River stage
Prospect, Elk River
- River level
- 0.98 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- +0.13 ft
- Recent high
- 8.07 ft
- Recent low
- 0.67 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS PSPT1
- 30-day change
- +0.20 ft
- Average
- 2.01 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 40.90 ft
In brief
The Elk River at Prospect, TN read 0.98 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 21.02 ft below action stage. That is 0.20 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge PSPT1
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 40.90 ft | 1902-03-01 |
| 2 | 40.12 ft | 1973-03-17 |
| 3 | 38.98 ft | 1955-03-22 |
| 4 | 38.17 ft | 1948-02-14 |
| 5 | 37.06 ft | 1975-03-14 |
| 6 | 36.43 ft | 1974-01-11 |
| 7 | 34.85 ft | 1957-02-02 |
| 8 | 34.26 ft | 1963-03-13 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 18.00 ft
Water begins to inundate the Veto Boat Ramp at the Hargrove - Johnson bridge, and the Matt Gardner Elk River Access Area.
- 20.00 ft
Water has completely inundated the Veto Boat Ramp and the Matt Gardner Elk River Access Area. The boat ramps and parking areas are completely submerged at this level and unusable. Low lying and agricultural areas along the river begin to be inundated.
- 22.00 ft
Water continues to impact low lying and agricultural areas along the river across southeast Giles County.
- 24.00 ft
Water approaches Veto Rd near the Hargrove - Johnson bridge and may be impassable at higher levels.
- 26.00 ft
Flooding is impacting agricultural areas along the river across southeast Giles County. Water covers Veto Rd near the Hargrove - Johnson bridge south of Route 273. It may be unsafe to pass and motorists should seek an alternate route.
- 28.00 ft
Water approaches Old Hwy 31 near Ed McCormack Rd and may be impassable at higher levels.
- 30.00 ft
Extensive flooding of agricultural areas along the river is occurring, with flood waters reaching Old Hwy 31 near Ed McCormack Rd which is impassable. Water approaches Baugh Rd east of I-65, and Witt Rd between Beasley Branch Rd and River Bend Rd which may be impassable at higher levels.
- 32.00 ft
Extensive flooding continues across southeast Giles County, impacting area roads including Baugh Rd east of I-65, and Witt Rd between Beasley Branch Rd and River Bend Rd. Water approaches Bryson Rd Hwy 273 east of I-65, Pleasant Hill Rd at Bates Hollow Rd, Case Rd Hwy 273 and structures in Prospect, and Bethel Prospect Rd near Birdsong Ln. These roads may be impassable at higher levels.
- 34.00 ft
Significant flooding is occurring along the river, impacting Bryson Rd Hwy 273 east of I-65, Pleasant Hill Rd at Bates Hollow Rd, Case Rd Hwy 273 and structures in Prospect, and Bethel Prospect Rd near Birdsong Ln which are all impassable. Water approaches Elkton Pike - U.S. 31 south of Ed McCormack Rd Ardmore Ridge Rd, and Pleasant Hill Rd at Valley Ln and near Ragsdale Rd which may be impassable at higher levels.
- 36.00 ft
Significant flooding continues across southeast Giles County, impacting portions of Hwy 237 near Elkton and Prospect, portions of Pleasant Hill Rd at Bates Hollow Rd, Valley Ln, and Ragsdale Rd, and Elkton Pike U.S. 31 south of Ed McCormack Rd Ardmore Ridge Rd. Several structures in Prospect on Hwy 273 south of Prospect Rd are flooded.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Elk River flooding at Prospect?
No. The Elk River at Prospect is at 0.98 ft, 21.02 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Prospect?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 22 ft, minor flooding 25 ft, moderate flooding 37 ft and major flooding 40 ft.
What is the highest the Elk River has been at Prospect?
The highest crest on record is 40.9 ft, on 1902-03-01.
Is the Elk River high or low right now at Prospect?
At 0.98 ft it is higher than 39% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge PSPT1); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 03584600). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.