Rivers in Georgia
Middle Oconee River at US 78 at Athens
Below flood stage
0.87ftStage
Observed Sun, Sep 27, 7:30 AM EDT
- Flood stage
- 18.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 0.90 ftSun, Sep 27, 8:00 AM EDT
- Record crest
- 25.50 ft1902
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 22.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 20.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 18.00 ft |
| Action | 15.00 ft |
- 22.00 ftMajor flooding begins. Many streets and homes will flood in West Athens. Estimated record crest around 22 feet occurred February 28...1902.
- 21.00 ftModerate flooding expands. Many basements and yards and some streets are flooded in residential areas bordering the river in West Athens.
- 20.00 ftModerate flooding begins. Flood waters flow from behind Beechwood to the Macon Highway Bridge. One street in West Athens is usually flooded at 20 feet.
- 18.00 ftFlood Stage is reached. Residential yards are flooded in West Athens.
- 15.00 ftBankfull Stage is reached.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | Under 5% |
| Moderate flooding | Under 5% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 15, 2026.
Crest history
23 crests on NOAA’s list since 1902.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | February 28, 1902 | 25.50 ft |
| 2 | March 5, 1929 | 23.60 ft |
| 3 | August 19, 1939 | 23.00 ft |
| 4 | October 2, 1929 | 21.30 ft |
| 5 | February 5, 1998 | 21.20 ft |
| 6 | March 8, 1990 | 20.84 ft |
| 7 | March 18, 1990 | 20.84 ft |
| 8 | May 30, 1976 | 20.62 ft |
| 9 | January 21, 1969 | 20.54 ft |
| 10 | August 14, 1940 | 20.30 ft |
| 11 | November 7, 1977 | 20.10 ft |
| 12 | April 15, 1979 | 19.96 ft |
| 13 | March 21, 2003 | 19.75 ft |
| 14 | April 21, 2019 | 19.68 ft |
| 15 | November 30, 1948 | 19.60 ft |
| 16 | July 26, 1938 | 19.60 ft |
| 17 | July 3, 2003 | 19.40 ft |
| 18 | January 12, 1972 | 18.96 ft |
| 19 | March 7, 1996 | 18.58 ft |
| 20 | April 8, 1964 | 18.54 ft |
| 21 | January 11, 2024 | 18.48 ft |
| 22 | February 26, 1961 | 18.20 ft |
| 23 | February 8, 2020 | 18.04 ft |
Most recent crests
- January 11, 2024: 18.48 ft
- February 8, 2020: 18.04 ft
- April 21, 2019: 19.68 ft
- July 3, 2003: 19.40 ft
- March 21, 2003: 19.75 ft
- February 5, 1998: 21.20 ft
- March 7, 1996: 18.58 ft
- March 18, 1990: 20.84 ft
- March 8, 1990: 20.84 ft
- April 15, 1979: 19.96 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
- UpstreamMiddle Oconee River at Arcade
- North Oconee River at College Street at Athens
- Apalachee River at Snows Mill Road near Bishop
- Apalachee River at Bostwick
- Parks Creek at Lyle Field Road near Jefferson
- Oconee River at Penfield
- Mulberry Creek (GA) at Winder
- North Oconee River at Woodbridge Road near Commerce
What this means
Forecasts by the Southeast River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely year-round. Automated gauge readings are now available, courtesy of the USGS. River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 48 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.
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.