Summary
Total streamflow across the
Little Cahaba River
was last observed at
192
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
381
acre-ft of water today; about 144%
of normal.
River levels are high.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
134 cfs,
with recent peaks last observed
on
2025-04-07 when daily discharge volume was observed at
1,929 cfs.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
Little Cahaba River At Cah Bea Rd Nr Cahaba Hts Al
reporting a streamflow rate of 156 cfs.
This is also the highest stage along the Little Cahaba River, with a gauge stage of
1.72 ft at this location.
This river is monitored from 3 different streamgauging stations along the Little Cahaba River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 616 ft, the
Little Cahaba River Below Leeds.
River Details
| Last Updated | 2026-01-22 |
| Discharge Volume | 381 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
192.2 cfs
+1.1 cfs (+0.58%) |
| Percent of Normal | 143.59% |
| Maximum |
1,929.0 cfs
2025-04-07 |
| Seasonal Avg | cfs |
River Streamflow Levels
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Little Cahaba River Below Leeds
USGS 02423397 |
16 cfs | 1.29 ft | 41.23 | |||||
|
Little Cahaba River Nr Jefferson Park
USGS 02423400 |
20 cfs | 0.37 ft | -21.79 | |||||
|
Little Cahaba River At Cah Bea Rd Nr Cahaba Hts Al
USGS 02423414 |
156 cfs | 1.72 ft | 1.3 |
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile
It flows for 70 miles through Jefferson, Shelby, Bibb, and Hale counties. The river has a rich history and was once used for transportation, trade, and energy production. Today, the river is primarily used for recreational purposes such as fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. The Little Cahaba River watershed is home to several reservoirs and dams, including the Cahaba Lakes, Lake Purdy, and the Lake Purdy Dam, which provide drinking water to Birmingham and the surrounding areas. Agriculture, specifically cattle farming and timber harvesting, is another significant use of the land surrounding the river. The Little Cahaba River is a vital component of the Cahaba River system and a valuable resource for the people of central Alabama.