Cape Fear River at Elizabethtown
North Carolina — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Bladen County, North Carolina on the Cape Fear River. Live water level data from USGS, updated every 15 minutes.
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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This is an NWS forecast point (LID: ELZN7). Live data may be limited. View on NWS AHPS →
Flood Stages
Major Flood
42 ft
Moderate Flood
35 ft
Minor Flood
25 ft
Action Stage
20 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
47 ft
Considerable flooding will occur along the entire length of the river as well as near the city of Elizabethtown. U.S. 701 may be flooded north of the bridge over the river. Approximately 500 structures will be isolated or flooded on both sides of the river from the White Oak area down to Barney Coe Road including buildings along area creeks. Travel along the length of the river will be difficult or impossible due to high water and road closures.
43 ft
Considerable flooding like 1945 flood will occur along the entire length of the river as well as near the city of Elizabethtown. Water may isolate or get into a few residences along Turnbull Creek near U.S. 701. Overall, there will be several hundred residences that are isolated by flood waters on both sides of the river from the White Oak area down Barney Coe Road and many buildings will be flooded. Travel along the length of the river will be significantly hampered by high water and road closures.
42 ft
Airport Road near White’s Creek may become impassable within 24 hours. Portions of Highway 53 between U.S. 701 and White Oak will be closed. Water may approach a few residences along Turnbull Creek near U.S. 701. There will be hundreds of residences that are isolated by flood waters on both sides of the river from the White Oak area down to Barney Coe Road and many buildings may be flooded. Travel along the length of the river will be hampered by high water and road closures. Similar to Florence 2018.
40 ft
Flood waters may begin to affect Airport Road near White’s Creek within 24 hours. Portions of Highway 53 between U.S. 701 and White Oak may be closed. Overall, there may be hundreds of residences that are isolated by flood waters on both sides of the river from the White Oak area down Barney Coe Road. Many of the lowest buildings in this area may be flooded. Travel along the length of the river may be hampered by high water and road closures. Brown’s Creek Nature Park will be flooded.
38 ft
Portions of NC Highway 53 between U.S. 701 and White Oak may become impassable, possibly isolating many residences in the area. Overall, there may be hundreds of residences that are isolated by flood waters on both sides of the river from the White Oak area down to Barney Coe Road. Many of the lowest buildings in this area may be flooded. Travel along the length of the river may be hampered by high water and road closures.
36 ft
Flood waters may begin to affect portions of NC Highway 53 between U.S. 701 and White Oak. Owen Hill Road near Bakers Creek becomes impassable. Additional residences along Barney Coe Road may become isolated and the lowest may be flooded. Dozens of buildings may be isolated or flooded along the river both upstream and downstream of Elizabethtown but most of are in areas between Owen Hill Road and the river as well as NC Route 53 and the river west of U.S. route 701. Browns Creek Nature Park begins to flood.
35 ft
Flood waters may begin to affect Owen Hill Road near Bakers Creek. Dozens of buildings may be isolated or flooded along the river both upstream and downstream of Elizabethtown. However, most of are in areas between Owen Hill Road and the river as well as NC Route 53 and the river west of U.S. route 701.
33 ft
Flood waters may get near residences areas along Ellis Creek closer to NC Route 53. Flooding may get near additional residences along Barney Coe Road. Elsewhere along the river, flooding worsens both upstream and downstream of Elizabethtown. Dozens of buildings in the area may be isolated and some may experience flooding.
32 ft
Flood waters may isolate a few residences off Beagle Run Lane and flooding may occur along Rob Smith Lane. A couple of buildings nearer the river off Barney Coe Road may become isolated by flood waters. Elsewhere along the river, flooding worsens both upstream and downstream of Elizabethtown.
30 ft
Flood waters may isolate residences off Larrimore Lane and Riverview Drive as Larrimore Lane becomes impassable. Dozens of buildings nearer the river may become isolated within several miles of Elizabethtown. Flooding may also affect Beagle Run Lane. Flooding of farm fields near the river worsens as does lowland flooding.
28 ft
Flooding of farmers fields adjacent to the river will worsen. Larrimore Lane may begin to flood.
27 ft
Floodwaters will affect farmers' fields adjacent to the river requiring the movement of farm equipment to higher ground. The lower part of Cape Owen Manor Road may become impassable.
25 ft
Flood waters will reach the top of the navigational lock. The river will spread farther into lowlands, affecting building access roads closer to the river. A few buildings closer to the river may be cutoff by the flood waters. The lower part of Cape Owen Manor Road may begin to flood.
24 ft
The river will continue to spread farther into lowlands along the river and may begin to affect building access roads closer to the river.
23 ft
The river will spread further into lowlands along the river.
20 ft
The river will spread into lowlands along the river and will begin to flood lowlands in Tory Hole Park.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
7-Day Water Level Chart
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Historic Crests
| Date | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 22, 1945 | 43.2 ft | — |
| Sep 22, 1945 | 43.2 ft | — |
| Sep 20, 2018 | 42.51 ft | 202,223 cfs |
| Sep 20, 2018 | 42.51 ft | 202,223 cfs |
| Sep 22, 1928 | 39.1 ft | — |
About This Gauge
NWS LID
ELZN7
River
Cape Fear River
County
Bladen, NC
Coordinates
34.6267°N, 78.5783°W
Get Flood Alerts for Cape Fear River
StormCast monitors this gauge and sends a push notification to your phone when the water level crosses into a new flood category — even at 3 AM.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current water level of Cape Fear River at Elizabethtown?
The Cape Fear River at Elizabethtown gauge is maintained by USGS and reports water levels every 15 minutes. Visit this page to see the latest reading updated live, or download StormCast to get push alerts when levels rise.
What is flood stage for Cape Fear River at Elizabethtown?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Cape Fear River at Elizabethtown is 25 feet. Action stage begins at 20 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 35 feet, and major flooding at 42 feet.
How do I get alerts when Cape Fear River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Cape Fear River at Elizabethtown to your watchlist. StormCast will send a push notification to your phone whenever the water level crosses into a new NWS flood category — even when your screen is off.
Where is the Cape Fear River at Elizabethtown gauge located?
The gauge is located in Bladen County, North Carolina at coordinates 34.6267°N, 78.5783°W. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
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Source & Notes
- River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 48 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.