Rivers in Alabama
Tennessee River at Decatur
Below flood stage
5.77ftStage
Observed Tue, Sep 29, 5:00 AM CDT
- Flood stage
- 9.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 5.85 ftTue, Sep 29, 12:00 PM CDT
- Record crest
- 14.80 ft1867
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 14.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 12.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 9.00 ft |
| Action | 7.50 ft |
- 14.00 ftMajor tributary flooding is occurring due to backwater. Significant portions of the city of Decatur...near the Tennessee River and Flint Creek...are flooded. Point Mallard Parkway between U.S. 31 and Priceville is completed flooded and closed. Portions of southern Limestone County near Wheeler Lake are flooded.
- 12.00 ftExtensive backwater flooding is occurring on Flint Creek and Swan Creek near Decatur. Floodwaters may threaten homes and cause road closures.
- 9.40 ftEvacuations of 200 plus campsites are ongoing at Point Mallard Campground, with 1 to 2 feet of water now affecting the majority of the campsites along the slough, approaching the Main Office on the property. Water may also be beginning to flow across Point Mallard Drive to the West of the property.
- 9.00 ftFlooding begins to affect locations on the Morgan County side of the river near Decatur, along with low-lying areas of Limestone County within the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge. Evacuations are likely ongoing at Point Mallard Campground.
- 7.50 ftBackwater continues backing up into tributaries. Flooding at Point Mallard Campground now begins to affect campsites along the river. Widespread evacuations are not required at this time, but may become likely with additional rises on the river. In Limestone County, flooding of a roadside park on the bank of the river on U.S. Highway 31 is occurring.
- 7.00 ftBackwater issues and nuisance flooding begins at this level as the Tennessee River backs up into tributaries along the river. Specifically, backwater issues begin at Point Mallard Campground with water beginning to flood the lower portions of the river bank, affecting the Spirit of America Pavilion along a nearby slough.
Crest history
9 crests on NOAA’s list since 1867.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | March 15, 1867 | 14.80 ft |
| 2 | May 10, 2003 | 10.29 ft |
| 3 | February 24, 2019 | 10.11 ft |
| 4 | March 18, 1973 | 9.97 ft |
| 5 | December 29, 2015 | 9.55 ft |
| 6 | October 6, 2004 | 9.34 ft |
| 7 | February 18, 2003 | 8.23 ft |
| 8 | February 8, 2004 | 8.09 ft |
| 9 | August 13, 2001 | 8.07 ft |
Most recent crests
- February 24, 2019: 10.11 ft
- December 29, 2015: 9.55 ft
- October 6, 2004: 9.34 ft
- February 8, 2004: 8.09 ft
- May 10, 2003: 10.29 ft
- February 18, 2003: 8.23 ft
- August 13, 2001: 8.07 ft
- March 18, 1973: 9.97 ft
- March 15, 1867: 14.80 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
- UpstreamTennessee River at Whitesburg
- DownstreamTennessee River at Florence
- Limestone Creek (AL) at Athens (Capshaw)
- Indian Creek (AL) at Madison
- Big Nance Creek (AL) at Courtland
- Pinhook Creek (AL) at Clinton Avenue in Huntsville
- Aldridge Creek (AL) at Sherwood Drive in Huntsville
- Aldridge Creek (AL) at Farley
- Aldridge Creek (AL) at Toney Drive in Huntsville
What this means
Forecasts by the Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely year-round. Gauge reading affected by reservoir operations.
Sources
Stage, flood stages, impacts and crest history from NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service. Streamflow and the daily record from the U.S. Geological Survey.