Chattahoochee River at GA 280 near Atlanta
Flood levels
Official flood levels at this gauge: action stage begins at 22.0 ft; minor flooding begins at 24.0 ft; moderate flooding begins at 28.0 ft; major flooding begins at 31.0 ft.
| Action stage | 22.0 ft |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 24.0 ft |
| Moderate flooding | 28.0 ft |
| Major flooding | 31.0 ft |
Highest recorded crests
- 36.0 ft on Sep 22, 2009 (historic crest)
- 32.2 ft on Sep 27, 2024 (historic crest)
- 31.5 ft on Mar 17, 1990 (historic crest)
- 30.7 ft on Apr 13, 1979 (historic crest)
What the water does
National Weather Service impact statements for this gauge, in the Weather Service's own words.
| 22.0 ft | Bankfull conditions are reached along the river upstream and downstream from the gage on South Cobb Drive. |
|---|---|
| 24.0 ft | Flood stage is reached. Minor flooding occurs of the woodlands and fields in the natural flood plain upstream and downstream from the gage on South Cobb Drive. The water level reaches the railroad tracks in the industrial area on both sides of the river near the bridge. |
| 26.0 ft | Minor flooding continues in the woodlands and fields along the river upstream and downstream from the gage on South Cobb Drive. Flood waters one to two feet deep cover portions of the railroad tracks in the industrial area on both sides of the river. The water level approaches the foundations of a few commercial buildings in the area. |
| 28.0 ft | Moderate flooding begins. Significant flooding occurs along the river upstream and downstream from the gage on South Cobb Drive. Flood waters 1 to 4 feet deep cover the railroad tracks in the industrial area on both sides of the river. The water level approaches the parking lot of the sales office at a cement plant and begins to flood a portion of Paul Avenue. Also a portion of a the river access road on the Georgia Power Plant McDonough begins to flood. |
| 30.0 ft | Significant flooding expands upstream and downstream from the gage on South Cobb Drive. Flood waters 1 to 6 feet deep cover the railroad tracks in this industrial area. Flood waters begin to enter commercial buildings off South Cobb Drive and River View Road. A portion of a river access road on the Georgia Power Plant McDonough will be under two feet of water. The water level reaches the parking lot of the sales office at a cement plant and a portion of Paul Avenue will be under two feet of water. |
| 31.0 ft | Major flooding begins. Widespread inundation flooding occurs from the gage on South Cobb Drive. Flood waters 1 to 7 feet deep cover the railroad tracks in this industrial area. Flood waters enter commercial buildings off South Cobb Drive and River View Road. Portions of a river access road on Plant McDonough and Paul Avenue will be under 3 feet of water. A few homes will begin to flood. Low lying areas of a cement plant near their detention pond and a supply line railroad track will begin to flood. |
| 32.0 ft | Widespread inundation flooding surrounds South Cobb Drive. Flood waters 1 to 8 feet deep cover the railroad tracks in this area. Flood waters enter commercial buildings off South Cobb Drive and River View Road. Portions of a river access road on Plant McDonough and Paul Avenue will be under 4 feet of water. A few homes will be flooded. Portions of a cement plant will be flooded with 1 to 2 feet of water. Flooding begins in their sales office. Half of a supply line railroad bridge will be topped. |
| 34.0 ft | Widespread inundation flooding surrounds South Cobb Drive. Flood waters 1 to 10 feet deep cover the railroad tracks in this area. Several commercial buildings off South Cobb Drive and River View Road will be flooded. Portions of a river access road on Plant McDonough and Paul Avenue will be under 6 feet of water. A few homes will be flooded. Half of a cement plant including their sales office will be flooded with 1 to 4 feet of water. A supply line railroad bridge will be topped with potential damage. |
| 36.0 ft | Record flooding inundates the area around South Cobb Drive. Flood waters 1 to 12 feet deep cover the railroad tracks. Several commercial buildings off South Cobb Drive and River View Road and a portion of Plant McDonough and Paul Avenue will be under 7 feet of water. A few homes will be flooded. Most of a cement plant including their sales office will be flooded with 1 to 6 feet of water. A supply line railroad bridge will be topped several feet deep. This will be similar to the September 2009 flood event. |
Forecast office: NWS Peachtree City · River Forecast Center: Southeast River Forecast Center.
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Nearby stations and gauges
- Proctor Creek at Jackson Parkway at Atlanta NWS gauge · 1.6 mi
- Proctor Creek Tributary near Atlanta NWS gauge · 1.8 mi
- Woodall Creek at Defoors Ferry Road at Atlanta NWS gauge · 2.4 mi
- Nickajack Creek at US Highway 78 and 278 near Mableton NWS gauge · 2.6 mi
- Nancy Creek at West Wesley Road at Atlanta NWS gauge · 2.8 mi
- Chattahoochee River at Atlanta NWS gauge · 3.3 mi