Rivers in Tennessee

Cumberland River at Carthage

Smith County, TennesseeNWS CTHT1USGS 03425000Old Hickory office

Below flood stage
7.19ftStage

Observed Thu, Sep 24, 10:00 AM CDT

Flood stage
40.00 ft
Forecast crest
9.80 ftThu, Sep 24, 7:00 PM CDT
Record crest
59.80 ft1926

Open the live map with the river flood outlook

Flood stages and impacts

CategoryStage
Major flood47.00 ft
Moderate flood43.00 ft
Minor flood40.00 ft
Action35.00 ft
  1. 50.00 ftSignificant flooding is occurring along the river and the adjacent tributaries, affecting residential, commercial, and industrial areas in and near Carthage, Hartsville, and along the Caney Fork near Gordonsville. Water is impacting many properties west of Main St in Carthage, covering the Gordonsville Hwy at the Smith County Ag Center, and approaching the Dixon Springs Hwy near Riddleton. In Hartsville, flooding of numerous structures near Main St and Broadway is occurring.
  2. 47.00 ftFlooding along the river and adjacent tributaries is affecting residential, commercial, and industrial areas. In Carthage, water approaches Hwy 25 at Myers St and Upper Ferry Rd, and is flooding numerous properties west of Main St. In Hartsville, significant flooding of structures near Main St and Broadway begins, and water is covering Latti Reese Rd and Lock 6 Rd. Near Gordonsville, water approaches Gordonsville Hwy at the Ag Center, and water reaches the Bonnell Aluminum plant building.
  3. 45.00 ftFlooding continues to impact agricultural, residential, and commercial properties along the river and the adjcent tributaries. In Carthage, many properties along Upper Ferry Rd and west of Main St area impacted. In Hartsville, properties and structures near Main St and Broadway, as well as homes on River Front Estates Rd and Latti Reese Rd are impacted. Water begins to impact property at the Bonnell Aluminum plant near Grodonsville, and approaches Cumberland Mine Rd near Carthage.
  4. 43.00 ftWidespread flooding is occurring along the river and the adjacent tributaries. In Carthage, water is impacting businesses near Hwy 25 and Myers St, and commercial and residential structures along Upper Ferry Rd, 3rd Ave West, Swope Rd, Industrial Rd, Jefferson Rd, and Riverside Rd North. In Hartsville, properties and structures near Main St and Broadway, and portions of Latti Reese Rd are flooded.
  5. 40.00 ftWater is impacting areas along the river and adjacent tributaries including the Caney Fork River, Ward Creek, Peytons Creek, Round Lick Creek, Wilburn Creek, Dixon Creek, and Goose Creek. In Carthage, Upper Ferry Rd, 3rd Ave West, Swope Rd, Industrial Rd are impacted, with residential, commercial, and industrial properties near these roads becoming impacted at higher levels. In Hartsville, water is covering Latti Reese Rd near Hwy 10 and flooding athletic fields in town.
  6. 37.00 ftWater continues to impact agricultural and low lying areas along the river, and is impacting roads and properties near Watervale Ln/County House Cir in the Watervale community, the Carthage Speedway, and Swope Rd, Industrial Dr, Jefferson Ave West, and Upper Ferry Rd in Carthage. Athletic fields in Hartsville along Little Goose Creek are flooded as well as portions of Latti Reese Rd, and water approaches the conty park on Lock 7 Ln, and property near the Walmart Supercenter in Carthage.
  7. 35.00 ftAgricultural and low lying areas along the river are impacted by high water, as well as adjacent tributaries including the Caney Fork River, Ward Creek, Peytons Creek, Round Lick Creek, Wilburn Creek, Dixon Creek, and Goose Creek. Athletic fields along Little Goose Creek in Hartsville are covered with water, as well as portions of Watervale Ln/County House Cir. Water approaches properties along Swope Rd, Industrial Dr, Jefferson Ave West, and Upper Ferry Rd in Carthage.
  8. 32.00 ftWater begins to approach and impact low lying areas along the river, and backs up adjacent tributaries including the Caney Fork River, Ward Creek, Peytons Creek, Round Lick Creek, Wilburn Creek, Dixon Creek, Goose Creek, and Little Goose Creek. Water approaches Watervale Ln/County House Cir and the Carthage Speedway.

Flood outlook

Chance of flooding, September to November

CategoryChance
Minor floodingUnder 5%
Moderate floodingUnder 5%
Major floodingUnder 5%

The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 22, 2026.

Crest history

22 crests on NOAA’s list since 1886.

#DateStage
1December 30, 192659.80 ft
2February 4, 191858.20 ft
3March 25, 192955.90 ft
4January 26, 193754.70 ft
5April 7, 188654.40 ft
6February 15, 194854.00 ft
7February 2, 191852.50 ft
8January 10, 194650.80 ft
9March 14, 197547.95 ft
10May 3, 201046.10 ft
11February 2, 195045.20 ft
12May 8, 198440.20 ft
13March 6, 198939.72 ft
14March 21, 198035.13 ft
15May 8, 200334.30 ft
16February 19, 199133.04 ft
17February 16, 200332.10 ft
18December 1, 200431.86 ft
19March 18, 200230.43 ft
20February 4, 199030.31 ft
21May 19, 198330.04 ft
22January 23, 200625.57 ft

Most recent crests

  • May 3, 2010: 46.10 ft
  • January 23, 2006: 25.57 ft
  • December 1, 2004: 31.86 ft
  • May 8, 2003: 34.30 ft
  • February 16, 2003: 32.10 ft
  • March 18, 2002: 30.43 ft
  • February 19, 1991: 33.04 ft
  • February 4, 1990: 30.31 ft
  • March 6, 1989: 39.72 ft
  • May 8, 1984: 40.20 ft

Nearby

Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.

What this means

Forecasts by the Ohio 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.