Is the Cape Fear River flooding?

North Carolina · 5 gauges · North Carolina river levels

The Cape Fear River is tracked by 5 USGS streamgauges in North Carolina. This page compares each gauge’s live water level against its official National Weather Service flood stage, refreshed every 15 minutes, so you can tell whether the Cape Fear River is running normal, rising toward flood stage, or already flooding. 4 of 5 gauges have both a usable water-level reading and a published minor flood stage. Gauges without a published flood stage show water level and flow only. For nearby rivers, see all North Carolina river levels.

data refreshed 3 min ago

Readings may be delayed; check each observation time below. This gauge summary does not rule out flooding on unmonitored stretches or nearby streets.

River facts

The longest-running gauge on this river is Cape Fear River at Fayetteville, NC. The highest level ever recorded there was 68.80 ft on 20 September 1945, carrying 122,000 cfs. Peak records there go back to 1889 (105 annual peaks). It is currently at 9.79 ft, 59.0 ft below that record.

Drains 4,395 sq mi · gauge elevation 20 ft · source: USGS peak-flow record

GaugeStatusStageFlood stageUpdated
Cape Fear River at Lillington, NCNo flooding2.49 ft14 ft
Cape Fear River at Fayetteville, NCNo flooding9.79 ft35 ft
Cape Fear River at Wilm O Huske Lock near Tarheel, NCNo flooding1.33 ft42 ft
Cape Fear River at Lock 1 near Kelly, NCNo flooding14.90 ft24 ft
Cape Fear River at Lock 2 near Elizabethtown, NCNo current data
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.