Catawba River at Lookout Shoals Lake and Dam
North Carolina — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Catawba County, North Carolina on the Catawba 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: LKSN7). Live data may be limited. View on NWS AHPS →
Flood Stages
Major Flood
106 ft
Moderate Flood
104 ft
Minor Flood
103 ft
Action Stage
102 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
108 ft
Major flooding continues. Devastating, widespread structural flooding within the Carpenters Cove community and along portions of Longfield St near Shadeview Ln is ongoing. Significant first-floor inundation is ongoing, exceeding 4 feet in several locations. Water rescues may be ongoing.
106 ft
Major Flood Stage. Devastating, widespread structural flooding in the Carpenters Cove community and near the intersection of Longfield St and Shadeview Ln is imminent. Significant inundation of crawl spaces and basements is underway. Unelevated, first-floor flooding is beginning. Evacuations should be complete, but water rescuses may be ongoing.
104 ft
Moderate Flood Stage. Lake floodwaters are approaching some homes in the Carpenters Cove community; electricity shutoff is imminent. Impacted residents, especially in the Carpenters Cove community, should be completing preparations to evacuate and heeding guidance from Catawba County Emergency Management.
103.5 ft
Minor Flooding continues. Electricity may need to be turned off shortly for a few homes in the Carpenters Cove community as water approaches electrical boxes near homes. Crawl space flooding at 4867 Longfield St is imminent.
103 ft
Minor Flood Stage. Significant inundation of low-lying areas including residential yards, docks, and boat-launch areas is ongoing around Lookout Shoals Lake. Lake floodwaters are approaching the crawl space of 4867 Longfield St. Residents along Longfield St and in the Carpenters Cove community should have completed the protection of property adjacent to the lake and be prepared to follow evacuation guidance from Catawba County Emergency Management.
102 ft
Action/Advisory Stage. Nuisance flooding of low-lying areas including residential yards, docks, and boat-launch areas is ongoing. Residents should take immediate actions to protect property adjacent to the lake and monitor messaging from Catawba County Emergency Management.
100 ft
Full Pool. Water begins flowing over the uncontrolled spillway of Lookout Shoals Dam.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 29, 1940 | 114.4 ft | — |
| Aug 29, 1940 | 114.4 ft | — |
| Sep 28, 2024 | 109.45 ft | 101,300 cfs |
| Sep 28, 2024 | 109.45 ft | 101,300 cfs |
| Nov 12, 2020 | 108.3 ft | — |
About This Gauge
NWS LID
LKSN7
River
Catawba River
County
Catawba, NC
Coordinates
35.7577°N, 81.0892°W
Get Flood Alerts for Catawba 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 Catawba River at Lookout Shoals Lake and Dam?
The Catawba River at Lookout Shoals Lake and Dam 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 Catawba River at Lookout Shoals Lake and Dam?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Catawba River at Lookout Shoals Lake and Dam is 103 feet. Action stage begins at 102 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 104 feet, and major flooding at 106 feet.
How do I get alerts when Catawba River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Catawba River at Lookout Shoals Lake and Dam 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 Catawba River at Lookout Shoals Lake and Dam gauge located?
The gauge is located in Catawba County, North Carolina at coordinates 35.7577°N, 81.0892°W. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
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Source & Notes
- Gauge reading affected by reservoir operations.