Chattahoochee River At Buford Dam flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Chattahoochee River At Buford Dam is flowing at 636 cfs with a gage height of -0.53 ft. Source: USGS gauge #02334430, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Chattahoochee River At Buford Dam at a glance
How Chattahoochee River At Buford Dam is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Chattahoochee River At Buford Dam is flowing at 636 cfs, with the water sitting -0.53 ft at the gage.
This is USGS gauge #02334430 in Georgia. Over the past 10 days the average has been 636 cfs, peaking at 644 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Chattahoochee River At Buford Dam is expected to hold near today's 636 cfs, toward roughly 643 cfs by 2026-07-18 (likely range 602-686 cfs) -- drier than normal for the date.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Georgia flow report.
Streamflow Forecast
Powered by PULSE — Snoflo’s Predictive Unified Learning & Simulation Engine, which learns from how this river has answered every past storm, snowmelt, and dry spell to forecast where it’s headed with a precision generic models can’t match.
How does this compare to past years?
Year-over-year overlay, annual peak discharge, the full distribution of daily flows on record, and the gauge's rating curve.
Weather Forecast
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day forecast
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Chattahoochee River At Buford Dam
The river is fed by several tributaries including the Chestatee River and has several dams along its length. Seasonal trends show higher flows in winter and lower flows in summer due to precipitation patterns. The hydrology of the Chattahoochee River is interesting as it provides water for Atlanta and is also used for recreational activities such as fishing and boating. Additionally, the Buford Dam has a fish ladder to help fish migration and the river is home to endangered species such as the Robust Redhorse fish.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Chattahoochee River At Buford Dam's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Chattahoochee River At Buford Dam | 636 cfs |
| Richland Creek At Suwanee Dam Road | 12 cfs |
| Level Creek At Suwanee Dam Road | 4 cfs |
| Dick Creek At Old Atlanta Rd | 4 cfs |
| Suwanee Creek At Suwanee | 32 cfs |
| Chattahoochee River Near Norcross | 906 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Chattahoochee River At Buford Dam. Spring snowmelt is the dominant driver of streamflow in mountain basins -- a deep snowpack upstream means more runoff later in the season.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack |
|---|---|
| Dahlonega | 0 in |
| Jasper | 0 in |
| Sautee 3.5 Sw | 0 in |
| Carnesville 7.3 Sw | 0 in |
River levels & flood safety
- Read the level before you go
- A river that's runnable at one flow can be deadly at another. Check current discharge and gage height — like the values shown above — against the flood-stage thresholds, and remember levels can spike fast after rain or a dam release.
- Respect cold water
- Snowmelt rivers run cold even in summer. Sudden immersion triggers cold-water shock and saps strength within minutes. Wear a PFD, dress for the water temperature (not the air), and never wade or paddle alone.
- Watch for swiftwater hazards
- Strainers (downed trees), undercut rocks, and low-head dams are the deadliest features on moving water. High, fast, muddy water hides them. If in doubt, scout from shore and portage.
- Mind flash floods & releases
- Narrow canyons can flood from a storm miles upstream, and dam-controlled reaches can rise without warning. Know the forecast, the release schedule, and your exit before you launch.
Track Chattahoochee River At Buford Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Chattahoochee River At Buford Dam crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Chattahoochee River At Buford Dam
Where does the streamflow data for Chattahoochee River At Buford Dam come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 02334430. Snoflo refreshes the time series throughout the day. Forecasts come from the NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
USGS gauges report continuously (typically every 15 minutes). Snoflo pulls fresh values throughout the day — look for the "as of" timestamp on the streamflow hero card.
What's the difference between discharge and gage height?
Discharge (cubic feet per second, or cfs) is the volume of water flowing past the gauge each second. Gage height is how high the water sits at the gauge (feet). They're related by a rating curve specific to each gauge — higher water means more flow, but the exact ratio depends on channel shape.
How is "percent of median" calculated?
Today's discharge is compared to the historical median discharge on this calendar day across the gauge's full record. 100% = right on median; 200% = a very high year; 30% = a drought-level low.
What are flood stages, and is this river safe right now?
Flood stages are NWS-defined gage-height thresholds — Action, Minor, Moderate, Major — marking when nearby roads or floodplains start to be affected. "Safe" depends on your activity and skill: a level that's a fun paddle for an expert can be lethal for a wader. Always check the current level against the thresholds above and the safety links, and when in doubt, stay off the water.
Can I get alerts when Chattahoochee River At Buford Dam rises?
Yes — flow alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this gauge, set a streamflow threshold (e.g. "alert me when discharge crosses 5,000 cfs"), and you'll get a push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
Access the free Chattahoochee River At Buford Dam report
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