Oconee River Near Penfield flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Oconee River Near Penfield is flowing at 265 cfs with a gage height of 3.20 ft, receding 34% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #02218300, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Oconee River Near Penfield at a glance
How Oconee River Near Penfield is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Oconee River Near Penfield is flowing at 265 cfs, with the water sitting 3.20 ft at the gage. Flow is down 34% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #02218300 in Georgia. Over the past 10 days the average has been 239 cfs, peaking at 402 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Oconee River Near Penfield is expected to hold near today's 265 cfs, toward roughly 276 cfs by 2026-07-18 (likely range 115-665 cfs) -- running well below the seasonal normal.
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.
Oconee River Near Penfield
The river has several significant tributaries, including the Apalachee and the North Oconee. The river is also affected by several man-made dams, including the Wallace Dam and the Lake Sinclair Dam. The flow rate of the river exhibits seasonal trends, with higher flows in winter and spring due to increased rainfall. Interestingly, the Oconee River is home to several endangered species, including the Altamaha spinymussel and the robust redhorse. Additionally, the river serves as a source of drinking water for several communities in Georgia.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Oconee River Near Penfield's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Oconee River Near Penfield | 265 cfs |
| Apalachee River Near Bostwick | 106 cfs |
| Middle Oconee River Near Athens | 281 cfs |
| North Oconee River At College St | 57 cfs |
| Kettle Creek Near Washington | 2 cfs |
| Middle Oconee River Near Arcade | 228 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Oconee River Near Penfield. 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 |
|---|---|
| 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 Oconee River Near Penfield in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Oconee River Near Penfield crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Oconee River Near Penfield
Where does the streamflow data for Oconee River Near Penfield come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 02218300. 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 Oconee River Near Penfield 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 Oconee River Near Penfield report
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