WATAUGA RIVER AT ELIZABETHTON, TN
USGS 03486000 · Tennessee · reports discharge (live), gauge height
Reading WATAUGA RIVER AT ELIZABETHTON, TN…
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USGS 03486000 · Tennessee · reports discharge (live), gauge height
What the agencies suggest
Carry a pocket thermometer to monitor water temperatureNational Park Service
General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.
Reading Nov 5, 10:00 PM EST · provisional USGS data
Falling · 24 h
Discharge, last 7 days: 169 readings from Oct 29, 11:00 PM EDT to Nov 5, 10:00 PM EST; ranging 265 to 1,870 ft³/s; latest 395 ft³/s.
USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.
| Time | Discharge (ft³/s) | Gauge height (ft) |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 10:00 PM EST | 395 | 3.04 |
| Nov 5, 9:00 PM EST | 395 | 3.04 |
| Nov 5, 8:00 PM EST | 395 | 3.04 |
| Nov 5, 7:00 PM EST | 395 | 3.04 |
| Nov 5, 6:00 PM EST | 395 | 3.04 |
| Nov 5, 5:00 PM EST | 406 | 3.06 |
| Nov 5, 4:00 PM EST | 417 | 3.08 |
| Nov 5, 3:00 PM EST | 450 | 3.14 |
| Nov 5, 2:00 PM EST | 572 | 3.34 |
| Nov 5, 1:00 PM EST | 862 | 3.74 |
| Nov 5, 12:00 PM EST | 1,410 | 4.4 |
| Nov 5, 11:00 AM EST | 710 | 3.54 |
| Nov 5, 10:00 AM EST | 287 | 2.82 |
| Nov 5, 9:00 AM EST | 282 | 2.81 |
| Nov 5, 8:00 AM EST | 278 | 2.8 |
| Nov 5, 7:00 AM EST | 278 | 2.8 |
| Nov 5, 6:00 AM EST | 273 | 2.79 |
| Nov 5, 5:00 AM EST | 269 | 2.78 |
| Nov 5, 4:00 AM EST | 269 | 2.78 |
| Nov 5, 3:00 AM EST | 287 | 2.82 |
| Nov 5, 2:00 AM EST | 353 | 2.96 |
| Nov 5, 1:00 AM EST | 515 | 3.25 |
| Nov 5, 12:00 AM EST | 862 | 3.74 |
| Nov 4, 11:00 PM EST | 1,580 | 4.58 |
| Nov 4, 10:00 PM EST | 1,550 | 4.55 |
| Nov 4, 9:00 PM EST | 278 | 2.8 |
| Nov 4, 8:00 PM EST | 282 | 2.81 |
| Nov 4, 7:00 PM EST | 282 | 2.81 |
| Nov 4, 6:00 PM EST | 282 | 2.81 |
| Nov 4, 5:00 PM EST | 278 | 2.8 |
| Nov 4, 4:00 PM EST | 265 | 2.77 |
| Nov 4, 3:00 PM EST | 265 | 2.77 |
| Nov 4, 2:00 PM EST | 287 | 2.82 |
| Nov 4, 1:00 PM EST | 348 | 2.95 |
| Nov 4, 12:00 PM EST | 485 | 3.2 |
| Nov 4, 11:00 AM EST | 808 | 3.67 |
| Nov 4, 10:00 AM EST | 947 | 3.85 |
| Nov 4, 9:00 AM EST | 273 | 2.79 |
| Nov 4, 8:00 AM EST | 269 | 2.78 |
| Nov 4, 7:00 AM EST | 269 | 2.78 |
| Nov 4, 6:00 AM EST | 269 | 2.78 |
| Nov 4, 5:00 AM EST | 269 | 2.78 |
| Nov 4, 4:00 AM EST | 273 | 2.79 |
| Nov 4, 3:00 AM EST | 291 | 2.83 |
| Nov 4, 2:00 AM EST | 359 | 2.97 |
| Nov 4, 1:00 AM EST | 509 | 3.24 |
| Nov 4, 12:00 AM EST | 862 | 3.74 |
| Nov 3, 11:00 PM EST | 1,590 | 4.59 |
| Nov 3, 10:00 PM EST | 1,660 | 4.66 |
| Nov 3, 9:00 PM EST | 287 | 2.82 |
| Nov 3, 8:00 PM EST | 282 | 2.81 |
| Nov 3, 7:00 PM EST | 282 | 2.81 |
| Nov 3, 6:00 PM EST | 282 | 2.81 |
| Nov 3, 5:00 PM EST | 282 | 2.81 |
| Nov 3, 4:00 PM EST | 282 | 2.81 |
| Nov 3, 3:00 PM EST | 287 | 2.82 |
| Nov 3, 2:00 PM EST | 305 | 2.86 |
| Nov 3, 1:00 PM EST | 364 | 2.98 |
| Nov 3, 12:00 PM EST | 503 | 3.23 |
| Nov 3, 11:00 AM EST | 839 | 3.71 |
| Nov 3, 10:00 AM EST | 1,340 | 4.33 |
| Nov 3, 9:00 AM EST | 282 | 2.81 |
| Nov 3, 8:00 AM EST | 282 | 2.81 |
| Nov 3, 7:00 AM EST | 282 | 2.81 |
| Nov 3, 6:00 AM EST | 278 | 2.8 |
| Nov 3, 5:00 AM EST | 278 | 2.8 |
| Nov 3, 4:00 AM EST | 278 | 2.8 |
| Nov 3, 3:00 AM EST | 282 | 2.81 |
| Nov 3, 2:00 AM EST | 300 | 2.85 |
| Nov 3, 1:00 AM EST | 364 | 2.98 |
| Nov 3, 12:00 AM EST | 509 | 3.24 |
| Nov 2, 11:00 PM EST | 839 | 3.71 |
| Nov 2, 10:00 PM EST | 1,340 | 4.33 |
| Nov 2, 9:00 PM EST | 282 | 2.81 |
| Nov 2, 8:00 PM EST | 282 | 2.81 |
| Nov 2, 7:00 PM EST | 278 | 2.8 |
| Nov 2, 6:00 PM EST | 278 | 2.8 |
| Nov 2, 5:00 PM EST | 278 | 2.8 |
| Nov 2, 4:00 PM EST | 278 | 2.8 |
| Nov 2, 3:00 PM EST | 282 | 2.81 |
| Nov 2, 2:00 PM EST | 296 | 2.84 |
| Nov 2, 1:00 PM EST | 359 | 2.97 |
| Nov 2, 12:00 PM EST | 497 | 3.22 |
| Nov 2, 11:00 AM EST | 839 | 3.71 |
| Nov 2, 10:00 AM EST | 1,330 | 4.31 |
| Nov 2, 9:00 AM EST | 278 | 2.8 |
| Nov 2, 8:00 AM EST | 278 | 2.8 |
| Nov 2, 7:00 AM EST | 278 | 2.8 |
| Nov 2, 6:00 AM EST | 278 | 2.8 |
| Nov 2, 5:00 AM EST | 282 | 2.81 |
| Nov 2, 4:00 AM EST | 300 | 2.85 |
| Nov 2, 3:00 AM EST | 364 | 2.98 |
| Nov 2, 2:00 AM EST | 509 | 3.24 |
| Nov 2, 1:00 AM EST | 870 | 3.75 |
| Nov 2, 12:00 AM EST | 1,600 | 4.6 |
| Nov 1, 11:00 PM EST | 1,680 | 4.68 |
| Nov 1, 10:00 PM EST | 296 | 2.84 |
| Nov 1, 9:00 PM EST | 291 | 2.83 |
| Nov 1, 8:00 PM EST | 291 | 2.83 |
| Nov 1, 7:00 PM EST | 291 | 2.83 |
| Nov 1, 6:00 PM EST | 291 | 2.83 |
| Nov 1, 5:00 PM EST | 291 | 2.83 |
| Nov 1, 4:00 PM EST | 291 | 2.83 |
| Nov 1, 3:00 PM EST | 291 | 2.83 |
| Nov 1, 2:00 PM EST | 310 | 2.87 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 PM EST | 369 | 2.99 |
| Nov 1, 12:00 PM EST | 515 | 3.25 |
| Nov 1, 11:00 AM EST | 847 | 3.72 |
| Nov 1, 10:00 AM EST | 1,370 | 4.36 |
| Nov 1, 9:00 AM EST | 291 | 2.83 |
| Nov 1, 8:00 AM EST | 291 | 2.83 |
| Nov 1, 7:00 AM EST | 291 | 2.83 |
| Nov 1, 6:00 AM EST | 287 | 2.82 |
| Nov 1, 5:00 AM EST | 287 | 2.82 |
| Nov 1, 4:00 AM EST | 287 | 2.82 |
| Nov 1, 3:00 AM EST | 287 | 2.82 |
| Nov 1, 2:00 AM EST | 287 | 2.82 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 AM EST | 296 | 2.84 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 AM EDT | 314 | 2.88 |
| Nov 1, 12:00 AM EDT | 374 | 3 |
| Oct 31, 11:00 PM EDT | 522 | 3.26 |
| Oct 31, 10:00 PM EDT | 886 | 3.77 |
| Oct 31, 9:00 PM EDT | 1,620 | 4.62 |
| Oct 31, 8:00 PM EDT | 1,870 | 4.86 |
| Oct 31, 7:00 PM EDT | 1,820 | 4.82 |
| Oct 31, 6:00 PM EDT | 1,810 | 4.81 |
| Oct 31, 5:00 PM EDT | 1,790 | 4.79 |
| Oct 31, 4:00 PM EDT | 1,530 | 4.53 |
| Oct 31, 3:00 PM EDT | 300 | 2.85 |
| Oct 31, 2:00 PM EDT | 314 | 2.88 |
| Oct 31, 1:00 PM EDT | 374 | 3 |
| Oct 31, 12:00 PM EDT | 509 | 3.24 |
| Oct 31, 11:00 AM EDT | 847 | 3.72 |
| Oct 31, 10:00 AM EDT | 1,370 | 4.36 |
| Oct 31, 9:00 AM EDT | 296 | 2.84 |
| Oct 31, 8:00 AM EDT | 296 | 2.84 |
| Oct 31, 7:00 AM EDT | 296 | 2.84 |
| Oct 31, 6:00 AM EDT | 296 | 2.84 |
| Oct 31, 5:00 AM EDT | 296 | 2.84 |
| Oct 31, 4:00 AM EDT | 296 | 2.84 |
| Oct 31, 3:00 AM EDT | 296 | 2.84 |
| Oct 31, 2:00 AM EDT | 296 | 2.84 |
| Oct 31, 1:00 AM EDT | 314 | 2.88 |
| Oct 31, 12:00 AM EDT | 374 | 3 |
| Oct 30, 11:00 PM EDT | 515 | 3.25 |
| Oct 30, 10:00 PM EDT | 847 | 3.72 |
| Oct 30, 9:00 PM EDT | 1,370 | 4.36 |
| Oct 30, 8:00 PM EDT | 296 | 2.84 |
| Oct 30, 7:00 PM EDT | 296 | 2.84 |
| Oct 30, 6:00 PM EDT | 296 | 2.84 |
| Oct 30, 5:00 PM EDT | 296 | 2.84 |
| Oct 30, 4:00 PM EDT | 296 | 2.84 |
| Oct 30, 3:00 PM EDT | 296 | 2.84 |
| Oct 30, 2:00 PM EDT | 300 | 2.85 |
| Oct 30, 1:00 PM EDT | 314 | 2.88 |
| Oct 30, 12:00 PM EDT | 374 | 3 |
| Oct 30, 11:00 AM EDT | 515 | 3.25 |
| Oct 30, 10:00 AM EDT | 847 | 3.72 |
| Oct 30, 9:00 AM EDT | 1,360 | 4.35 |
| Oct 30, 8:00 AM EDT | 300 | 2.85 |
| Oct 30, 7:00 AM EDT | 296 | 2.84 |
| Oct 30, 6:00 AM EDT | 291 | 2.83 |
| Oct 30, 5:00 AM EDT | 291 | 2.83 |
| Oct 30, 4:00 AM EDT | 291 | 2.83 |
| Oct 30, 3:00 AM EDT | 291 | 2.83 |
| Oct 30, 2:00 AM EDT | 296 | 2.84 |
| Oct 30, 1:00 AM EDT | 314 | 2.88 |
| Oct 30, 12:00 AM EDT | 374 | 3 |
| Oct 29, 11:00 PM EDT | 509 | 3.24 |
Not ranked: USGS has fewer than 10 years of daily flows for this date here.
Falling over 24 hours: discharge down 74.5%, from 1,550 to 395 ft³/s. Rising or falling means a change of more than 10% in discharge (or 0.2 ft of gauge height) over 24 hours; our rule of thumb, not a USGS class.
Map of USGS gauge 03486000 and the river around it
Where WATAUGA RIVER AT ELIZABETHTON, TN sits, with 1 other gauge on the same river and our water's map point.
No current water-temperature reading at this gauge, so no temperature guidance is given. Take a stream thermometer. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency publishes no water-temperature line for trout anglers that we found. The lines below are the National Park Service's, federal guidance, not a Tennessee rule: 68°F.
This gauge is on our page for Watauga River, but no agency page we read lists its species.
Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.
Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)Guidance from the readings above and the published thresholds named with each line; not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access. Local rules and closures come first.
The National Weather Service has no flood-stage gauge here, so no official flood category is shown.
This gauge is on Watauga River: regulations, guides and shops
USGS gauge page USGS statistics
Checked Nov 5, 10:22 PM EST; readings refresh at most every 15 minutes and statistics daily. Provisional USGS data can be revised. Conditions change: re-check before you go. This is general guidance, not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access.