Cumberland River — Celina (Dale Hollow/Obey Tailwater): River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?
Verdict · updated Aug 27, 6:30 PM UTC
No runnable range yet
We don’t have a runnable range for this section yet — many of these are calm or dam-controlled reaches. Here’s the current gauge reading; check it (and, for tailwaters, the dam’s generation schedule) before you go.
Estimated range
15.8 ft
USGS gauge 03417500
Paddling Celina (Dale Hollow/Obey Tailwater)
Cumberland River at Celina (Dale Hollow/Obey Tailwater) is a Flatwater float in Tennessee — no rapids under normal flows, just moving water and the odd riffle. Most paddlers put in at Celina river access (near Obey confluence) and take out at Downstream Cumberland River access.
We track USGS gauge 03417500 for this reach, but there isn't a published runnable range for it yet, so we won't invent a firm number. Use the live reading and 7-day trend above to see whether the Cumberland River is rising or falling, and check with a local outfitter or paddling club before you commit to a launch.
Flows here are usually most dependable March–November. Spring can run high after rain or snowmelt, and late summer often drops too low to float well — but the gauge always beats the calendar, so check today's reading before you go.
7-day flow trend
Section facts
- Difficulty
- Flatwater
- Length
- —
- Float time
- —
- Best months
- March–November
- Put-in
- Celina river access (near Obey confluence)
- Take-out
- Downstream Cumberland River access
Reading USGS gauge 03417500 — CUMBERLAND RIVER AT CELINA, TN ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)
FAQ
- What water level is good for paddling Cumberland River — Celina (Dale Hollow/Obey Tailwater)?
- We don't yet have a published runnable range for this section, so we can't give a firm number. Check the live USGS gauge and ask a local outfitter before you go.
- How do I check Cumberland River levels?
- We read USGS gauge 03417500 — the same public data USGS publishes — about every 30 minutes and compare it to the runnable range for this reach. You can also view the raw gauge yourself at waterdata.usgs.gov.
- Is Cumberland River — Celina (Dale Hollow/Obey Tailwater) good for beginners?
- This is a flatwater section — no rapids under normal levels — so it's beginner-friendly when the gauge is in range. High water changes everything: cold, fast water is dangerous for anyone.
- When is the best time to paddle Cumberland River here?
- Typically March–November, when flows are most reliable for this section. Spring can run high after rain or snowmelt; late summer can drop too low. Always check today's gauge reading rather than assuming.