The phrase "at spate" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where a river or stream is in a state of flood or high water, often due to heavy rainfall or melting snow.
Example: "The river was at spate after the recent storms, causing concern for the nearby residents."
Alternatives: "in flood" or "at flood stage".
VISITORS to the International Contemporary Furniture Fair, which arrives at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center next month, will also be able to shop at a spate of new furniture stores, some of which will be represented at the fair.
Earlier this year the Tokyo District Court rejected a crude poison pill proposed by Nireco, an instrument-maker.The role of shareholders has been boosted too: at the spate of annual meetings on June 29th shareholders rejected poison-pill proposals at several big firms, including Tokyo Electron, Fanuc and Yokogawa Electric.
Hart expresses surprise at the spate of news stories when they had to switch production bases in the summer.
At a spate of campaign events last week, for example, sparks flew over Mr. Fenty's schools chancellor, Michelle Rhee.
One of many fine lines in Dwight Garner's look at a spate of books about hunters eager to meditate on the meaning of it all.
In interviews around the country, many people expressed revulsion at the spate of attacks on Muslims, as well as on Hindus and Sikhs, and the vandalism at mosques.
You can't escape: those early feelings run at full spate for your entire lifetime, even if you can't bear to think of them.
Their fury at the spate of food scandals prompted politicians to pass a bill in June, unusually quickly, introducing prison terms and stiff fines for companies that falsely label food.
This week, the critic Mike Hale took a look at a spate of major cast changes in prime time and came up with a report card on how the shows — "Two and a Half Men," "CSI," "The Office," "Law & Order: SVU" and "House" — are handling the new characters.
