Cumberland River Flow Today
As of October 21, 2026 at 2:30 AM, the Cumberland River is flowing at 1,710 cfs at Nashville, TN — 26% of normal for the date and down 56% in 24 hours. 4 of 5 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 155 to 1,710 cfs. ❤ Favorite
Cumberland River map
See the Cumberland River on a live map
Every gauge, dam and paddle run on the river, one tap each:
- Gauges now — which reaches are high or low
- Dams & paddle runs — storage and what’s in range
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Cumberland River conditions today
Where the river is running versus normal, what’s rising or dropping, and what it means for a trip — built from the live USGS readings below.
At Nashville, the Cumberland River is running 1,710 cfs — 26% of normal, down 56% since yesterday. Along the river, 3 of 4 reporting gauges are near normal (the typical gauge is at 95% of normal).
In the last 24 hours the river is dropping at Nashville (-56%).
Highest against normal: Harlan at 96%. Lowest: Nashville at 26%.
Paddlers: 0 of 3 runs on the Cumberland River with a live range are in range, 3 too low.
How the Cumberland River compares to normal
Every reporting gauge from the top of the river to the bottom: bar length is today’s flow, colour is percent of normal for the date.
Flow along the river, upstream to downstream
- Harlan1,170 ft 155 cfs96%
- Williamsburg915 ft 263 cfs95%
- Cumberland Falls835 ft 248 cfs95%
- Nashville386 ft 1,710 cfs26%
Bar length uses a square-root scale so small headwater flows stay visible next to big downstream ones. Colour: <50% 50–90 90–110 110–150 150%+ of normal.
Where every gauge sits
One dot per Cumberland River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (95%).
Cumberland River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | To flood stage | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cumberland River Near Harlan KY
Oct 22, 3:30 AM · USGS 03401000 |
155 cfs | 96% | -4% | 2.04 ft | · | 1,170 ft |
|
Cumberland River At Williamsburg KY
Oct 22, 3:00 AM · USGS 03404000 |
263 cfs | 95% | -2% | 2.91 ft | 18.1 ft below | 915 ft |
|
Cumberland River At Cumberland Falls KY
Oct 22, 3:30 AM · USGS 03404500 |
248 cfs | 95% | 0% | 1.56 ft | · | 835 ft |
|
Cumberland River At Nashville TN
Oct 21, 2:30 AM · USGS 03431500 |
1,710 cfs | 26% | -56% | 16.81 ft | 23.2 ft below | 386 ft |
|
Cumberland River At Woodland St. At Nashville TN
Last reported Sep 30 · USGS 034315005 |
7,180 cfs | · | · | 17.69 ft | · | 385 ft |
USGS provisional data. Readings are in each gauge’s local time; gauges silent for more than 3 days are marked “Last reported”. Tap any gauge for its hydrograph, forecast and history.
Paddle runs on the Cumberland River
Each run is checked against its runnable range using the gauge it is keyed to (or the nearest gauge on this river).
| Run | Status | Flow now | Runnable range | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Miles Downstream From The Kentucky Highway 90 Bridge To Confluence With Cane Creek Gauge: Cumberland Falls |
Too low | 248 cfs | 400–16,000 cfs | II–III |
| Kentucky Road 478 To Kentucky Road 679 Gauge: Cumberland Falls |
Too low | 248 cfs | 2,470–5,239 cfs typical | III–II |
| Kentucky Road 679 To Confluence Of Cumberland River Gauge: Cumberland Falls |
Too low | 248 cfs | 2,470–5,239 cfs typical | III–IV |
Cumberland River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.
Maximum streamflow by year
Cumberland River
The Cumberland River is a major tributary of the Ohio River, with a length of 688 miles. It flows through Kentucky and Tennessee, and its history dates back to the early Native American settlements. The river's hydrology has been affected by numerous dams and reservoirs, including the Wolf Creek and Center Hill Dams. These structures provide flood control, hydroelectric power, and water supply for agriculture and industry. The Cumberland River is also a popular recreational destination, with opportunities for fishing, boating, and camping. Additionally, it supports agricultural activities such as crop irrigation and livestock grazing. The river has played a significant role in the economic and cultural development of the region, serving as a transportation route for goods and people throughout history.
Fishing near the Cumberland River
About the Cumberland River
How is the Cumberland River flowing right now?
As of October 21, 2026, the Cumberland River is flowing at 1,710 cfs at Nashville, TN, about 26% of normal for the date. Across its 5 USGS gauges, current flows range from 155 to 1,710 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Cumberland River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the Cumberland River is at 95% of normal for the date. Above 100% means higher than the historical average for this calendar day; below 100% means lower. The profile above shows which reaches are high or low.
What is flood stage on the Cumberland River?
The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Williamsburg (21.0 ft), Nashville (40.0 ft), . The table shows how far each gauge is below its flood stage right now.
Is the Cumberland River runnable for paddling today?
Each run in the paddle table is checked against its runnable range using its gauge's live flow.
Where does the data come from?
Discharge and gage height are from the USGS National Water Information System; flood stages from the National Weather Service. The history chart sums every monitored gauge on the river.
Can I get alerts for a gauge?
Yes — open any gauge from the table, favorite it in the Snoflo app and set a flow threshold.