Major Flood
18 ft
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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FLOOD STAGES
Know the flood categories.
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
Moderate Flood
16 ft
Minor Flood
11 ft
Action Stage
9 ft
What Floods at Each Level
17.55 ft
FLOODING WILL BE SIMILAR TO THE FLOODING THAT OCCURRED WITH HURRICANE FRANCES IN SEPTEMBER 2004.
15.22 ft
FLOODING WILL BE SIMILAR TO WHAT HAPPENED IN AUGUST 1994 WITH TROPICAL STORM BERYL
14.5 ft
CATAWBA RIVER STARTS TO CAUSE PROBLEMS IN TOWNS NEAR THE RIVER WITH FLOODING OF LOW LYING AREAS ALONG THE RIVER AND SOME ROADS.
13.64 ft
FLOODING WILL BE SIMILAR TO THAT WHICH OCCURRED WITH HURRICANE IVAN IN SEPTEMBER 2004
12 ft
PLEASANT GARDENS AND DEER FIELD CAMPGROUNDS WILL LIKELY HAVE TO BE EVACUATED.
11 ft
Minor Flood Stage. The Catawba River may be starting to flood the Riverbreeze Campground located a few miles downstream of the gauge, especially if high flows are occurring along Buck Creek due to spillage at Lake Tahoma upstream.
9 ft
Action Stage. The Catawba River is beginning to exceed its banks close to the Tom Johnson-Camping World Camping Center and flood adjacent low-lying areas. Floodwaters are approaching and may begin to flood the access road that travels underneath the Resistoflex Rd. bridge at the Camping Center and may begin to impact Riverside 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 8, 2004 | 17.55 ft | 23,000 cfs |
| May 30, 2018 | 15.72 ft | 16,900 cfs |
| Aug 16, 1994 | 15.22 ft | 13,700 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
PLGN7
River
Catawba River
County
McDowell, NC
Coordinates
35.6858°N, 82.0603°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 near Pleasant Gardens?
The Catawba River near Pleasant Gardens gauge is maintained by USGS (site 02137727) 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 near Pleasant Gardens?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Catawba River near Pleasant Gardens is 11 feet. Action stage begins at 9 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 16 feet, and major flooding at 18 feet.
How do I get alerts when Catawba River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Catawba River near Pleasant Gardens 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 near Pleasant Gardens gauge located?
The gauge is located in McDowell County, North Carolina at coordinates 35.6858°N, 82.0603°W. USGS site number: 02137727. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Gauges on Catawba River
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Catawba River at Lake Norman/Cowans Ford Dam
Catawba River at Lookout Shoals Lake and Dam
Catawba River at Mountain Island Lake and Dam
Catawba River at Lake Hickory/Oxford Dam
Catawba River at Lake Rhodhiss Dam
On This River
Downstream: Catawba River at Lake James/Linville Dam
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey