Right now
Clear Creek 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.
Clear Creek at Lilly Bridge near Lancing
USGS gauge 03539778
Latest reading 12:45 AM EDT, Thu, Oct 1
Flow
6 cfs
Down 1 cfs in 24 hours
7-day range 6 to 139 cfs
Gauge height
3.87 ft
Steady over 24 hours
7-day range 3.87 to 5.25 ft
Float trips
Floating and paddling the Clear Creek
Part of the Obed Wild and Scenic River, from gentle riffles to a Class IV canyon.
Barnett Bridge to Jett Bridge
Runnable range 250 to 2,000 cfs at Clear Creek at Lilly Bridge near Lancing (American Whitewater)
Jett Bridge to Lilly Bridge
Runnable range 200 to 2,500 cfs at Clear Creek at Lilly Bridge near Lancing (American Whitewater)
Lilly Bridge to Nemo
Runnable range 250 to 3,000 cfs at Clear Creek at Lilly Bridge near Lancing (American Whitewater)
Put-ins and take-outs
Sources: American Whitewater: Clear Creek
Bigger purchases
Gear compared for floating the Clear Creek
The electronics, motors, boats and batteries that cost real money, compared side by side with the Tennessee water each one suits. Affiliate links.
Weather
Clear Creek weather and wind forecast
Thu, Oct 1 night
57°F
Mostly Clear
Wind 0 mph
0% chance of rain
Thu, Oct 1
85°F
Sunny
Wind S 0 to 5 mph
0% chance of rain
Thu, Oct 1 night
64°F
Mostly Clear
Wind S 0 to 5 mph
0% chance of rain
Fri, Oct 2
85°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Wind SW 5 mph
72% chance of rain
Fri, Oct 2 night
64°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Wind 0 mph
72% chance of rain
Sat, Oct 3
76°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
Wind 0 mph
75% chance of rain
National Weather Service forecast, updated 1:06 AM, Thu, Oct 1.
Sun and moon, Fri, Oct 9
Other rivers
More Cumberland Plateau rivers
Common questions
Clear Creek level and paddling questions
Where are the Clear Creek gauges?
USGS runs 1 gauge used on this page: Clear Creek at Lilly Bridge near Lancing.
What does cfs mean on the Clear Creek?
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 Clear Creek 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.
Can you float the Clear Creek?
Part of the Obed Wild and Scenic River, from gentle riffles to a Class IV canyon. Sections on this page: Barnett Bridge to Jett Bridge (4.6 miles); Jett Bridge to Lilly Bridge (2.5 miles); Lilly Bridge to Nemo (6.8 miles).
What is a good level to paddle the Clear Creek?
Barnett Bridge to Jett Bridge: 250 to 2,000 cfs on the Clear Creek at Lilly Bridge near Lancing gauge (American Whitewater); Jett Bridge to Lilly Bridge: 200 to 2,500 cfs on the Clear Creek at Lilly Bridge near Lancing gauge (American Whitewater); Lilly Bridge to Nemo: 250 to 3,000 cfs on the Clear Creek at Lilly Bridge near Lancing gauge (American Whitewater). The badge on each section shows where the gauge is right now.
Where can you put in on the Clear Creek?
Access points listed on this page: Barnett Bridge, Jett Bridge, Lilly Bluff, Nemo. Each one links to driving directions.
Do you need a life jacket to kayak the Clear Creek?
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 Clear Creek 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.