Major Flood
105.5 ft
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: MOUN7). Live data may be limited. View on NWS AHPS →
FLOOD STAGES
Know the flood categories.
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
Moderate Flood
104 ft
Minor Flood
103 ft
Action Stage
101.5 ft
What Floods at Each Level
106.5 ft
Major Flooding continues. Devastating, widespread structural flooding along Lake Dr, Riverside Dr, & Riverhaven Dr below the dam is ongoing. First-floor inundation of some unelevated homes is exceeding 4 feet with some homes experiencing 5-7 feet of inundation. Riverside Dr and Riverhaven Dr are submerged by 2-5 feet of floodwaters. Water rescues may be ongoing.
105.5 ft
Major Flood Stage. Devastating, widespread structural flooding along Lake Dr, Riverside Dr, & Riverhaven Dr below the dam is beginning. Significant inundation of crawl spaces, basements, & garages is ongoing. Unelevated, first-floor flooding is beginning. Evacuations should be complete, but water rescues may be ongoing. Backwater effects along tributary is causing first-floor inundation of some homes along Beagle Club Rd. Lake waters may be beginning to enter a crawl space at 6210 Glenn Teague Rd.
104.5 ft
Moderate Flooding continues. A dangerous situation is developing downstream if the lake continues to rise. Significant outbuilding inundation is worsening, with water approaching homes. Catawba River floodwaters are beginning to inundate Riverside Dr near Lake Dr and are approaching Riverhaven Dr. approximately 1500 ft from Hart Rd intersection. Preparations to evacuate downstream of the dam should be complete; residents are strongly encouraged to heed guidance from Char-Meck Emergency Management.
104 ft
Moderate Flood Stage. Significant inundation of outbuildings is beginning around Mountain Island Lake and downstream of the dam along/near Riverside Dr. Residents downstream of the dam should be completing preparations to evacuate and heeding guidance from Char-Meck Emergency Management.
103 ft
Minor Flood Stage. Significant inundation of low-lying areas is ongoing around Mountain Island Lake and downstream of the dam along/near Riverside Dr. Some outbuilding inundation may begin. Residents should have already completed the protection of property adjacent to the lake and the Catawba River downstream and be taking action to protect property their homes. Residents downstream of the dam should be prepared to evacuate and follow messaging from Char-Meck Emergency Management.
101.5 ft
Action/Advisory Stage. Nuisance flooding of low-lying areas including residential yards, docks, and boat-launch areas is ongoing. Flooding of residential yards downstream of Mountain Island Dam along Riverhaven Dr, Hart Rd, Lake Dr, and Riverside Dr is beginning. Residents should take immediate actions to protect property adjacent to the lake and the Catawba River and monitor messaging from Char-Meck Emergency Management.
100 ft
Full pool. Water begins flowing over the uncontrolled spillway of Mountain Island 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 | 109.6 ft | — |
| Sep 28, 2024 | 107.88 ft | 89,500 cfs |
| Jun 10, 2019 | 106.91 ft | — |
About This Gauge
NWS LID
MOUN7
River
Catawba River
County
Gaston, NC
Coordinates
35.3338°N, 80.9868°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 Mountain Island Lake and Dam?
The Catawba River at Mountain Island 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 Mountain Island Lake and Dam?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Catawba River at Mountain Island Lake and Dam is 103 feet. Action stage begins at 101.5 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 104 feet, and major flooding at 105.5 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 Mountain Island 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.
Where is the Catawba River at Mountain Island Lake and Dam gauge located?
The gauge is located in Gaston County, North Carolina at coordinates 35.3338°N, 80.9868°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.