Right now
Obed 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.
Obed River at Adams Bridge near Crossville
USGS gauge 03538830
Latest reading 11:45 PM CDT, Wed, Sep 30
Flow
7 cfs
Up 0 cfs in 24 hours
7-day range 6 to 20 cfs
Gauge height
4.34 ft
Steady over 24 hours
7-day range 4.32 to 4.55 ft
Water temperature
64.2°F
17.9°C
7-day range 61.3 to 73.2 °F
Float trips
Floating and paddling the Obed River
A National Park Service Wild and Scenic River in sandstone gorges. Most of it is whitewater and only runs after rain.
US 127 to Adams Bridge
Runnable range 300 to 1,000 cfs at Obed River at Adams Bridge near Crossville (American Whitewater)
Adams Bridge to Potters Ford
Runnable range 250 to 1,000 cfs at Obed River at Adams Bridge near Crossville (American Whitewater)
Potters Ford to Obed Junction
Runnable range 250 to 2,000 cfs at Obed River at Adams Bridge near Crossville (American Whitewater)
Obed Canyon: Obed Junction to Nemo
Runnable range 700 to 8,000 cfs at Emory River at Oakdale (American Whitewater)
Uses the Emory River at Oakdale gauge. The Obed Junction put-in is a half-mile carry from the NPS lot on Potters Chapel Road.
The National Park Service’s own chart for the Obed uses the Emory River at Oakdale gauge, for example 1,000 cfs minimum, 3,000 optimum and 5,000 maximum from Adams Bridge to Obed Junction, and 500 / 1,500 / 3,000 from Obed Junction to Nemo.
Put-ins and take-outs
Before you launch
- No entrance fee. Catoosa WMA closes every February and March and during big-game hunts, which cuts road access to Devils Breakfast Table.
Sources: American Whitewater: Obed · NPS Obed paddling chart
Bigger purchases
Gear compared for floating the Obed 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
Obed River weather and wind forecast
Thu, Oct 1 night
59°F
Mostly Clear
Wind 0 mph
0% chance of rain
Thu, Oct 1
86°F
Sunny
Wind S 0 to 5 mph
0% chance of rain
Thu, Oct 1 night
65°F
Mostly Clear
Wind S 0 to 5 mph
0% chance of rain
Fri, Oct 2
85°F
Chance Rain Showers
Wind SW 0 to 5 mph
49% chance of rain
Fri, Oct 2 night
63°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Patchy Fog
Wind 0 mph
72% chance of rain
Sat, Oct 3
76°F
Patchy Fog
Wind 0 mph
72% 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 Obed River
Other rivers
More Cumberland Plateau rivers
Common questions
Obed River level and paddling questions
Where are the Obed River gauges?
USGS runs 1 gauge used on this page: Obed River at Adams Bridge near Crossville.
What does cfs mean on the Obed 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 Obed 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 Obed 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 Obed River?
A National Park Service Wild and Scenic River in sandstone gorges. Most of it is whitewater and only runs after rain. Sections on this page: US 127 to Adams Bridge (9.6 miles); Adams Bridge to Potters Ford (4.1 miles); Potters Ford to Obed Junction (12 miles); Obed Canyon: Obed Junction to Nemo (9.8 miles).
What is a good level to paddle the Obed River?
US 127 to Adams Bridge: 300 to 1,000 cfs on the Obed River at Adams Bridge near Crossville gauge (American Whitewater); Adams Bridge to Potters Ford: 250 to 1,000 cfs on the Obed River at Adams Bridge near Crossville gauge (American Whitewater); Potters Ford to Obed Junction: 250 to 2,000 cfs on the Obed River at Adams Bridge near Crossville gauge (American Whitewater); Obed Canyon: Obed Junction to Nemo: 700 to 8,000 cfs on the Emory River at Oakdale gauge (American Whitewater). The badge on each section shows where the gauge is right now.
Where can you put in on the Obed River?
Access points listed on this page: Nemo, Lilly Bluff. Each one links to driving directions.
What should you know before paddling the Obed River?
No entrance fee. Catoosa WMA closes every February and March and during big-game hunts, which cuts road access to Devils Breakfast Table.
Do you need a life jacket to kayak the Obed 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 Obed 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.