Stones River at Donelson
Tennessee · Flood watch
Measured at USGS 03430200 — STONES RIVER AT US HWY 70 NEAR DONELSON, TN · NWS forecast point DONT1
Reading taken Jul 28, 11:00 PM UTC
Running far above normal for the date
At 571 CFS, this gauge is running 332% of normal for late July — above the 172 CFS median USGS has recorded for this date across 13 years of record (2012–2025).
Data-derived guidance from USGS and NWS published values — not official advice, and not a safety assessment.
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Flood stages at Donelson
Official National Weather Service categories for gauge DONT1, issued by WFO OHX. Impact statements are the NWS's own wording for this location, reproduced verbatim.
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Major flood 46.0 ft
- 46.0 ft Significant flooding is occurring on the Stones River below Percy Priest Dam. Impacts include Donelson Christian Academy, and industrial and commercial properties near Central Pike, Old Hickory Blvd, and Jackson Downs Blvd. Residences are also being impacted in the Polo Park and Stewarts Ferry Apartments complexes, the Rivers Edge and Stanford Estates subdivisions, and on Andrew Jackson Pkwy. Water covers Old Hickory Blvd between Andrew Jackson Pkwy and Old Lebanon Dirt Rd which may be impassable.
- 49.0 ft Significant flooding continues to impact industrial and commercial properties near Central Pike, Old Hickory Blvd, and Jackson Downs Blvd, and residences in the Polo Park and Stewaerts Ferry Apartments complexes, the Rivers Edge and Stanford Estates subdivisions, and on Andrew Jackson Pkwy. Donelson Christian Academy and recreational areas near the river are also impacted, and Old Hickory Blvd is impassable between Andrew Jackson Pkwy and Old Lebanon Dirt Rd.
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Moderate flood 41.0 ft
- 41.0 ft Widespread flooding is occurring along the river impacting parkland and other recreational areas, agricultural property, industrial and commercial property along Stoners Creek near Central Pike and Old Hickory Blvd, and structures at Donelson Christian Academy. Water approaches yards of residential properties on River Walk Dr, homes in low lying areas of the Stanford Estates subdivision, and homes on Andrew Jackson Pkwy.
- 44.0 ft Widespread flooding continues to impact parkland and recreation areas, Donelson Christian Academy, and agricultural, industrial, and commercial property along Stoners Creek near Central Pike and Old Hickory Blvd. Water reaches residences on River Walk Dr and Andrew Jackson Pkwy, the Polo Park and Stewarts Ferry Apartments complexes, the Stanford Estates subdivision, commercial properties on Jackson Downs Blvd, and a section of Old Hickory Blvd between Andrew Jackson Pkwy and Old Lebanon Dirt Rd.
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Minor flood 35.0 ft
- 35.0 ft Flooding begins along the Stones River from Percy Priest Dam to the Cumberland River. Impacts include the Stones River Greenway, parkland on Jackson Downs Blvd, Heartland Park, agricultural property, industrial property along Stoners Creek off Central Pike, portions of the old Ravenwood Golf Course, and the athletic fields near Donelson Christian Academy. Water approaches low lying areas of property on Jobee Creek Cove in the Stewarts Ferry Apartments complex.
- 38.0 ft Flooding continues to impact the greenway, parkland and recreational areas, the athletic fields at Donelson Christian Academy, the old Ravenwood Golf Course, agricultural property, industrial property near Central Pike and Brandau Rd, and property on Jobee Creek Cove in the Stewarts Ferry Apartments complex. Water approaches structures at Donelson Christian Academy, homes in Stanford Estates, and commercial property along Stoners Creek at Old Hickory Blvd, which may be inundated at higher levels.
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Action 20.0 ft
- 20.0 ft Portions of the Stones River Greenway between Percy Priest Dam and Lebanon Road are inundated.
- 23.0 ft Sections of the Stones River Greenway are impassable between Percy Priest Dam and Lebanon Road, and low lying areas along the river are inundated near the park on Jackson Downs Blvd.
- 25.0 ft The Stones River Greenway is impassable at a few locations between Percy Priest Dam and Lebanon Road, and the park area on Jackson Downs Blvd is mostly inundated.
- 29.0 ft Water continues to inundate the Stones River Greenway between Percy Priest Dam and Lebanon Road, and has completely inundated the park area on Jackson Downs Blvd. Low lying areas near the Heartland Park athletic fields begin to be inundated, as well as low lying areas along Stoners Creek near industrial property.
- 33.0 ft The Stones River Greenway, parkland on Jackson Downs Blvd, and areas near Heartland Park continue to be inundated. Low lying areas of industrial property along Stoners Creek, and agricultural property along the river begin to be inundated. Water also approaches portions of the old Ravenwood Golf Course and athletic fields near Donelson Christian Academy.
- Right now 5.95 ft
12 months of flow at Donelson
Daily values from USGS gauge 03430200. Provisional data, subject to revision.
Highest crests on record at Donelson
| Stage | Flow | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 25.50 ft | 14,200 CFS | Apr 30, 2013 |
| 22.87 ft | 15,200 CFS | Apr 27, 2017 |
| 22.75 ft | 13,200 CFS | Mar 10, 2015 |
| 15.81 ft | 8,190 CFS | Jan 2, 2016 |
| 14.02 ft | 6,180 CFS | Mar 4, 2014 |
Historical crests published by the National Weather Service for this gauge.
About Stones River at Donelson
This gauge sits on Stones River at Donelson, Tennessee, immediately below J. Percy Priest Lake. Flow here is controlled by releases from the dam, so it can change by hundreds of CFS within an hour with no rain anywhere in the basin — check it before you go, not the day before.
Raw CFS means little on its own, so every reading on this page is shown against the USGS median for the same calendar day — 172 CFS for late July, from 13 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.
Reservoir feeding this stretch
Flow at this gauge is set by releases from J. Percy Priest Lake. A full pool usually means more water is on its way down.
Stones River at Donelson — common questions
What is the current flow on Stones River at Donelson?
As of the last reading on this page, Stones River at Donelson was running 571 CFS at a gage height of 5.95 ft, or 332% of the USGS median for this date. The number updates automatically from USGS gauge 03430200, 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 172 CFS, calculated from 13 years of record (2012–2025). 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 flood stage at Donelson?
The National Weather Service sets minor flood stage at this gauge at 35.0 ft, moderate at 41.0 ft, and major at 46.0 ft. Action stage — the level at which agencies begin preparing — is 20.0 ft. The ladder on this page shows each threshold against the current reading.
What happens at each flood stage here?
The National Weather Service publishes 11 stage-by-stage impact statements for this gauge, describing what specific roads, properties and structures are affected at each level. They are reproduced verbatim on this page, lowest to highest. They are NWS descriptions, not riverlvl's.
Is there a forecast for this gauge?
This gauge does not currently carry an active NWS forecast. When one is issued, it appears on the chart alongside the observed record.