Chattahoochee River at Lake Sidney Lanier near Buford

The past week

Highest crests on record

When the water runs low

• 450-500 cfs

  Flow level of 450 cfs required from Buford Dam plus additional flows from tributaries between Buford Dam and Peachtree Creek should achieve the required flow of 750 cfs on the Chattahoochee River near the merger of Peachtree Creek.

• 500-538 cfs

  The stretch of the river from Buford Dam to Georgia Highway 20 is barely runnable.

• 538-650 cfs

  Buford Trout Hatchery water intake still operable when instantaneous flow is in this range.

• 650-750 cfs

  Temporary reduction in minimum flow requirement. Permitted from Nov 14, 2008 through April 30, 2009. Flow reduction can occur during the cooler time of the year without adversely affecting water quality.

• 750-850 cfs

  Standard minimum flow requirement for operations at Buford Dam.

• 850-1000 cfs

  Minimum flow to paddle the 56.2 miles from Buford Dam to Sweetwater Creek (Metro Hooch). Class I to II.

• 1000-1500 cfs

  Advantageous for recreational opportunities and resources supported by the river as it flows through the Chattahoochee River National Recreational Area (from Buford Dam to Peachtree Creek).

• 1500-2000 cfs

  Habitat values for trout peak at river flows less than 2,000 cfs.

• 2000-12000

  Habitat values for trout decline at river flow increases from 2,000 cfs to 12,000 cfs.

• 3800 cfs

  Normal, 1 large unit operating-outflow 3,800cfs

• 8000 cfs

  Normal, 2 large units operating-outflow 8,000cfs.

• 8200 cfs

  Normal, 3 units operating-outflow 8,200cfs.

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