USGS Water-Year Summary 2024
03486000 WATAUGA RIVER AT ELIZABETHTON, TENNESSEE
LOCATION - Lat 36°21'20.92", long 82°13'25.29" referenced to North American Datum of 1927, Carter County, TN, Hydrologic Unit 06010103, at bridge on State Hwy 19E Scn at Elizabethton, 0.2 mile south of intersection of State Hwy 19E Scn and Watauga Rd. at the town of Elizabethton, Tn. Site is 10 miles below the dam at Watauga Lake, 0.6 mile downstream from Doe River, and at mile 25.9.
DRAINAGE AREA - 692 mi².
SURFACE-WATER RECORDS
PERIOD OF RECORD - December 30, 2016 to current period.
GAGE - Data Collection Platform (DCP). Datum of gage is 1485.748 NAVD88.
EXTREMES OUTSIDE PERIOD OF RECORD - 1925-1949, 1953-1960: Maximum discharge, 75,100 ft³/s, August 14, 1940 (gage height 20.87 ft), from rating curve extended above 29,000 ft³/s on basis of contracted-opening measurement of peak flow; minimum, 42 ft³/s September 20, 1932; minimum daily 85 ft³/s December 3, 1953; minimum gage height, 1.54 ft September 20, 1932. Maximum stage known, about 21.0 ft on May 21, 1901 (discharge, 75,900 ft³/s), from high-water profile by the Tennessee Valley Authority.
EXTREMES FOR PERIOD OF RECORD - Maximum stage 9.78 ft., April 13, 2020; maximum discharge 11,600 ft³/s. April 13, 2020. Minimum discharge 335 ft³/s, October 6, 2017.