the Choctawhatchee River near Bellwood?

The official flood stage is 14.00 ft. The level is currently 8.28 ft below it.

What is a normal level for the Choctawhatchee River near Bellwood in mid-October?

The median for mid-October is 4.49 ft. In 8 years out of 10 the reading falls between 3.54 ft and 6.73 ft, based on 24 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 Choctawhatchee River near Bellwood today?

On Oct 19, 2026, 08:45 AM EDT, the water level was 5.72 ft. Down 0.25 ft over the last 24 hours.

Is Choctawhatchee River near Bellwood rising or falling?

Down 0.25 ft over the last 24 hours. Down 6.93 ft over the last 7 days.

Is the level of Choctawhatchee River near Bellwood normal?

High for mid-October. Compared with 24 years of daily readings for this time of year.

What is the highest water level ever recorded at Choctawhatchee River near Bellwood?

The highest level on record is 20.47 ft on December 16, 2009.

For specialists

Station codes, datum, parameters, data quality and downloads
Operator
U.S. Geological Survey
Station code
usgs:02361500 (Agency page)
Coordinates
31.15934, -85.78438 (WGS84)
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 5.72 ft 2026-10-19 12:45 Provisional
Flow 793 cfs 2026-10-19 12:45 Provisional

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How to cite

U.S. Geological Survey: Choctawhatchee River near Bellwood (usgs:02361500). Accessed October 19, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/alabama/choctawhatchee-river-near-bellwood

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