Summary
Total streamflow across the
Cumberland River
was last observed at
20,431
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
40,524
acre-ft of water today; about 57%
of normal.
River levels are low and may signify a drought.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
35,874 cfs,
with recent peaks last observed
on
2021-03-29 when daily discharge volume was observed at
205,510 cfs.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
Cumberland River At Nashville
reporting a streamflow rate of 18,200 cfs.
This is also the highest stage along the Cumberland River, with a gauge stage of
19.07 ft at this location.
This river is monitored from 5 different streamgauging stations along the Cumberland River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 1,170 ft, the
Cumberland River Near Harlan.
River Details
| Last Updated | 2025-12-17 |
| Discharge Volume | 40,524 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
20,431.0 cfs
-533.0 cfs (-2.54%) |
| Percent of Normal | 56.95% |
| Maximum |
205,510.0 cfs
2021-03-29 |
| Seasonal Avg | 35,874 cfs |
River Streamflow Levels
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cumberland River Near Harlan
USGS 03401000 |
305 cfs | 2.45 ft | 3.04 | |||||
|
Cumberland River At Williamsburg
USGS 03404000 |
866 cfs | 3.97 ft | -6.68 | |||||
|
Cumberland River At Cumberland Falls
USGS 03404500 |
1060 cfs | 2.21 ft | -7.02 | |||||
|
Cumberland River At Nashville
USGS 03431500 |
18200 cfs | 19.07 ft | -2.15 | |||||
|
Cumberland River At Woodland St At Nashville
USGS 034315005 |
7180 cfs | 17.69 ft |
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile
The Cumberland River is a major waterway of the Southern United States. The 688-mile-long (1,107 km) river drains almost 18,000 square miles (47,000 km2) of southern Kentucky and north-central Tennessee. The river flows generally west from a source in the Appalachian Mountains to its confluence with the Ohio River near Paducah, Kentucky, and the mouth of the Tennessee River. Major tributaries include the Obey, Caney Fork, Stones, and Red rivers.
Although the Cumberland River basin is predominantly rural, there are also some large cities on the river, including Nashville and Clarksville, both in Tennessee. In addition, the river system has been extensively developed for flood control, with major dams impounding both the main stem and many of its important tributaries.