Georgia
Chattahoochee River at Buford Dam near Buford
Current River Rating
Fair · 54
Conditions are mixed. Review the details below before heading out.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Partial water evidence · Medium confidence
Should I Go?
Consider
Recommended Window
Saturday, 7:00 AM–10:00 AM
Why
- Air temperature is comfortable for a river trout trip.
- Light wind should make casting and boat control easier.
- Very clear skies may make trout more cautious in shallow water.
Favorable Factors
- Recent precipitation has been light.
Timing Evidence
Window confidence: High
Current Readings
- Flow
- 606 CFS
- Gage Height
- -0.57 ft
- Water Temperature
- 49.6 °F
- Observation Time
- Sep 5, 2026, 8:00 AM
Updated recently · USGS station 02334430 · Direct monitoring location
Readings from past 7 Days
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Historical readings are provided for context. Readings outside the current freshness window are not used to rate current conditions.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Preliminary guidance only. Always assess current weather, access, water depth, current speed, and your own ability before entering the river.
Changing Conditions Advisory
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Weather Near Gauge
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
75°F
Feels like
83°F
Wind
2 mph N
Wind gust
2 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Sep 5, 2026, 3:45 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this gauge
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this river.
Next 24 Hours
Sat 5 AM
Clear
Temp 74°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Sat 9 AM
Clear
Temp 80°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sat 1 PM
Clear
Temp 95°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Sat 5 PM
Clear
Temp 98°F
Chance 2%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Sat 9 PM
Mostly clear
Temp 88°F
Chance 12%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Sun 1 AM
Clear
Temp 80°F
Chance 3%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 10 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Sat, Sep 5
Overcast
High 99°F / Low 73°F
Chance 23%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 11 mph
Sun, Sep 6
Showers
High 97°F / Low 74°F
Chance 35%
Precip 0.06 in
Max gust 20 mph
Mon, Sep 7
Overcast
High 82°F / Low 71°F
Chance 35%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 27 mph
Tue, Sep 8
Overcast
High 89°F / Low 66°F
Chance 5%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 22 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this river's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence river flow, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, upstream reservoirs, and dam releases.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Historical Flow
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Fishing Overview
Chattahoochee River at Buford Dam near Buford, Georgia. Monitoring-Backed from USGS (live 00010, 00060, 00065).
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Chattahoochee River.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
Buford Dam is Georgia's flagship Chattahoochee trout tailwater at the head of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. StrikeTracks publishes Monitoring-Backed conditions from USGS 02334430 (live discharge, stage, and water temperature). Distinct from Helen 02330450, Norcross 02335000, Atlanta 02336000, deferred Lake Lanier, and Florida Apalachicola 02358000. Flow Context remains default-deny. Hatch Match publishes general fly suggestions only.
Target species
Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
GADNR Buford Dam rainbow trout. USGS 02334430. Distinct from Helen and Atlanta.
Source: Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division
Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
GADNR Buford Dam brown trout, including holdovers.
Source: Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Tailwater
Hypolimnetic Buford Dam tailwater in Gwinnett County, the coldest CRNRA trout water, distinct from Helen headwaters and from Atlanta.
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
Common techniques
- Dry flies
- Fly fishing
- Nymphing
- Spinning
- Streamers
Access and Public Fishing Rights
Public fishing is documented by GADNR and National Park Service CRNRA access below Buford Dam. Catalog coordinates are USGS 02334430.
Stocking information
GADNR stocks the Chattahoochee tailwater. Confirm current official notices. Stocking is fishery context, not a condition rating.
- Stocked
Rainbow Trout
Stocked · Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division
- Stocked
Brown Trout
Stocked · Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Resources Division
Official sources
GADNR and CRNRA trout-tailwater rules change. Distinct from Norcross 02335000 and Atlanta 02336000. Confirm current GADNR and NPS regulations.
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Parachute-style dryGeneral attractor dry family — not a claim that a named mayfly is hatching.
- Pheasant-tail-style nymphGeneral nymph family for trout rivers without destination hatch timing.
- Elk-hair-style dryGeneral dry/attractor family. Pattern choice only — not a report that caddis are hatching.
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerGeneral streamer family. Not a forage or insect Hatch event.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
USGS monitoring location
Gwinnett, Georgia
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
River Details
County
Gwinnett
Management Category
Inland trout tailwater
Regulation Scope
Chattahoochee River at Buford Dam near Buford
Regulation Summary
Chattahoochee at Buford Dam: GADNR inland trout-tailwater and CRNRA rules. Confirm current official regulations.
Target Species
rainbow-trout, brown-trout
Access, Parking, and Regulations
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