Right now
Buffalo River gauges
Readings are every 15 minutes from the U.S. Geological Survey, shown hourly for the last seven days. The page checks USGS again each time it opens.
Buffalo River near Flat Woods
USGS gauge 03604000
Latest reading 12:00 AM CDT, Thu, Oct 1
Flow
125 cfs
Steady over 24 hours
7-day range 125 to 141 cfs
Gauge height
1.98 ft
Steady over 24 hours
7-day range 1.98 to 2.04 ft
Water temperature
72.9°F
22.7°C
7-day range 68.2 to 76.3 °F
Buffalo River below Lobelville
USGS gauge 03604400
Latest reading 11:30 PM CDT, Wed, Sep 30
Flow
272 cfs
Steady over 24 hours
7-day range 272 to 297 cfs
Gauge height
2.78 ft
Steady over 24 hours
7-day range 2.78 to 2.87 ft
Float trips
Floating and paddling the Buffalo River
Tennessee’s longest undammed river west of the Appalachians is mostly Class I with a few Class II spots.
Upper Buffalo: Murphy Bridge to Topsy Bridge
Runnable range 700 to 1,200 cfs at Buffalo River near Flat Woods (American Whitewater)
Put-ins and take-outs
Before you launch
- The Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association lists Henryville to Flatwoods as floatable from November through August, and the rest of the river year round.
Sources: American Whitewater: Upper Buffalo · Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association
Bigger purchases
Gear compared for floating the Buffalo River
The electronics, motors, boats and batteries that cost real money, compared side by side with the Tennessee water each one suits. Affiliate links.
Eating what you catch
Buffalo River fish consumption advisory
TDEC’s fish consumption advisory for Buffalo River, from its August 2026 list of posted waters.
From Duck River to Highway 438 ( 31.6 miles)
Mercury
Precautionary advisory for smallmouth bass.*Precautionary means: Children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers should not consume the fish species named. All other persons should limit consumption of the named species to one meal per month.
Weather
Buffalo River weather and wind forecast
Thu, Oct 1 night
66°F
Partly Cloudy
Wind SSE 5 mph
0% chance of rain
Thu, Oct 1
92°F
Mostly Sunny
Wind S 5 to 10 mph
0% chance of rain
Thu, Oct 1 night
70°F
Partly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain Showers
Wind S 5 mph
17% chance of rain
Fri, Oct 2
84°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
Wind SW 5 mph
75% chance of rain
Fri, Oct 2 night
64°F
Patchy Fog
Wind 0 mph
58% chance of rain
Sat, Oct 3
77°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Wind NNE 5 mph
67% chance of rain
National Weather Service forecast, updated 6:51 PM, Wed, Sep 30.
Sun and moon, Thu, Oct 8
USGS readings from the Buffalo River, refreshed each time the page opens.
Go fishing
Where to get on the Buffalo River
Other rivers
More Middle Tennessee rivers
Common questions
Buffalo River level and paddling questions
Where are the Buffalo River gauges?
USGS runs 2 gauges used on this page: Buffalo River near Flat Woods; Buffalo River below Lobelville.
What does cfs mean on the Buffalo River?
Cubic feet per second: the volume of water passing the gauge each second. It is the best single number for how big the river is running. Gauge height is the water surface against a fixed point at that gauge and only compares with readings from the same gauge.
How often do the Buffalo River readings update?
USGS gauges record every 15 minutes and usually report within an hour. This page checks USGS each time it opens and shows the time of the latest reading.
Is the Buffalo River water temperature measured?
Yes, at the gauges that show a temperature tile. It is the temperature at that gauge, which can differ from the water a few miles away, especially below a dam.
Can you float the Buffalo River?
Tennessee’s longest undammed river west of the Appalachians is mostly Class I with a few Class II spots. Sections on this page: Upper Buffalo: Murphy Bridge to Topsy Bridge (30.6 miles).
What is a good level to paddle the Buffalo River?
Upper Buffalo: Murphy Bridge to Topsy Bridge: 700 to 1,200 cfs on the Buffalo River near Flat Woods gauge (American Whitewater). The badge on each section shows where the gauge is right now.
Where can you put in on the Buffalo River?
Access points listed on this page: Murphy Bridge (put-in), Metal Ford (NPS), Topsy Bridge (take-out), SR 13 canoe launch, Hwy 412. Each one links to driving directions.
What should you know before paddling the Buffalo River?
The Tennessee Scenic Rivers Association lists Henryville to Flatwoods as floatable from November through August, and the rest of the river year round.
Do you need a life jacket to kayak the Buffalo River?
Yes. Tennessee requires a wearable life jacket for each person in a canoe or kayak, and anyone under 13 has to wear one while underway. Canoes and kayaks without a motor do not need to be registered.
River readings come from the U.S. Geological Survey and are provisional, as USGS publishes them. Forecasts come from the National Weather Service. Sunrise, sunset and moon phase are calculated for the location. Tennessee Fishing Spots is not affiliated with USGS or NWS.
Keep going
More the Buffalo River water, and who fishes it
Every guide and charter on this site is listed by the water they run, so you can call the captain direct. Licences, limits and the state record list are one click away too.