Middle Oconee River at US 78 at Athens
Future / Actual / Minor
OWP 2.0 WWA Modal Title
01/11/2021, 10:04 PM UTC through 01/11/2021, 10:04 PM UTC
Sender
Sent
- Downstream gauge unavailableWarning: no valid ratings curve available. Transformations to and from FEET/CFS/KCFS will not happen.
Traces and Thresholds Click to turn on/off display
Observed (OBS) 06/18/2025 9:30 PM EDTOfficial Forecast (FCST) 06/18/2025 9:24 AM EDTRecord: 25.5 ftLow Threshold: 0 ftCATEGORY STAGE 
Major Flooding 22 ft Moderate Flooding 20 ft Minor Flooding 18 ft Action 15 ft Reliability of the Forecast:
NOTE: Forecasts are issued routinely year-round.
Automated gauge readings are now available, courtesy of the USGS.
River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 48 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.
National Water Model Hydrograph
Official NWS streamflow forecasts are produced by NWS hydrologic forecasters for river gauge locations using hydrologic models which are calibrated to that location. This process considers additional guidance and information, including local expertise and experience, to produce the best forecast possible. The NWM output provides supplemental guidance to NWS forecasters and should not be considered an official NWS river forecast.
Flood Impacts
- 22 - Major flooding begins. Many streets and homes will flood in West Athens. Estimated record crest around 22 feet occurred February 28...1902.
- 21 - Moderate flooding expands. Many basements and yards and some streets are flooded in residential areas bordering the river in West Athens.
- 20 - Moderate flooding begins. Flood waters flow from behind Beechwood to the Macon Highway Bridge. One street in West Athens is usually flooded at 20 feet.
Gauge Location
Recent Crests
| 1. | 18.48 ft | on 01-11-2024 |
| 2. | 18.04 ft | on 02-08-2020 |
| 3. | 19.68 ft | on 04-21-2019 |
| 4. | 19.40 ft | on 07-03-2003 |
| 5. | 19.75 ft | on 03-21-2003 |
Recent Crests
| 1. | 18.48 ft | on 01-11-2024 |
| 2. | 18.04 ft | on 02-08-2020 |
| 3. | 19.68 ft | on 04-21-2019 |
| 4. | 19.40 ft | on 07-03-2003 |
| 5. | 19.75 ft | on 03-21-2003 |
| 6. | 21.20 ft | on 02-05-1998 |
| 7. | 18.58 ft | on 03-07-1996 |
| 8. | 20.84 ft | on 03-18-1990 |
| 9. | 20.84 ft | on 03-08-1990 |
| 10. | 19.96 ft | on 04-15-1979 |
| 11. | 20.10 ft | on 11-07-1977 |
| 12. | 20.62 ft | on 05-30-1976 |
| 13. | 18.96 ft | on 01-12-1972 |
| 14. | 20.54 ft | on 01-21-1969 |
| 15. | 18.54 ft | on 04-08-1964 |
| 16. | 18.20 ft | on 02-26-1961 |
| 17. | 19.60 ft | on 11-30-1948 |
| 18. | 20.30 ft | on 08-14-1940 |
| 19. | 23.00 ft | on 08-19-1939 |
| 20. | 19.60 ft | on 07-26-1938 |
| 21. | 21.30 ft | on 10-02-1929 |
| 22. | 23.60 ft | on 03-05-1929 |
| 23. | 25.50 ft | on 02-28-1902 |
Historic Crests
| 1. | 25.50 ft | on 02-28-1902 |
| 2. | 23.60 ft | on 03-05-1929 |
| 3. | 23.00 ft | on 08-19-1939 |
| 4. | 21.30 ft | on 10-02-1929 |
| 5. | 21.20 ft | on 02-05-1998 |
Historic Crests
| 1. | 25.50 ft | on 02-28-1902 |
| 2. | 23.60 ft | on 03-05-1929 |
| 3. | 23.00 ft | on 08-19-1939 |
| 4. | 21.30 ft | on 10-02-1929 |
| 5. | 21.20 ft | on 02-05-1998 |
| 6. | 20.84 ft | on 03-08-1990 |
| 7. | 20.84 ft | on 03-18-1990 |
| 8. | 20.62 ft | on 05-30-1976 |
| 9. | 20.54 ft | on 01-21-1969 |
| 10. | 20.30 ft | on 08-14-1940 |
| 11. | 20.10 ft | on 11-07-1977 |
| 12. | 19.96 ft | on 04-15-1979 |
| 13. | 19.75 ft | on 03-21-2003 |
| 14. | 19.68 ft | on 04-21-2019 |
| 15. | 19.60 ft | on 07-26-1938 |
| 16. | 19.60 ft | on 11-30-1948 |
| 17. | 19.40 ft | on 07-03-2003 |
| 18. | 18.96 ft | on 01-12-1972 |
| 19. | 18.58 ft | on 03-07-1996 |
| 20. | 18.54 ft | on 04-08-1964 |
| 21. | 18.48 ft | on 01-11-2024 |
| 22. | 18.20 ft | on 02-26-1961 |
| 23. | 18.04 ft | on 02-08-2020 |
Vertical Datum Table
| type | NAVD88 | STND |
|---|---|---|
| major Flooding | 577.50 ft | 22.00 ft |
| moderate Flooding | 575.50 ft | 20.00 ft |
| minor Flooding | 573.50 ft | 18.00 ft |
| action | 570.50 ft | 15.00 ft |
| Latest Value | 557.93 ft | 2.43 ft |
| Gauge Zero | 555.50 ft | 0.00 ft |
Gauge Photos
No Images Found
Collaborative Agencies
The National Weather Service prepares its forecasts and other services in collaboration with agencies like the US Geological Survey, US Bureau of Reclamation, US Army Corps of Engineers, Natural Resource Conservation Service, National Park Service, ALERT Users Group, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and many state and local emergency managers across the country. For details, please click here.