Cape Fear River at W.O. Huske Lock
North Carolina — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Bladen County, North Carolina on the Cape Fear River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 02105500, updated every 15 minutes.
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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Flood Stages
Major Flood
65 ft
Moderate Flood
55 ft
Minor Flood
42 ft
Action Stage
41 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
79.3 ft
Water will reach the elevation of the instrument shelter in the USGS well house. Extensive flooding can be expected along both banks of the river but will cover a greater area on the east side. Much of the area between Marsh Road and Tabor Church Road is flooded as is much of the area between Burney Road and NC 87. Hundreds of residences in these areas will be isolated or flooded.
76.5 ft
Water will reach the floor in the USGS well house. Extensive flooding will continue along both banks of the river.
75.5 ft
Flood of record due to Homestead Hurricane in 1945. Extensive flooding can be expected along both banks of the river but covers greater area on the east side. Much of area between Marsh Road and Tabor Church Road will be flooded as is much of the area between Burney Road and NC 87. Hundreds of residences in these areas will be isolated or flooded. At the gage site, flood waters will reach within eight inches of the floor of the lockmasters residence.
70 ft
Flooding similar to Hurricane Florence in 2018. Flooding affects areas along both side of Matt Hair Road and Dr. Cogdell Road and these roads may also be flooded. Hair Road may also be flooded. Flooding off River Road, Tar Heel Road, NC 87, and Burney Road also worsens. Dozens of residences in the area may be isolated and several homes at the lowest elevations may be flooded. For those not isolated, many normal travel routes may be flooded or closed including NC 53 near White Oak.
68 ft
Flooding similar to Hurricane Matthew in 2016. Flooding worsens off Matt Hair Road and Dr. Cogdell Road and these roads may also be flooded. Flooding off River Road, Tar Heel Road, NC 87, and Burney Road also worsens. Dozens of residences in the area may be isolated and the homes at the lowest elevations may be flooded. For those not isolated, many normal travel routes may be flooded or closed including NC 53 near White Oak.
65 ft
Flooding worsens off Matt Hair Road and Dr. Cogdell Road and some residences may be isolated or begin to be affected by the flood waters. A few additional residences along River Road and between NC 87 and the river may be isolated or begin to be affected by flooding. Flooding along Tar Heel Ferry road worsens. Water will approach the road in front of the lockmasters residence at the gage site.
62 ft
Flood waters begin to affect areas between the river and Matt Hair Road in Cumberland County and between the river and Dr. Cogdell Road in Bladen County. Flooding along Tar Heel Ferry Road worsens and additional residences are threatened by flood waters. River Road and Burney Road west and east of White Oak willy likely be impassable.
60 ft
Flooding will worsen in already affected buildings and deepen on River Road and Burney Road west and east of White Oak respectively. Flood waters may threaten residences along Tar Heel Ferry Road east of the river.
58 ft
Water may begin to get into a few buildings along the river and its tributaries. Flood waters may begin to affect portions of River Road west of White Oak and Burney Road east of White Oak.
55 ft
Extensive lowland flooding will occur along the river. A few buildings along the river and its tributaries upstream and downstream of the gage will be isolated by flood waters. The lower part of the USGS well house will be flooded.
52 ft
Extensive lowland flooding will occur along the river. A few buildings along the river and its tributaries may become isolated by flood waters. Water levels will reach the door sill of the USGS well house.
50 ft
Extensive lowland flooding will occur along the river. The wildlife boat ramp at Tar Heel Ferry Road will likely be inaccessible.
48 ft
The access road for the wildlife boat ramp at Tar Heel Ferry Road may be flooded.
47 ft
The access road for the wildlife boat ramp at Tar Heel Ferry Road may begin to flood. Lowland flooding along the river worsens along both sides of the river.
45 ft
Flood waters will affect lowlands along the east bank of the river with some minor overflow along the west bank.
42 ft
Water levels will top the navigational lock and equipment must be removed. Minor flooding will occur on land adjacent to the east bank of the river.
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 21, 1945 | 75.5 ft | — |
| Sep 21, 1945 | 75.5 ft | — |
| Sep 19, 2018 | 70.73 ft | 184,000 cfs |
| Sep 19, 2018 | 70.73 ft | 184,000 cfs |
| Oct 10, 2016 | 68.46 ft | -9,999 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
STPN7
River
Cape Fear River
County
Bladen, NC
Coordinates
34.8347°N, 78.8242°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 W.O. Huske Lock?
The Cape Fear River at W.O. Huske Lock gauge is maintained by USGS (site 02105500) 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 W.O. Huske Lock?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Cape Fear River at W.O. Huske Lock is 42 feet. Action stage begins at 41 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 55 feet, and major flooding at 65 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 W.O. Huske Lock 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 W.O. Huske Lock gauge located?
The gauge is located in Bladen County, North Carolina at coordinates 34.8347°N, 78.8242°W. USGS site number: 02105500. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey
- Please subtract 32.09 ft from the AHPS levels to match the reports from the USGS location number 02105500.
- 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.