Is the Catawba River flooding?

North Carolina · 7 gauges · North Carolina river levels

The Catawba River is tracked by 7 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 Catawba River is running normal, rising toward flood stage, or already flooding. 1 of 7 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 1 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 Catawba River near Pleasant Gardens, NC. The highest level ever recorded there was 21.82 ft on 27 September 2024, carrying 42,400 cfs. Peak records there go back to 1981 (45 annual peaks). It is currently at 1.35 ft, 20.5 ft below that record.

Drains 126 sq mi · gauge elevation 1,234 ft · source: USGS peak-flow record

GaugeStatusStageFlood stageUpdated
Catawba River near Pleasant Gardens, NCNo flooding1.35 ft11 ft
Catawba River at Sr1223 below Lake James near Bridgewater, NCNo current data
Catawba River at Calvin, NCNo current data
Catawba River at Rhodhiss, NCNo current data
Catawba River at Nc Highway 16 near Millersville, NCNo current data
Catawba River below Lookout Shoals Dam near Sharon, NCNo current data
Catawba River at Rr Bridge above Nc 73 at Cowans Ford, 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.