Hocking River at Athens
Ohio — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Athens County, Ohio on the Hocking River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 03159500, 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
28 ft
40,096 cfs
Moderate Flood
22 ft
18,113 cfs
Minor Flood
20 ft
14,257 cfs
Action Stage
18 ft
10,760 cfs
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
33.7 ft
In Athens, Ohio University, U.S. Route 3, two eastern pump stations, the heating plant, and most of the city flood.
28 ft
Areas in Athens, located near the river and Ohio University, flood.
26 ft
Areas in downtown Athens begin to flood. Water surrounds the hospital.
25 ft
In Coolville, Frost Road bridge floods.
24 ft
In Nelsonville, four homes adjacent to the river and across railroad below Farrow Street flood.
23 ft
Numerous homes and roads along the mouth of the river flood. In Athens, several businesses and homes along West Union Street near the river flood.
22.5 ft
Numerous homes and roads along the river, approximately 1 mile upstream from Ohio River, flood. In Coolville, Frost Road and Ohio Route 144 flood.
22 ft
Sections of East State Street along with adjacent business parking lots flood. Ohio Route 33 south of Nelsonville begins to flood.
21.5 ft
Four homes along 1100 block of Harmony Road flood at 21 to 22 feet. Athens Community Center parking lot and tennis courts flood.
21 ft
South Canaan Road and Township Road 605 in the vicinity of US Route 50 flood. Glen Ebon Road begins to flood. Hockhocking Adena Bikeway near West State Street begins to flood. In Chauncey, areas along Ohio Routes 13 and 682 flood.
20 ft
Low areas, campground, and private camps along the river between Athens and Coolville begin to flood. Much of the city of Athens is protected up to 26 feet by levees. In Nelsonville, the baseball field adjacent to Lake Hope Drive floods.
18 ft
Low sections of Harmony Road begin to flood. In Nelsonville, the baseball fields along Watkins Street flood.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 13, 1907 | 26.7 ft | 50,000 cfs |
| Mar 13, 1907 | 26.7 ft | 50,000 cfs |
| May 25, 1968 | 24.65 ft | — |
| May 25, 1968 | 24.65 ft | — |
| Mar 11, 1964 | 24.18 ft | 32,000 cfs |
About This Gauge
Get Flood Alerts for Hocking 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 Hocking River at Athens?
The Hocking River at Athens gauge is maintained by USGS (site 03159500) 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 Hocking River at Athens?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Hocking River at Athens is 20 feet. Action stage begins at 18 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 22 feet, and major flooding at 28 feet.
How do I get alerts when Hocking River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Hocking River at Athens 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 Hocking River at Athens gauge located?
The gauge is located in Athens County, Ohio at coordinates 39.3290°N, 82.0876°W. USGS site number: 03159500. 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
- River Forecasts typically include ONLY 2 days of future rain from <u>forecast issuance time</u> (lower right of graph). Occasionally 3 days of future rain included.