Harpeth River at Kingston Springs
Tennessee · Paddling & whitewater
Measured at USGS 03434500 — HARPETH RIVER NEAR KINGSTON SPRINGS, TN · NWS forecast point KINT1
Reading taken Jul 28, 11:00 PM UTC
Very high — big-water conditions well above the seasonal norm
At 794 CFS, this gauge is running 490% of normal for late July — above the 162 CFS median USGS has recorded for this date across 100 years of record (1925–2026).
Data-derived guidance from USGS and NWS published values — not official advice, and not a safety assessment.
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Flood stages at Kingston Springs
Official National Weather Service categories for gauge KINT1, issued by WFO OHX. Impact statements are the NWS's own wording for this location, reproduced verbatim.
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Major flood 30.0 ft
- 30.0 ft Widespread flooding impacts roads and homes along the river in Pegram, Kingston Springs, areas near Harpeth River State Park, and down past Hwy 250. Main roads are impassable including U.S. 70 near Hwy 249, W Kingston Springs Rd, and portions of Cedar Hill Rd. Water approaches Kingston Springs Rd at U.S. 70, Pinnacle Hill Rd at Kingston Springs City Park, and U.S. 70 near Cedar Hill Rd which may be impassable at higher levels. Water also approaches railroad tracks near U.S. 70 and Hwy 249.
- 32.0 ft Widespread flooding continues to impact locations in Pegram, Kingston Springs, near Harpeth River State Park, and down past Hwy 250. Main roads are impassable including U.S. 70 near Hwy 249 and near Cedar Hill Rd, E Kingston Springs Rd at U.S. 70, W Kingston Springs Rd, portions of Cedar Hill Rd, and Pinnacle Hill Rd at Kingston Springs City Park. Water reaches railroad tracks near U.S. 70 and Hwy 249, and approaches properties on Hickory Dr, Hickory Ct, Acorn Ct, Maple Ct, and Brookside Dr.
- 34.0 ft Locations in Pegram, Kingston Springs, Harpeth River State Park, and downstream past Hwy 250 continue to be impacted by flooding. Main roads are impassable including U.S. 70, Kingston Springs Rd, Cedar Hill Rd, and Pinnacle Hill Rd. Water reaches properties on Hickory Dr, Hickory Ct, Acorn Ct, Maple Ct, and Brookside Dr, and approaches Kingston Springs Elementary School and homes on U.S. 70 west of Cedar Hill Rd, Saunders Ln, and Cunningham Ct.
- 36.0 ft Extensive flooding is impacting the Harpeth River from Pegram, to Kingston Springs, and downstream past Hwy 250. U.S. 70 is impassable, as well as Kingston Springs Rd, Cedar Hill Rd, Pinnacle Hill Rd. Water reaches homes on Saunders Ln, Cunningham Ct, Narrows of the Harpeth Rd, Hickory Dr, Hickory Ct, Acorn Ct, Maple Ct, and U.S. 70 west of Cedar Hill Rd. Water reaches Kingston Springs Elementary School building and railroad tracks at Big Turnbull Creek west of Kingston Springs.
- 38.0 ft Extensive flooding continues to impact Pegram, Kingston Springs, and areas downstream past Hwy 250. Sections of U.S. 70, Kingston Springs Rd, and Cedar Hill Rd are impassable, and water approaches I-40 near mile marker 190. Water reaches homes on Saunders Ln, Cunningham Ct, Narrows of the Harpeth Rd, Hickory Dr, Hickory Ct, Acorn Ct, Maple Ct, and U.S. 70 near Cedar Hill Rd. Water reaches Kingston Springs Elementary School and railroad tracks at Big Turnbull Creek west of Kingston Springs.
- 40.0 ft Flood waters have reached major roads near the river, including I-40 near mile marker 190 with water approaching I-40 at exit 188, sections of U.S. 70, Kingston Springs Rd, and Cedar Hill Rd. Many other secondary roads and homes are also severely impacted in Pegram, Kingston Springs, and downstream past Hwy 250.
- 42.0 ft Flood waters have reached I-40 near mile marker 190 and exit 188 and travel is likely impossible. Sections of U.S. 70, Kingston Springs Rd, and Cedar Hill Rd, as well as many other secondary roads and homes are also severely impacted in Pegram, Kingston Springs, and downstream past Hwy 250.
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Moderate flood 25.0 ft
- 26.0 ft Significant flooding is impacting roads and homes including Zapata Dr, Walkup Rd, Sawyer Farms Ln, Bluff View Dr, Riverview Dr, River Chase Ct, Elkmont Pl, Riverbend Dr, Station Dr, Robinson Dr, Harpeth Meadows Dr, and Stoney Brook Dr. Water covers U.S. 70 near Hwy 249, W Kingston Springs Rd at Big Turnbull Creek, Petway Rd at Harpeth Crossing, and portions of Cedar Hill Rd near Griffintown Rd, Pickards Rd, and Mound Creek Rd. Water approaches Kingston Springs Rd at Kingston Springs Elementary.
- 28.0 ft Significant flooding continues to impact Zapata Dr, Walkup Rd, Sawyer Farms Ln, Bluff View Dr, Riverview Dr, River Chase Ct, Elkmont Pl, Riverbend Dr, Station Dr, Robinson Dr, Harpeth Meadows Dr, and Stoney Brook Dr. U.S. 70 near Hwy 249 is impassable, as well as portions of W Kingston Springs Rd at Big Turnbull Creek and at Kingston Springs Elementary, Petway Rd at Harpeth Crossing, and Cedar Hill Rd near Griffintown Rd, Pickards Rd, and Mound Creek Rd.
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Minor flood 20.0 ft
- 20.0 ft Flooding of the Kingston Springs City Park begins and water approaches Pinnacle Hill Road and East Kingstons Springs Road. Several secondary roads near the river become impassable.
- 22.0 ft Flooding continues to impact properties and structures on Zapata Dr, Sawyer Farms Ln, Bluff View Dr, Riverview Dr, as well as Kingston Springs City Park and portions of LL Burns Park. Roads near the river are also impacted, including Walkup Rd near Sawyer Farms Ln, Riverview Dr near Elkmoore Dr, and Cedar Hill Rd near Griffintown Rd. Water approaches portions of U.S. 70 near Hwy 249 and may be impassable at higher levels.
- 24.0 ft Residences on Zapata Dr, Sawyer Farms Ln, Bluff View Dr, and Riverview Dr are being impacted by flooding, as well as U.S. 70 near Hwy 249, Walkup Rd near Sawyer Farms Ln, Riverview Dr near Elkmoore Dr, and Cedar Hill Rd near Griffintown Rd. Water approaches W Kingston Springs Rd at Big Turnbull Creek, and Cedar Hill Rd at Pickards Rd which may be impassable at higher levels.
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Action 18.0 ft
- 18.0 ft Agricultural land and low-lying areas along the river continue to be inundated, including Narrows of the Harpeth Rd near Cedar Hill Rd. Water begins to impact properties on Zapata Dr, Walkup Rd, Sawyer Farms Ln, Bluff View Dr, Riverview Dr, as well as portions of Kingston Springs City Park and LL Burns Park.
- Right now 2.94 ft
12 months of flow at Kingston Springs
Daily values from USGS gauge 03434500. Provisional data, subject to revision.
Highest crests on record at Kingston Springs
| Stage | Flow | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 46.00 ft | 72,000 CFS | May 2, 2010 |
| 32.20 ft | 60,000 CFS | Jan 7, 1946 |
| 29.51 ft | 47,800 CFS | Feb 27, 1962 |
| 29.20 ft | — | Mar 1, 1902 |
| 29.00 ft | 47,000 CFS | Feb 14, 1948 |
| 28.84 ft | 40,900 CFS | Feb 14, 1989 |
| 28.75 ft | 44,500 CFS | Mar 13, 1975 |
| 28.13 ft | 42,400 CFS | May 4, 1979 |
| 27.99 ft | 41,500 CFS | Mar 22, 1955 |
| 27.12 ft | 38,200 CFS | May 19, 1983 |
Historical crests published by the National Weather Service for this gauge.
About Harpeth River at Kingston Springs
This gauge measures Harpeth River at Kingston Springs, Tennessee — the reading paddlers, anglers and outfitters on this stretch check before committing to a shuttle.
Narrows of the Harpeth; access closed below 5 ft.
Raw CFS means little on its own, so every reading on this page is shown against the USGS median for the same calendar day — 162 CFS for late July, from 100 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.
Harpeth River at Kingston Springs — common questions
What is the current flow on Harpeth River at Kingston Springs?
As of the last reading on this page, Harpeth River at Kingston Springs was running 794 CFS at a gage height of 2.94 ft, or 490% of the USGS median for this date. The number updates automatically from USGS gauge 03434500, which reports every 15 to 60 minutes.
Is that high or low for this time of year?
The USGS median flow for late July at this gauge is 162 CFS, calculated from 100 years of record (1925–2026). 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 03434500, 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 KINT1.