Rivers in Tennessee
Elk River near Prospect
Below flood stage
0.84ftStage
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 2:15 AM CDT
- Flood stage
- 25.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 0.70 ftTue, Sep 22, 7:00 AM CDT
- Record crest
- 40.90 ft1902
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 40.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 37.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 25.00 ft |
| Action | 22.00 ft |
- 40.00 ftWidespread flooding continues to impact Hwy 237 near Elkton and Prospect, as well as Prospect Elkton Rd Hwy 273 at Richland Creek, Pleasant Hill Rd at Bates Hollow Rd, Valley Ln, and Ragsdale Rd, and portions of Elkton Pike U.S. 31south of Elkton. Several structures in Prospect are flooded, and water reaches Reeves Branch Rd at Baugh Rd, the access road to the weigh station, and approaches railroad tracks at the river near the Lincoln County line.
- 38.00 ftWidespread flooding is impacting portions of Hwy 237 near Elkton and Prospect, portions of Pleasant Hill Rd at Bates Hollow Rd, Valley Ln, and Ragsdale Rd, and Elkton Pike south of Ed McCormack Rd. Several structures in Prospect on Hwy 273 south of Prospect Rd are flooded. Water approaches Prospect Elkton Rd Hwy 273 at Richland Creek, Reeves Branch Rd at Baugh Rd, the access road to the weigh station, and Elkton Pike - U.S. 31 south of Elkton, which may be impassable at higher levels.
- 36.00 ftSignificant flooding continues across southeast Giles County, impacting portions of Hwy 237 near Elkton and Prospect, portions of Pleasant Hill Rd at Bates Hollow Rd, Valley Ln, and Ragsdale Rd, and Elkton Pike U.S. 31 south of Ed McCormack Rd Ardmore Ridge Rd. Several structures in Prospect on Hwy 273 south of Prospect Rd are flooded.
- 34.00 ftSignificant flooding is occurring along the river, impacting Bryson Rd Hwy 273 east of I-65, Pleasant Hill Rd at Bates Hollow Rd, Case Rd Hwy 273 and structures in Prospect, and Bethel Prospect Rd near Birdsong Ln which are all impassable. Water approaches Elkton Pike - U.S. 31 south of Ed McCormack Rd Ardmore Ridge Rd, and Pleasant Hill Rd at Valley Ln and near Ragsdale Rd which may be impassable at higher levels.
- 32.00 ftExtensive flooding continues across southeast Giles County, impacting area roads including Baugh Rd east of I-65, and Witt Rd between Beasley Branch Rd and River Bend Rd. Water approaches Bryson Rd Hwy 273 east of I-65, Pleasant Hill Rd at Bates Hollow Rd, Case Rd Hwy 273 and structures in Prospect, and Bethel Prospect Rd near Birdsong Ln. These roads may be impassable at higher levels.
- 30.00 ftExtensive flooding of agricultural areas along the river is occurring, with flood waters reaching Old Hwy 31 near Ed McCormack Rd which is impassable. Water approaches Baugh Rd east of I-65, and Witt Rd between Beasley Branch Rd and River Bend Rd which may be impassable at higher levels.
- 28.00 ftWater approaches Old Hwy 31 near Ed McCormack Rd and may be impassable at higher levels.
- 26.00 ftFlooding is impacting agricultural areas along the river across southeast Giles County. Water covers Veto Rd near the Hargrove - Johnson bridge south of Route 273. It may be unsafe to pass and motorists should seek an alternate route.
- 24.00 ftWater approaches Veto Rd near the Hargrove - Johnson bridge and may be impassable at higher levels.
- 22.00 ftWater continues to impact low lying and agricultural areas along the river across southeast Giles County.
- 20.00 ftWater has completely inundated the Veto Boat Ramp and the Matt Gardner Elk River Access Area. The boat ramps and parking areas are completely submerged at this level and unusable. Low lying and agricultural areas along the river begin to be inundated.
- 18.00 ftWater begins to inundate the Veto Boat Ramp at the Hargrove - Johnson bridge, and the Matt Gardner Elk River Access Area.
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 16, 2026.
Crest history
83 crests on NOAA’s list since 1902.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | March 1, 1902 | 40.90 ft |
| 2 | March 17, 1973 | 40.12 ft |
| 3 | March 22, 1955 | 38.98 ft |
| 4 | February 14, 1948 | 38.17 ft |
| 5 | March 14, 1975 | 37.06 ft |
| 6 | January 11, 1974 | 36.43 ft |
| 7 | February 2, 1957 | 34.85 ft |
| 8 | March 13, 1963 | 34.26 ft |
| 9 | February 20, 1991 | 34.20 ft |
| 10 | January 6, 1949 | 34.00 ft |
| 11 | March 9, 1961 | 33.86 ft |
| 12 | February 2, 1951 | 33.66 ft |
| 13 | December 31, 1969 | 33.54 ft |
| 14 | April 6, 1983 | 33.51 ft |
| 15 | November 19, 1957 | 33.25 ft |
| 16 | January 9, 1946 | 33.20 ft |
| 17 | February 22, 1945 | 33.01 ft |
| 18 | March 21, 1980 | 32.90 ft |
| 19 | January 7, 1950 | 32.32 ft |
| 20 | February 24, 2019 | 32.31 ft |
| 21 | March 30, 1944 | 32.21 ft |
| 22 | March 6, 1989 | 32.19 ft |
| 23 | January 3, 1937 | 31.85 ft |
| 24 | February 16, 1939 | 31.74 ft |
| 25 | January 23, 1954 | 31.63 ft |
Most recent crests
- March 16, 2024: 20.91 ft
- March 3, 2023: 19.97 ft
- February 25, 2022: 26.81 ft
- April 1, 2021: 26.22 ft
- February 7, 2020: 27.06 ft
- February 24, 2019: 32.31 ft
- March 2, 2018: 28.04 ft
- January 23, 2017: 12.86 ft
- December 27, 2015: 24.22 ft
- June 5, 2015: 18.90 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
Forecasts by the Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely year-round.
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.