Hocking River At Athens flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Hocking River At Athens is flowing at 682 cfs with a gage height of 4.55 ft, rising 66% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #03159500, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Hocking River At Athens at a glance
How Hocking River At Athens is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Hocking River At Athens is flowing at 682 cfs, with the water sitting 4.55 ft at the gage. Flow is up 66% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.
This is USGS gauge #03159500 in Ohio. Over the past 10 days the average has been 345 cfs, peaking at 682 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Hocking River At Athens Oh is expected to recede from today's 682 cfs, toward roughly 487 cfs by 2026-07-18 (likely range 178-1327 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 Ohio 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.
Hocking River At Athens
The river is known for its strong seasonal fluctuations, with high flows in the spring and low flows in the late summer and fall. There are several tributaries that contribute to the Hocking River, including Sunday Creek and Federal Creek, and there are no major dams on the main stem of the river. Interesting fact: the Hocking River is known for having a high concentration of salamanders and other amphibians, making it a popular spot for herpetologists and nature enthusiasts.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Hocking River At Athens's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Hocking River At Athens Oh | 682 cfs |
| Sunday Creek Below Millfield Oh | 54 cfs |
| Monday Creek At Doanville Oh | 48 cfs |
| Raccoon Creek Near Bolin Mills Oh | 47 cfs |
| Shade River Near Chester Oh | 110 cfs |
| Muskingum River At Mcconnelsville Oh | 5,530 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Hocking River At Athens. 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 |
|---|---|
| Athens 2.3 Sse | 0 in |
| Stewart 4.6 Nne | 0 in |
| Glouster 5.7 Ne | 0 in |
| Jackson 3 Nw | 0 in |
| Ripley 5.8 S | 0 in |
| Lower Salem 9.0 Ene | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Hocking River At Athens.
Boat launches
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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 Hocking River At Athens in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Hocking River At Athens crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Hocking River At Athens
Where does the streamflow data for Hocking River At Athens come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 03159500. 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 Hocking River At Athens 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 Hocking River At Athens report
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