Right now
Harpeth 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.
Harpeth River at Mcdaniel
USGS gauge 03432100
Latest reading 11:30 PM CDT, Wed, Sep 30
Gauge height
0.55 ft
Steady over 24 hours
7-day range 0.54 to 0.66 ft
Water temperature
68.0°F
20.0°C
7-day range 63.1 to 74.8 °F
Harpeth River at mile 90.5 near Franklin
USGS gauge 0343233905
Latest reading 12:15 AM CDT, Thu, Oct 1
Flow
3 cfs
Down 1 cfs in 24 hours
7-day range 3 to 6 cfs
Gauge height
1.28 ft
Down 0.05 ft in 24 hours
7-day range 1.28 to 1.39 ft
Water temperature
69.4°F
20.8°C
7-day range 63.1 to 73.9 °F
Harpeth River at Franklin
USGS gauge 03432350
Latest reading 11:15 PM CDT, Wed, Sep 30
Flow
6 cfs
Down 2 cfs in 24 hours
7-day range 6 to 9 cfs
Gauge height
3.77 ft
Down 0.06 ft in 24 hours
7-day range 3.74 to 3.87 ft
Harpeth River below Franklin
USGS gauge 03432400
Latest reading 12:00 AM CDT, Thu, Oct 1
Flow
17 cfs
Down 2 cfs in 24 hours
7-day range 8 to 22 cfs
Gauge height
1.59 ft
Steady over 24 hours
7-day range 1.39 to 1.70 ft
Harpeth River at Bellevue
USGS gauge 03433500
Latest reading 11:30 PM CDT, Wed, Sep 30
Flow
25 cfs
Steady over 24 hours
7-day range 20 to 36 cfs
Gauge height
1.06 ft
Steady over 24 hours
7-day range 1.02 to 1.13 ft
Water temperature
70.5°F
21.4°C
7-day range 64.4 to 77.5 °F
Harpeth River near Kingston Springs
USGS gauge 03434500
Latest reading 11:00 PM CDT, Wed, Sep 30
Flow
48 cfs
Down 3 cfs in 24 hours
7-day range 40 to 71 cfs
Gauge height
0.30 ft
Steady over 24 hours
7-day range 0.25 to 0.43 ft
Float trips
Floating and paddling the Harpeth River
Class I, slow and winding, with Harpeth River State Park sites along the way. The state park lists a seven-mile float around a looping meander and a 5-mile float from the Narrows through Bell’s Bend.
Narrows of the Harpeth, Bell’s Bend float
Includes a quarter-mile portage (Tennessee State Parks).
Coley Davis access to Newsom’s Mill
Length measured from the state Blueway map line.
Newsom’s Mill to Hidden Lake
Length measured from the state Blueway map line.
Narrows to Harris Street Bridge
Length measured from the state Blueway map line.
No published flow range was found for the Harpeth. The Franklin, Bellevue and Kingston Springs gauges on this page show whether the river is up or down against its week.
Put-ins and take-outs
Sources: Harpeth River State Park paddling · Tennessee statewide trails layer
Bigger purchases
Gear compared for floating the Harpeth River
The electronics, motors, boats and batteries that cost real money, compared side by side with the Tennessee water each one suits. Affiliate links.
Weather
Harpeth River weather and wind forecast
Wed, Sep 30 night
66°F
Partly Cloudy
Wind SSE 5 mph
0% chance of rain
Thu, Oct 1
93°F
Mostly Sunny
Wind S 5 to 10 mph
0% chance of rain
Thu, Oct 1 night
71°F
Partly Cloudy
Wind S 5 to 10 mph
7% chance of rain
Fri, Oct 2
88°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Wind WSW 5 to 10 mph
71% chance of rain
Fri, Oct 2 night
65°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Wind NNE 0 to 5 mph
59% chance of rain
Sat, Oct 3
78°F
Showers And Thunderstorms Likely
Wind NE 5 mph
68% chance of rain
National Weather Service forecast, updated 6:51 PM, Wed, Sep 30.
Sun and moon, Thu, Oct 8
Go fishing
Where to get on the Harpeth River
Other rivers
More Middle Tennessee rivers
Common questions
Harpeth River level and paddling questions
Where are the Harpeth River gauges?
USGS runs 6 gauges used on this page: Harpeth River at Mcdaniel; Harpeth River at mile 90.5 near Franklin; Harpeth River at Franklin; Harpeth River below Franklin; Harpeth River at Bellevue; Harpeth River near Kingston Springs.
What does cfs mean on the Harpeth 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 Harpeth 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 Harpeth 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 Harpeth River?
Class I, slow and winding, with Harpeth River State Park sites along the way. The state park lists a seven-mile float around a looping meander and a 5-mile float from the Narrows through Bell’s Bend. Sections on this page: Narrows of the Harpeth, Bell’s Bend float (5 miles); Coley Davis access to Newsom’s Mill (about 5.0 miles); Newsom’s Mill to Hidden Lake (about 2.9 miles); Narrows to Harris Street Bridge (about 5.4 miles).
What is a good level to paddle the Harpeth River?
No published flow range was found for the Harpeth. The Franklin, Bellevue and Kingston Springs gauges on this page show whether the river is up or down against its week.
Where can you put in on the Harpeth River?
Access points listed on this page: Newsom’s Mill, Hidden Lake, Hwy 249, Kingston Springs, Hwy 70, Gossett Tract, The Narrows. Each one links to driving directions.
Do you need a life jacket to kayak the Harpeth 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 Harpeth 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.