ELK RIVER AT PROSPECT, TN
USGS 03584600 · Tennessee · reports discharge (live), gauge height
Reading ELK RIVER AT PROSPECT, TN…
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USGS 03584600 · 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, 7:15 PM CST · provisional USGS data
Above normal for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 169 readings from Oct 29, 8:15 PM CDT to Nov 5, 7:15 PM CST; ranging 315 to 7,030 ft³/s; latest 4,660 ft³/s; shaded band: typical range (25th–75th percentile) for each date.
USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.
| Time | Discharge (ft³/s) | Gauge height (ft) | Normal, 25th–75th (ft³/s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 7:15 PM CST | 4,660 | 6.12 | 959–3,140 |
| Nov 5, 6:15 PM CST | 4,630 | 6.09 | 959–3,140 |
| Nov 5, 5:15 PM CST | 4,690 | 6.15 | 959–3,140 |
| Nov 5, 4:15 PM CST | 4,820 | 6.27 | 959–3,140 |
| Nov 5, 3:15 PM CST | 4,990 | 6.44 | 959–3,140 |
| Nov 5, 2:15 PM CST | 5,210 | 6.65 | 959–3,140 |
| Nov 5, 1:15 PM CST | 5,460 | 6.88 | 959–3,140 |
| Nov 5, 12:15 PM CST | 5,690 | 7.1 | 959–3,140 |
| Nov 5, 11:15 AM CST | 5,930 | 7.32 | 959–3,140 |
| Nov 5, 10:15 AM CST | 6,160 | 7.53 | 959–3,140 |
| Nov 5, 9:15 AM CST | 6,380 | 7.73 | 959–3,140 |
| Nov 5, 8:15 AM CST | 6,610 | 7.93 | 959–3,140 |
| Nov 5, 7:15 AM CST | 6,790 | 8.09 | 959–3,140 |
| Nov 5, 6:15 AM CST | 6,930 | 8.22 | 959–3,140 |
| Nov 5, 5:15 AM CST | 7,030 | 8.3 | 959–3,140 |
| Nov 5, 4:15 AM CST | 7,030 | 8.3 | 959–3,140 |
| Nov 5, 3:15 AM CST | 6,960 | 8.24 | 959–3,140 |
| Nov 5, 2:15 AM CST | 6,790 | 8.09 | 959–3,140 |
| Nov 5, 1:15 AM CST | 6,540 | 7.87 | 959–3,140 |
| Nov 5, 12:15 AM CST | 6,160 | 7.53 | 959–3,140 |
| Nov 4, 11:15 PM CST | 5,770 | 7.17 | 783–2,430 |
| Nov 4, 10:15 PM CST | 5,360 | 6.79 | 783–2,430 |
| Nov 4, 9:15 PM CST | 5,040 | 6.48 | 783–2,430 |
| Nov 4, 8:15 PM CST | 4,780 | 6.23 | 783–2,430 |
| Nov 4, 7:15 PM CST | 4,590 | 6.05 | 783–2,430 |
| Nov 4, 6:15 PM CST | 4,420 | 5.88 | 783–2,430 |
| Nov 4, 5:15 PM CST | 4,250 | 5.71 | 783–2,430 |
| Nov 4, 4:15 PM CST | 4,050 | 5.5 | 783–2,430 |
| Nov 4, 3:15 PM CST | 3,830 | 5.28 | 783–2,430 |
| Nov 4, 2:15 PM CST | 3,610 | 5.05 | 783–2,430 |
| Nov 4, 1:15 PM CST | 3,450 | 4.87 | 783–2,430 |
| Nov 4, 12:15 PM CST | 3,310 | 4.73 | 783–2,430 |
| Nov 4, 11:15 AM CST | 3,190 | 4.59 | 783–2,430 |
| Nov 4, 10:15 AM CST | 3,080 | 4.47 | 783–2,430 |
| Nov 4, 9:15 AM CST | 3,050 | 4.44 | 783–2,430 |
| Nov 4, 8:15 AM CST | 3,080 | 4.47 | 783–2,430 |
| Nov 4, 7:15 AM CST | 3,160 | 4.56 | 783–2,430 |
| Nov 4, 6:15 AM CST | 3,250 | 4.66 | 783–2,430 |
| Nov 4, 5:15 AM CST | 3,310 | 4.73 | 783–2,430 |
| Nov 4, 4:15 AM CST | 3,340 | 4.76 | 783–2,430 |
| Nov 4, 3:15 AM CST | 3,330 | 4.75 | 783–2,430 |
| Nov 4, 2:15 AM CST | 3,290 | 4.7 | 783–2,430 |
| Nov 4, 1:15 AM CST | 3,200 | 4.6 | 783–2,430 |
| Nov 4, 12:15 AM CST | 3,040 | 4.43 | 783–2,430 |
| Nov 3, 11:15 PM CST | 2,790 | 4.15 | 640–2,890 |
| Nov 3, 10:15 PM CST | 2,490 | 3.81 | 640–2,890 |
| Nov 3, 9:15 PM CST | 2,190 | 3.45 | 640–2,890 |
| Nov 3, 8:15 PM CST | 1,920 | 3.11 | 640–2,890 |
| Nov 3, 7:15 PM CST | 1,730 | 2.88 | 640–2,890 |
| Nov 3, 6:15 PM CST | 1,660 | 2.79 | 640–2,890 |
| Nov 3, 5:15 PM CST | 1,700 | 2.83 | 640–2,890 |
| Nov 3, 4:15 PM CST | 1,770 | 2.93 | 640–2,890 |
| Nov 3, 3:15 PM CST | 1,890 | 3.08 | 640–2,890 |
| Nov 3, 2:15 PM CST | 2,010 | 3.23 | 640–2,890 |
| Nov 3, 1:15 PM CST | 2,150 | 3.4 | 640–2,890 |
| Nov 3, 12:15 PM CST | 2,300 | 3.58 | 640–2,890 |
| Nov 3, 11:15 AM CST | 2,440 | 3.74 | 640–2,890 |
| Nov 3, 10:15 AM CST | 2,580 | 3.91 | 640–2,890 |
| Nov 3, 9:15 AM CST | 2,740 | 4.09 | 640–2,890 |
| Nov 3, 8:15 AM CST | 2,870 | 4.24 | 640–2,890 |
| Nov 3, 7:15 AM CST | 3,000 | 4.38 | 640–2,890 |
| Nov 3, 6:15 AM CST | 3,100 | 4.5 | 640–2,890 |
| Nov 3, 5:15 AM CST | 3,180 | 4.58 | 640–2,890 |
| Nov 3, 4:15 AM CST | 3,200 | 4.6 | 640–2,890 |
| Nov 3, 3:15 AM CST | 3,190 | 4.59 | 640–2,890 |
| Nov 3, 2:15 AM CST | 3,100 | 4.5 | 640–2,890 |
| Nov 3, 1:15 AM CST | 2,950 | 4.33 | 640–2,890 |
| Nov 3, 12:15 AM CST | 2,730 | 4.08 | 640–2,890 |
| Nov 2, 11:15 PM CST | 2,440 | 3.74 | 710–2,460 |
| Nov 2, 10:15 PM CST | 2,120 | 3.36 | 710–2,460 |
| Nov 2, 9:15 PM CST | 1,840 | 3.02 | 710–2,460 |
| Nov 2, 8:15 PM CST | 1,680 | 2.81 | 710–2,460 |
| Nov 2, 7:15 PM CST | 1,660 | 2.78 | 710–2,460 |
| Nov 2, 6:15 PM CST | 1,710 | 2.85 | 710–2,460 |
| Nov 2, 5:15 PM CST | 1,800 | 2.96 | 710–2,460 |
| Nov 2, 4:15 PM CST | 1,910 | 3.1 | 710–2,460 |
| Nov 2, 3:15 PM CST | 2,030 | 3.25 | 710–2,460 |
| Nov 2, 2:15 PM CST | 2,150 | 3.4 | 710–2,460 |
| Nov 2, 1:15 PM CST | 2,300 | 3.58 | 710–2,460 |
| Nov 2, 12:15 PM CST | 2,440 | 3.75 | 710–2,460 |
| Nov 2, 11:15 AM CST | 2,610 | 3.94 | 710–2,460 |
| Nov 2, 10:15 AM CST | 2,770 | 4.13 | 710–2,460 |
| Nov 2, 9:15 AM CST | 2,940 | 4.32 | 710–2,460 |
| Nov 2, 8:15 AM CST | 3,110 | 4.51 | 710–2,460 |
| Nov 2, 7:15 AM CST | 3,280 | 4.69 | 710–2,460 |
| Nov 2, 6:15 AM CST | 3,430 | 4.85 | 710–2,460 |
| Nov 2, 5:15 AM CST | 3,570 | 5 | 710–2,460 |
| Nov 2, 4:15 AM CST | 3,690 | 5.13 | 710–2,460 |
| Nov 2, 3:15 AM CST | 3,780 | 5.22 | 710–2,460 |
| Nov 2, 2:15 AM CST | 3,830 | 5.28 | 710–2,460 |
| Nov 2, 1:15 AM CST | 3,820 | 5.27 | 710–2,460 |
| Nov 2, 12:15 AM CST | 3,770 | 5.21 | 710–2,460 |
| Nov 1, 11:15 PM CST | 3,630 | 5.07 | 584–2,440 |
| Nov 1, 10:15 PM CST | 3,440 | 4.86 | 584–2,440 |
| Nov 1, 9:15 PM CST | 3,200 | 4.61 | 584–2,440 |
| Nov 1, 8:15 PM CST | 2,930 | 4.31 | 584–2,440 |
| Nov 1, 7:15 PM CST | 2,650 | 3.99 | 584–2,440 |
| Nov 1, 6:15 PM CST | 2,420 | 3.72 | 584–2,440 |
| Nov 1, 5:15 PM CST | 2,250 | 3.52 | 584–2,440 |
| Nov 1, 4:15 PM CST | 2,170 | 3.42 | 584–2,440 |
| Nov 1, 3:15 PM CST | 2,150 | 3.4 | 584–2,440 |
| Nov 1, 2:15 PM CST | 2,160 | 3.41 | 584–2,440 |
| Nov 1, 1:15 PM CST | 2,170 | 3.42 | 584–2,440 |
| Nov 1, 12:15 PM CST | 2,150 | 3.4 | 584–2,440 |
| Nov 1, 11:15 AM CST | 2,130 | 3.38 | 584–2,440 |
| Nov 1, 10:15 AM CST | 2,090 | 3.33 | 584–2,440 |
| Nov 1, 9:15 AM CST | 2,010 | 3.23 | 584–2,440 |
| Nov 1, 8:15 AM CST | 1,850 | 3.03 | 584–2,440 |
| Nov 1, 7:15 AM CST | 1,620 | 2.73 | 584–2,440 |
| Nov 1, 6:15 AM CST | 1,260 | 2.24 | 584–2,440 |
| Nov 1, 5:15 AM CST | 829 | 1.61 | 584–2,440 |
| Nov 1, 4:15 AM CST | 466 | 1 | 584–2,440 |
| Nov 1, 3:15 AM CST | 355 | 0.79 | 584–2,440 |
| Nov 1, 2:15 AM CST | 335 | 0.75 | 584–2,440 |
| Nov 1, 1:15 AM CST | 340 | 0.76 | 584–2,440 |
| Nov 1, 1:15 AM CDT | 335 | 0.75 | 584–2,440 |
| Nov 1, 12:15 AM CDT | 335 | 0.75 | 584–2,440 |
| Oct 31, 11:15 PM CDT | 330 | 0.74 | 629–2,410 |
| Oct 31, 10:15 PM CDT | 330 | 0.74 | 629–2,410 |
| Oct 31, 9:15 PM CDT | 325 | 0.73 | 629–2,410 |
| Oct 31, 8:15 PM CDT | 325 | 0.73 | 629–2,410 |
| Oct 31, 7:15 PM CDT | 325 | 0.73 | 629–2,410 |
| Oct 31, 6:15 PM CDT | 320 | 0.72 | 629–2,410 |
| Oct 31, 5:15 PM CDT | 320 | 0.72 | 629–2,410 |
| Oct 31, 4:15 PM CDT | 320 | 0.72 | 629–2,410 |
| Oct 31, 3:15 PM CDT | 325 | 0.73 | 629–2,410 |
| Oct 31, 2:00 PM CDT | 320 | 0.72 | 629–2,410 |
| Oct 31, 1:00 PM CDT | 320 | 0.72 | 629–2,410 |
| Oct 31, 12:00 PM CDT | 320 | 0.72 | 629–2,410 |
| Oct 31, 11:00 AM CDT | 320 | 0.72 | 629–2,410 |
| Oct 31, 10:00 AM CDT | 320 | 0.72 | 629–2,410 |
| Oct 31, 9:00 AM CDT | 320 | 0.72 | 629–2,410 |
| Oct 31, 8:00 AM CDT | 320 | 0.72 | 629–2,410 |
| Oct 31, 7:00 AM CDT | 315 | 0.71 | 629–2,410 |
| Oct 31, 6:00 AM CDT | 320 | 0.72 | 629–2,410 |
| Oct 31, 5:00 AM CDT | 320 | 0.72 | 629–2,410 |
| Oct 31, 4:00 AM CDT | 320 | 0.72 | 629–2,410 |
| Oct 31, 3:00 AM CDT | 315 | 0.71 | 629–2,410 |
| Oct 31, 2:00 AM CDT | 320 | 0.72 | 629–2,410 |
| Oct 31, 1:00 AM CDT | 320 | 0.72 | 629–2,410 |
| Oct 31, 12:00 AM CDT | 320 | 0.72 | 629–2,410 |
| Oct 30, 11:00 PM CDT | 320 | 0.72 | 610–2,280 |
| Oct 30, 10:00 PM CDT | 320 | 0.72 | 610–2,280 |
| Oct 30, 9:00 PM CDT | 320 | 0.72 | 610–2,280 |
| Oct 30, 8:00 PM CDT | 315 | 0.71 | 610–2,280 |
| Oct 30, 7:00 PM CDT | 315 | 0.71 | 610–2,280 |
| Oct 30, 6:00 PM CDT | 320 | 0.72 | 610–2,280 |
| Oct 30, 5:00 PM CDT | 315 | 0.71 | 610–2,280 |
| Oct 30, 4:00 PM CDT | 315 | 0.71 | 610–2,280 |
| Oct 30, 3:00 PM CDT | 320 | 0.72 | 610–2,280 |
| Oct 30, 2:00 PM CDT | 320 | 0.72 | 610–2,280 |
| Oct 30, 1:00 PM CDT | 320 | 0.72 | 610–2,280 |
| Oct 30, 12:00 PM CDT | 315 | 0.71 | 610–2,280 |
| Oct 30, 11:00 AM CDT | 320 | 0.72 | 610–2,280 |
| Oct 30, 10:00 AM CDT | 315 | 0.71 | 610–2,280 |
| Oct 30, 9:00 AM CDT | 315 | 0.71 | 610–2,280 |
| Oct 30, 8:00 AM CDT | 315 | 0.71 | 610–2,280 |
| Oct 30, 7:00 AM CDT | 315 | 0.71 | 610–2,280 |
| Oct 30, 6:00 AM CDT | 315 | 0.71 | 610–2,280 |
| Oct 30, 5:00 AM CDT | 315 | 0.71 | 610–2,280 |
| Oct 30, 4:00 AM CDT | 315 | 0.71 | 610–2,280 |
| Oct 30, 3:00 AM CDT | 315 | 0.71 | 610–2,280 |
| Oct 30, 2:00 AM CDT | 315 | 0.71 | 610–2,280 |
| Oct 30, 1:00 AM CDT | 315 | 0.71 | 610–2,280 |
| Oct 30, 12:00 AM CDT | 315 | 0.71 | 610–2,280 |
| Oct 29, 11:00 PM CDT | 315 | 0.71 | 725–2,360 |
| Oct 29, 10:00 PM CDT | 320 | 0.72 | 725–2,360 |
| Oct 29, 9:00 PM CDT | 320 | 0.72 | 725–2,360 |
| Oct 29, 8:15 PM CDT | 320 | 0.72 | 725–2,360 |
Map of USGS gauge 03584600 and the river around it
Where ELK RIVER AT PROSPECT, 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.
Species the agency lists for Elk River: Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout.
Normal for Nov 5: 959–3,140 ft³/s (middle half of 50 years of record). Now: 4,660 ft³/s, above normal.
Above normal for this date. 4,660 ft³/s is between the 75th and 90th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 50 years of record (1972–2026): 10th 353, 25th 959, median 1,600, 75th 3,140, 90th 5,280 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 188 ft³/s, highest 19,000 ft³/s.
Classes as USGS labels them (hyswap: flow categories (WDFN_stats schema) (U.S. Geological Survey) ); percentiles from the USGS daily statistics (U.S. Geological Survey) (approved daily means; the reading is provisional and instantaneous).
Steady over 24 hours (+1.5% discharge). 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.
Source: Tailwater Trout (TWRA-stocked tailwaters below dams) (Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (official Tennessee Fishing Guide, eRegulations edition)).
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
Flood categories: action stage, minor, moderate and major flooding (National Weather Service)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.
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
NWS observed 6.12 ft stage, 4,740 ft³/s at Nov 5, 7:15 PM CST (NWS gauge PSPT1; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
NWS river forecast forecast issued Nov 5, 8:19 AM CST. Highest point: 7.4 ft, 6,050 ft³/s on Nov 5, 12:00 PM CST (Below NWS action stage).
| Day | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 5 | 7.4 ft | 6,050 ft³/s |
| Fri, Nov 6 | 6.9 ft | 5,530 ft³/s |
| Sat, Nov 7 | 6.4 ft | 5,020 ft³/s |
| Sun, Nov 8 | 6.1 ft | 4,720 ft³/s |
| Mon, Nov 9 | 4.9 ft | 3,520 ft³/s |
| Tue, Nov 10 | 4.7 ft | 3,340 ft³/s |
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
Checked Nov 5, 7:58 PM CST; 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.