Little River Above Townsend flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Little River Above Townsend is flowing at 312 cfs with a gage height of 2.26 ft, rising 120% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #03497300, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Little River Above Townsend at a glance
How Little River Above Townsend is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Little River Above Townsend is flowing at 312 cfs, with the water sitting 2.26 ft at the gage. Flow is up 120% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.
This is USGS gauge #03497300 in Tennessee. Over the past 10 days the average has been 149 cfs, peaking at 312 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Little River Above Townsend is expected to hold near today's 142 cfs, toward roughly 143 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 72-282 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 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.
Little River Above Townsend
The river is dammed in several locations, including the Townsend and Walland Dams. Seasonal trends show higher flows in the spring due to snowmelt and rainfall, while summer and fall tend to be drier with lower flows. Interesting facts include the presence of several swimming holes along the river and the fact that it has been designated a "Wild and Scenic River" by the National Park Service. Additionally, the river is popular for fishing, kayaking, and tubing.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Little River Above Townsend's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Little River Above Townsend | 142 cfs |
| Little River Near Maryville | 684 cfs |
| Little River Near Alcoa | 212 cfs |
| Little Pigeon River At Sevierville | 1,570 cfs |
| Cheoah River Nr Bearpen Gap Nr Tapoco | 211 cfs |
| Tuckasegee River At Bryson City | 1,110 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Little River Above Townsend. 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 |
|---|---|
| Gatlinburg | 0 in |
| New Found Gap | 10 in |
| Bryson City 4 | 0 in |
| Kingston | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Little River Above Townsend.
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 Little River Above Townsend in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Little River Above Townsend crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Little River Above Townsend
Where does the streamflow data for Little River Above Townsend come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 03497300. 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 Little River Above Townsend 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 Little River Above Townsend report
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