Coosa River at Wetumpka
Alabama · Paddling & whitewater
Measured at USGS 02411600 — COOSA RIVER AT WETUMPKA AL · NWS forecast point WETA1
Reading taken Jul 28, 11:30 PM UTC
In its normal runnable range
At — CFS, this gauge is running 105% of normal for late July — close to the 12 CFS median USGS has recorded for this date across 44 years of record (1981–2026).
Data-derived guidance from USGS and NWS published values — not official advice, and not a safety assessment.
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Flood stages at Wetumpka
Official National Weather Service categories for gauge WETA1, issued by WFO BMX. Impact statements are the NWS's own wording for this location, reproduced verbatim.
-
Major flood 54.0 ft
- 54.0 ft Homes and property between the bridge and North Alabama Street begin to flood. At this level water also begins to overflow a portion of U.S. Highway 231 North.
- 54.5 ft Water reaches Hill Street in downtown Wetumpka.
- 55.5 ft Water reaches the intersection of East Bridge and South Main Street.
- 56.0 ft Church property at First Presbyterian begins to flood.
- 58.0 ft Flooding becomes severe with much flooding of the business district and residences in the area.
-
Moderate flood 47.0 ft
- 48.0 ft Water reaches the intersection of West Bridge Street and South Alabama Street.
- 51.0 ft Property around the Wetumpka Estates mobile home community begins to flood between 51 and 54 feet.
- 52.5 ft Water reaches homes on the east side of the river along Company Street.
- 53.5 ft Property around the Farmer's Market and Animal Control facility begin to flood.
-
Minor flood 45.0 ft
- 45.0 ft Extensive flooding of farm lands begins.
-
Action 35.0 ft
- 35.0 ft Gold Star Park Boat Ramp and the River Walk are covered. Low lying farm land near the confluence of the Tallapoosa and Coosa Rivers begins to flood.
- Right now 12.81 ft
12 months of flow at Wetumpka
Daily values from USGS gauge 02411600. Provisional data, subject to revision.
Highest crests on record at Wetumpka
| Stage | Flow | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 57.90 ft | — | Apr 8, 1938 |
| 55.60 ft | — | Dec 11, 1919 |
| 55.50 ft | — | Feb 25, 1961 |
| 55.40 ft | — | Mar 16, 1929 |
| 55.40 ft | — | Apr 14, 1979 |
| 54.20 ft | — | Nov 30, 1948 |
| 52.90 ft | — | Jan 19, 1925 |
| 52.30 ft | — | Feb 7, 1936 |
| 51.46 ft | — | Mar 18, 1990 |
| 49.10 ft | — | Jan 21, 1947 |
Historical crests published by the National Weather Service for this gauge.
About Coosa River at Wetumpka
This gauge measures Coosa River at Wetumpka, Alabama — the reading paddlers, anglers and outfitters on this stretch check before committing to a shuttle.
Guided whitewater wholly dependent on Jordan Dam releases.
Raw CFS means little on its own, so every reading on this page is shown against the USGS median for the same calendar day — 12 CFS for late July, from 44 years of record.
Because the National Weather Service also operates a forecast point here, the page carries the official flood-category ladder and the NWS's own stage-by-stage impact statements.
Coosa River at Wetumpka — common questions
What is the current flow on Coosa River at Wetumpka?
The live reading comes from USGS gauge 02411600, which reports every 15 to 60 minutes. The current value is shown at the top of this page.
Is that high or low for this time of year?
The USGS median flow for late July at this gauge is 12 CFS, calculated from 44 years of record (1981–2026). Comparing today's reading against that median is the only way a raw CFS number tells you anything — 200 CFS is a drought on one river and a flood on another.
How often does this reading update?
USGS transmits from this gauge every 15 to 60 minutes. This page bakes in the most recent reading when it is rebuilt, then refreshes live from USGS when you open it. Readings are provisional and subject to revision by USGS.
What is a runnable level on this stretch?
riverlvl deliberately does not publish a runnable range. American Whitewater and the local paddling community maintain the correlations for this reach, and they are the authority. This page gives you the raw inputs — current CFS, gage height, the seasonal median, and the 12-month hydrograph — so you can apply whatever range you trust.
How fast can this gauge come up?
This is a free-flowing gauge, so it rises with rain in the basin. The 12-month chart on this page shows the shape of the past year's rises, which is the best available guide to how flashy this particular reach is.
Where does this data come from?
The flow and gage height come from USGS gauge 02411600, public-domain data from the U.S. Geological Survey. The flood categories, impact statements and forecast come from the National Weather Service's National Water Prediction Service, gauge WETA1.