Nantahala River near Rainbow Springs, NC
Is Nantahala River near Rainbow Springs, NC flooding right now?
Nantahala River near Rainbow Springs, NC measured 1.71 ft on 2026-09-22 20:30:00 UTC. That observation was 8.3 ft below its 10 ft flood stage. This is the latest available reading, not a guarantee of current conditions.
Gauge height
1.71 ft
Streamflow
295 cfs
Minor flooding here begins at 10 ft, with major flooding at 16 ft. The highest crest on record was 9.7 ft on Thu, Jun 16, 1949.
Streamflow outlook
Flood stages at this gauge
| Category | Stage | Current distance |
|---|---|---|
| Action | 4 ft | 2.3 ft below |
| Minor flood | 10 ft | 8.3 ft below |
| Moderate flood | 14 ft | 12.3 ft below |
| Major flood | 16 ft | 14.3 ft below |
Highest crests on record
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| 9.7 ft | 1949-06-16 |
| 8.53 ft | 1976-05-15 |
| 8.46 ft | 1964-10-04 |
| 8.35 ft | 2015-12-24 |
| 8.29 ft | 2004-09-17 |
Nearby gauges
| Gauge | Distance | County |
|---|---|---|
| Cartoogechaye Creek at Sr 1148 near Franklin, NC | 11.2 mi | Macon County |
| Nantahala River near Hewitt, NC | 12.4 mi | Swain County |
| Cartoogechaye Creek near Franklin, NC | 12.8 mi | Macon County |
| Little Tennessee River near Prentiss, NC | 13.6 mi | Macon County |
| Little Tennessee River at Franklin, NC | 14.5 mi | Macon County |
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Provisional data: Real-time readings are provisional and subject to revision by the USGS — sensors can be affected by ice, debris, or equipment malfunction. Do not rely on this site for decisions involving personal safety; follow official guidance from the National Weather Service and local authorities.