River stage
Columbus, Chattahoochee River
- River level
- 17.48 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- +0.21 ft
- Recent high
- 22.07 ft
- Recent low
- 16.65 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS CBUG1
- 30-day change
- +0.25 ft
- Average
- 18.68 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 55.20 ft
In brief
The Chattahoochee River at Columbus, GA read 17.48 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 7.52 ft below action stage. That is 0.25 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge CBUG1
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 55.20 ft | 1929-03-15 |
| 2 | 52.60 ft | 1919-12-12 |
| 3 | 49.80 ft | 1961-02-26 |
| 4 | 48.00 ft | 1925-01-19 |
| 5 | 45.89 ft | 1964-04-08 |
| 6 | 44.40 ft | 1949-11-28 |
| 7 | 43.00 ft | 1943-03-21 |
| 8 | 42.00 ft | 1913-03-15 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 25.00 ft
Bankfull conditions occur along the river upstream and downstream from the gage on the 14th Street bridge. The water level approaches the River Walk in downtown Columbus and the Phenix City Amphitheater in Alabama.
- 27.00 ft
Flood stage is reached. Minor flooding occurs along the river upstream and downstream from the gage on the 14th Street bridge. Portions of the River Walk in Columbus begin to flood and will be closed to the public. The water level continues to approach the foundation of the Phenix City Amphitheater in Alabama.
- 28.00 ft
Minor flooding continues along the river upstream and downstream from the gage on the 14th Street bridge. Portions of the River Walk in Columbus will be flooded around one foot deep and closed to the public. The Phenix City Amphitheater on the Alabama side will begin to flood.
- 30.00 ft
Minor flooding continues along the river upstream and downstream from the gage on the 14th Street bridge. Large portions of the River Walk in Columbus will be flooded up to 3 feet deep. The water level reaches the top of the boat ramp behind the Columbus Convention and Trade Center. The Phenix City Amphitheater in Alabama will be flooded up to two feet deep. Portions of the River Walk in Phenix City will begin to flood.
- 31.00 ft
Minor flooding continues along the river upstream and downstream from the gage on the 14th Street bridge. Large portions of the River Walk in Columbus will be completely covered with flowing water up to 4 feet deep. Flood waters approach the maintenance doors underneath the Columbus Convention and Trade Center. The Phenix City Amphitheater in Alabama will be flooded up to 3 feet deep. Portions of the River Walk in Phenix City will be under one foot of water and will be closed to the public.
- 32.00 ft
Minor flooding continues to expand along the river upstream and downstream from the gage on the 14th Street bridge. Large portions of the River Walk in Columbus will be completely covered with flowing water up to 5 feet deep. Flood waters reach the maintenance doors underneath the Columbus Convention and Trade Center. The Phenix City Amphitheater in Alabama will be flooded up to 4 feet deep. Portions of the River Walk in Phenix City will be under two feet of water.
- 35.00 ft
Minor flooding expands upstream and downstream from the 14th Street bridge. The River Walk in Columbus will be covered with water up to 8 feet deep. A maintenance room under the Trade Center will be flooded 3 feet deep. The Phenix City Amphitheater in Alabama will be flooded up to 7 feet deep and the access road to the complex will begin to flood. Large portions of the River Walk in Phenix City will be under 5 feet of water. Portions of the Oxbow Creek Golf Course in south Columbus will begin to flood.
- 36.00 ft
Minor flooding expands upstream and downstream from the gage at 14th Street. Most of the River Walk in Columbus will be covered with flowing water up to 9 feet deep. The restrooms by the River Walk will begin to flood. The Phenix City Amphitheater in Alabama will be flooded up to 8 feet deep and the access road to the complex will be under a foot of water. Large portions of the River Walk in Phenix City will be under 6 feet of water. Portions of the Oxbow Creek Golf Course in south Columbus will be flooded.
- 38.00 ft
Minor flooding expands upstream and downstream from the gage on 14th Street. Most of the River Walk in Columbus will be covered with flowing water up to 11 feet deep. The Phenix City Amphitheater in Alabama will be flooded up to 10 feet deep and the access road to the complex will be under 3 feet of water. Large portions of the River Walk in Phenix City will be under 8 feet of water. Portions of the Oxbow Creek Golf Course in south Columbus will be flooded with 3 feet of water.
- 41.00 ft
Minor flooding expands upstream and downstream from the gage on 14th Street. The River Walk in Columbus will be covered with flowing water up to 14 feet deep. The Phenix City Amphitheater in Alabama will be flooded up to 13 feet deep and the access road to the complex will be under 6 feet of water. Large portions of the River Walk in Phenix City will be under 11 feet of water. Portions of the Oxbow Creek Golf Course will be flooded with 6 feet of water.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Chattahoochee River flooding at Columbus?
No. The Chattahoochee River at Columbus is at 17.48 ft, 7.52 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Columbus?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 25 ft, minor flooding 27 ft, moderate flooding 42 ft and major flooding 47 ft.
What is the highest the Chattahoochee River has been at Columbus?
The highest crest on record is 55.2 ft, on 1929-03-15.
Is the Chattahoochee River high or low right now at Columbus?
At 17.48 ft it is higher than 11% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge CBUG1); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 02341460). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.