Hiwassee River at Riverside Drive near Hiawassee
Georgia — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Towns County, Georgia on the Hiwassee River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 03544970, updated every 15 minutes.
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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Flood Stages
Major Flood
14 ft
Moderate Flood
12 ft
Minor Flood
10 ft
Action Stage
8 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
14 ft
Major flood stage is reached. Extensive flooding expands into fields and woodlands near the river. Numerous trailer homes in the Enchanted Valley Resort...around one mile downstream and on the right bank of the stream gage on Riverside Drive...will be flooded. Access roads in the resort will be flooded under at least two feet of water. Evacuations of most residents will be necessary. The water level will top Riverside Drive bridge and it will be closed by county officials.
12 ft
Moderate flood stage is reached. Flooding continues to expand into fields and woodlands near the river. Several trailer homes in the Enchanted Valley Resort...around one mile downstream and on the right bank of the stream gage on Riverside Drive...will have water beginning to get into the homes. Access roads in the resort will begin to flood. Evacuations of some residents may be necessary. The water level will reach the bottom of the Riverside Drive bridge and it may be closed by county officials.
11 ft
Minor flooding continues and expands into fields and woodlands near the river. Smaller creeks and tributaries flowing into the river begin to back up. Several trailer homes on the south end of the Enchanted Valley Resort will begin to have water under them and may damage some outbuildings or sheds.
10 ft
Flood stage is reached. Minor flooding of fields and woodlands occurs in the natural flood plain. The water level gets very close to trailer homes in the Enchanted Valley Resort on the right bank and downstream from the stream gage on Riverside Drive.
9 ft
Bankfull conditions continue with water beginning to spread into the natural flood plain. The high water begins to affect backyards of trailer homes near the river in the Enchanted Valley Resort.
8 ft
Bankfull is reached with rapidly moving high water.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
7-Day Water Level Chart
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Historic Crests
| Date | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| May 30, 2018 | 11.22 ft | 2,963 cfs |
| May 30, 2018 | 11.22 ft | 2,963 cfs |
| Aug 17, 2021 | 10.87 ft | 2,810 cfs |
| Aug 17, 2021 | 10.87 ft | 2,810 cfs |
| Oct 29, 2020 | 10.85 ft | 2,802 cfs |
About This Gauge
Get Flood Alerts for Hiwassee River
StormCast monitors this gauge and sends a push notification to your phone when the water level crosses into a new flood category — even at 3 AM.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current water level of Hiwassee River at Riverside Drive near Hiawassee?
The Hiwassee River at Riverside Drive near Hiawassee gauge is maintained by USGS (site 03544970) and reports water levels every 15 minutes. Visit this page to see the latest reading updated live, or download StormCast to get push alerts when levels rise.
What is flood stage for Hiwassee River at Riverside Drive near Hiawassee?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Hiwassee River at Riverside Drive near Hiawassee is 10 feet. Action stage begins at 8 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 12 feet, and major flooding at 14 feet.
How do I get alerts when Hiwassee River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Hiwassee River at Riverside Drive near Hiawassee to your watchlist. StormCast will send a push notification to your phone whenever the water level crosses into a new NWS flood category — even when your screen is off.
Where is the Hiwassee River at Riverside Drive near Hiawassee gauge located?
The gauge is located in Towns County, Georgia at coordinates 34.8839°N, 83.7217°W. USGS site number: 03544970. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey
- Automated gauge readings are now available, courtesy of the USGS.
- The above river forecast includes future rainfall. Forecast stages may be different if the rainfall does not occur.