River stage
Penfield, Oconee River
- River level
- 4.43 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- +1.78 ft
- Recent high
- 8.47 ft
- Recent low
- 2.48 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS PNFG1
- 30-day change
- +1.27 ft
- Average
- 3.46 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 26.90 ft
In brief
The Oconee River at Penfield, GA read 4.43 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 6.57 ft below action stage. That is 1.27 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge PNFG1
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26.90 ft | 1929-03-06 |
| 2 | 26.90 ft | 1919-12-19 |
| 3 | 26.70 ft | 1936-04-09 |
| 4 | 25.92 ft | 1989-10-01 |
| 5 | 22.59 ft | 1998-02-05 |
| 6 | 22.30 ft | 1990-03-17 |
| 7 | 22.11 ft | 1976-03-16 |
| 8 | 22.00 ft | 1977-11-08 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 11.00 ft
Bankfull conditions occur upstream and downstream from the gage on the Georgia Highway 15 bridge. Some low lying areas on the right bank just begin to overflow.
- 13.00 ft
Flood Stage is reached. Minor flooding occurs along the river upstream and downstream from the gage on the Georgia Highway 15 bridge. The right bank begins to overflow into agricultural land and pastures with a foot or two of water.
- 15.00 ft
Minor flooding continues to expand into fields...woodlands and pastures...mainly on the right bank of the river...upstream and downstream from the gage on the Georgia Highway 15 bridge.
- 17.00 ft
Minor flooding continues to expand into fields...woodlands and pastures near the river. The water level is very close to Ward Road on the right bank. Flood waters will be approaching irrigation systems and they may need to be moved to higher ground.
- 18.00 ft
Moderate flooding begins. Ward Road floods and cuts off access to L.C. Curtis and Son Sand and Gravel Company. Irrigation systems also begin to flood and need to be moved to higher ground.
- 22.00 ft
Moderate flooding expands. Several farm access roads begin to flood.
- 27.00 ft
Major flooding begins. L.C. Curtis and Son Company offices flood.
- 40.00 ft
Widespread major flooding occurs. Several buildings are flooded out and Highway 15 bridge floods.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Oconee River flooding at Penfield?
No. The Oconee River at Penfield is at 4.43 ft, 6.57 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Penfield?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 11 ft, minor flooding 13 ft, moderate flooding 18 ft and major flooding 27 ft.
What is the highest the Oconee River has been at Penfield?
The highest crest on record is 26.9 ft, on 1929-03-06.
Is the Oconee River high or low right now at Penfield?
At 4.43 ft it is higher than 88% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge PNFG1); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 02218300). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.