Elk River near Prospect, TN

River level and flood forecast · Giles County

Normal1.1 ftas of Mon 2:15 PM

The river is 23.9 ft below flood stage (25 ft).

Forecast to fall to 0.7 ft by Sat, Oct 17, 7 AM.

Flow: 510 cubic feet per second (USGS).

The last 7 days and the forecast

NWS forecast issued Mon, Oct 12, 8:23 AM. Forecasts change as rain falls and as upstream water arrives.

Flood stages

Major flood stage	40 ft
Moderate flood stage	37 ft
Flood stage	25 ft
Action stage	22 ft
Record crest (March 1, 1902)	40.9 ft

What floods at each level

From the National Weather Service, highest first.

40 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 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 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 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 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 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 ftWater approaches Old Hwy 31 near Ed McCormack Rd and may be impassable at higher levels.
26 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 ftWater approaches Veto Rd near the Hargrove - Johnson bridge and may be impassable at higher levels.
22 ftWater continues to impact low lying and agricultural areas along the river across southeast Giles County.
20 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 ftWater begins to inundate the Veto Boat Ramp at the Hargrove - Johnson bridge, and the Matt Gardner Elk River Access Area.

Highest crests on record

40.9 ft — March 1, 1902
40.12 ft — March 17, 1973
38.98 ft — March 22, 1955
38.17 ft — February 14, 1948
37.06 ft — March 14, 1975

Recent crests: 20.91 ft (March 16, 2024) · 19.97 ft (March 3, 2023) · 26.81 ft (February 25, 2022) · 26.22 ft (April 1, 2021) · 27.06 ft (February 7, 2020)

Up and down the river, and nearby

See it on the live map →Radar & warnings for Giles County NWS gauge page USGS gauge 03584600

Not an official source. River levels, forecasts, flood stages and impacts are from the National Weather Service (PSPT1); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.