Elk River Near Pelham flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Elk River Near Pelham is flowing at 310 cfs with a gage height of 5.25 ft, receding 62% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #03578000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Elk River Near Pelham at a glance
How Elk River Near Pelham is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Elk River Near Pelham is flowing at 310 cfs, with the water sitting 5.25 ft at the gage. Flow is down 62% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #03578000 in Tennessee. Over the past 10 days the average has been 196 cfs, peaking at 837 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Elk River Near Pelham is expected to recede from today's 837 cfs, toward roughly 276 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 83-916 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 Tennessee 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.
Elk River Near Pelham
The river is fed by various tributaries including Tims Ford Lake and Cascade Creek. It is also affected by a dam at the Tims Ford Reservoir. Seasonally, the Elk River experiences high flow rates in the spring due to snowmelt and precipitation, and low flow rates in the summer and fall. The hydrology of this river is interesting because it is home to several species of fish, including smallmouth bass and rainbow trout. The river also supports recreational activities such as fishing, kayaking, and camping.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Elk River Near Pelham's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Elk River Near Pelham | 310 cfs |
| Bradley Creek Nr Prairie Plains | 20 cfs |
| Duck River Below Manchester | 514 cfs |
| Sequatchie River Near Whitwell | 144 cfs |
| Collins River Near Mcminnville | 400 cfs |
| Wartrace Creek Below County Road At Wartrace | 398 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Elk River Near Pelham. 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 |
|---|---|
| Woodville 8.0 Nne | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Elk River Near Pelham.
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 Elk River Near Pelham in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Elk River Near Pelham crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Elk River Near Pelham
Where does the streamflow data for Elk River Near Pelham come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 03578000. 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 Elk River Near Pelham 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 Elk River Near Pelham report
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