Cumberland River Near Harlan flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Cumberland River Near Harlan is flowing at 539 cfs with a gage height of 2.98 ft, rising 97% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #03401000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Cumberland River Near Harlan at a glance
How Cumberland River Near Harlan is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Cumberland River Near Harlan is flowing at 539 cfs, with the water sitting 2.98 ft at the gage. Flow is up 97% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.
This is USGS gauge #03401000 in Kentucky. Over the past 10 days the average has been 261 cfs, peaking at 539 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Cumberland River Near Harlan is expected to recede from today's 539 cfs, toward roughly 384 cfs by 2026-07-18 (likely range 169-871 cfs) -- about normal for the date.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Kentucky 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.
Cumberland River Near Harlan
The river is mainly fed by precipitation and snowmelt, and its flow is affected by several tributaries, including Poor Fork, Martins Fork, and Clover Fork. Additionally, there are several dams along the river, such as the Wolf Creek Dam and the Cheatham Dam, which regulate the flow and maintain water levels for various purposes, including hydroelectric power generation and recreational activities. Seasonally, the river experiences high flows during spring due to snowmelt and increased rainfall, while low flows occur in summer and fall. Interestingly, the Cumberland River was once known as the Shawnee River and was renamed by early American settlers in honor of the Duke of Cumberland.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Cumberland River Near Harlan's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Cumberland River Near Harlan | 539 cfs |
| Martins Fork Near Smith | 102 cfs |
| Martins Fork Above Smith | 79 cfs |
| Powell River Near Jonesville | 722 cfs |
| Poor Fork At Cumberland | 61 cfs |
| Cutshin Creek At Wooton | 246 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Cumberland River Near Harlan. 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 |
|---|---|
| Harlan 3n | 0 in |
| Carr Fork Lake | 0 in |
| Whitesburg | 0 in |
| Booneville 12sw | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Cumberland River Near Harlan.
Nearby reservoirs
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Boat launches
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River runs
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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 Cumberland River Near Harlan in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Cumberland River Near Harlan crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Cumberland River Near Harlan
Where does the streamflow data for Cumberland River Near Harlan come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 03401000. 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 Cumberland River Near Harlan 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 Cumberland River Near Harlan report
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