Current Conditions

Alerts

 
 
AirNow Logo superimposed over a photograph of scattered pinkish clouds drifting over the river in the evening.
Air quality can be a big concern in the park during the hot summer days.

Air Quality

Learn the current Air Quality Index (AQI) at the park and the forecast for tomorrow from the AirNow website. The site gives details about the pollutants found and provides health warnings. Subscribe to EnviroFlash and after you choose the type and frequency of service you want, EnviroFlash will be sent to your email or cell phone as specified. Or get the free AIRNow iPhone or Android App so you can check at any time!

 
Just a sample of the garbage found floating in the river that makes visitors wonder about the quality of the water in the Chattahoochee.
Floating trash makes visitors wonder about the river's water quality.

NPS

Water Quality

The river has a reputation for less than healthy water quality. Although the water quality of the river has improved it still has its bad days. Take a quick look and you can understand why. When visitors see trash floating down the river and piling up behind a log jam they become concerned about the beauty lost. But when their nose catches some of the aromas along the river they really become concerned. Just what's in the water that can't seen? Visit the BacteriAlert website to find out how safe is it to swim, wade, and boat in the Chattahoochee River today.

 
A view of flood waters flowing over the spillways at Morgan Falls Dam. Gates for all spillways are open.
Morgan Falls Dam releasing water during the Fall Flood of 2009, one of the worst floods on record for the river.

USGS/Alan Cressler

Water Release Schedules

Water conditions on the Chattahoochee River are influenced on a daily basis by water releases from Buford Dam and Morgan Falls Dam. Check the Buford Dam water release schedule, or call 770-945-1466, or toll free 1-855-DAM-FLOW (1-855-326-3569). For the Morgan Falls Dam water release schedule visit Georgia Power's Chattahoochee Hydro Real-Time Operations website. Besides showing the time for scheduled releases it also shows how many turbines will be operating and the current flow in cubic feet per second (cfs).

 
Shooting the rapids with a good flow.
Shooting the shoals with just the right flow.

Tom Wilson

River Flow Rates

Before you jump in your boat or tube check the River Flow Rate and you'll learn what to expect. Here you will be able to get answers to the following questions. How fast, or slow, will the ride be to your take out point? Will I be hitting the rocks in the shoals? And most importantly how safe is it to be on the river today? If you're planning to be on the river today then check out the River Flow Rate!

 
River water floods entrance fee station and wooded picnic area.
The Chattahoochee River hit record levels during the autumn flood of 2009.

NPS

Flooding

The water level in the river can be influenced by not only water releases from the dams but also precipitation in the watershed. Current water levels at Buford Dam, Medlock Bridge, Roswell, Powers Island, and Paces Mill are available online from the National Weather Service. Water level forecasts for the Chattahoochee River at Medlock Bridge and Roswell are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available. Forecasts take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 48 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time. Besides the recent water levels the pages provide historical information and descriptions for different flood stages.

 

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Last updated: January 16, 2024

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

1978 Island Ford Parkway
Sandy Springs, GA 30350

Phone:

678-538-1200
Call 770-992-6585 for non-emergency law enforcement assistance for any event that does not pose a direct threat to the health and safety of visitors or employees. Examples of when to call 770-992-6585 are for property crime (car break-ins, vandalism), suspicious activity, or a threat to the park's resources (digging). Dial 911 when there is a direct threat to the health and safety of visitors or employees. Examples of when to dial 911 are for missing person, fire, physical altercation, or injury.

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