What does flood stage mean for the Cumberland River?

CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – When flooding occurs on the Cumberland River in Clarksville, the water sometimes nears flood stage, which can have major impacts for the local area.

The Nashville District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers explains what the different stages mean:

• At 53 feet, agricultural, industrial, and commercial properties along the river and its adjacent tributaries continue to be flooded. Portions of Riverside Drive are flooded between Cumberland Drive and Providence Boulevard and may be impassable, as well as locations near Quarry Road, Kraft Street at College Street and Providence Boulevard, Zinc Plant Road, Salem Road, and Seven Mile Ferry Road. Water also floods athletic fields near TN-48 and Greenland Farms Drive, and properties on Branch Road.

• At 50 feet, most agricultural areas along the river are flooded, as well as many industrial and commercial properties, Riverfront Park, and adjacent tributaries. Riverside Drive in Clarksville begins to flood near TN-48, Providence Boulevard, Mc Clure Street, and Cumberland Drive. Also impacted are locations near Quarry Road, Kraft Street near College Street and Providence Boulevard, Zinc Plant Road, Salem Road, and Seven Mile Ferry Road. Water approaches athletic fields near Greenland Farms Drive, and properties on Branch Road.

• At 48 feet, flooding continues to impact agricultural, industrial, and commercial properties, Riverfront Park, and adjacent tributaries including Bartons Creek, Red River, West Fork Red River, and Yellow Creek. Impacted locations include Riverside Drive near TN-48 and Providence Boulevard, Quarry Road, Kraft Street near College Street, Zinc Plant Road, and properties near Salem Road and Seven Mile Ferry Road. Water approaches properties near Kraft Street and Providence Boulevard, and begins to cover Riverside Drive at Mc Clure Street and near Cumberland Drive.

• At 46 feet, flood waters begin to impact areas along the river, including agricultural and commercial properties, Riverfront Park, and adjacent tributaries including Bartons Creek, Red River, West Fork Red River, and Yellow Creek. Affected locations include South Riverside Drive near TN-48, North Riverside Drive near Providence Boulevard East, Quarry Road, Kraft Street near College Street, and Zinc Plant Road. Water approaches properties near Salem Road and Seven Mile Ferry Road.

• At 45 feet, water approaches commercial and industrial properties on South Riverside Drive near TN-48, North Riverside Drive near Providence Boulevard East, Quarry Road, Kraft Street near College Street, and Zinc Plant Road. Water also continues to inundate agricultural areas and parks along the river, and adjacent tributaries including Bartons Creek, Red River, West Fork Red River, and Yellow Creek.

• AT 43 feet, water continues to inundate low lying areas along the river, including agricultural areas, access points, portions of Riverfront Park on North Riverside Drive, and low lying areas of industrial property on Zinc Plant Road. Water also backs up adjacent tributaries, including Bartons Creek, Red River, West Fork Red River, and Yellow Creek.

• At 40 feet, low lying areas along the river, including agricultural areas, access points, and portions of Riverfront Park on North Riverside Drive begin to be inundated. Water also backs up adjacent tributaries, including Bartons Creek, Red River, West Fork Red River, and Yellow Creek.