N Fork Catawba River at Highway 221
North Carolina — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in McDowell County, North Carolina on the N Fork 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: NFKN7). Live data may be limited. View on NWS AHPS →
Flood Stages
Major Flood
12 ft
Moderate Flood
10 ft
Minor Flood
9 ft
Action Stage
7.5 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
9.5 ft
Minor Flooding continues. The North Fork Catawba River is likely flooding the lowest elevations of the Mountain Paradise Campground with evacuations possible. North Cove School Rd inundation of up to 12" is likely, forcing closure. Flooding of Old Linville Rd is likely, forcing closure. Flooding of Linville Falls Golf Club is expanding. Impacts downstream of gauge site could be worse if heaviest rainfall/runoff occurs over the many tributaries that feed into the NF Catawba below the gauge.
9 ft
Minor Flood Stage. The North Fork Catawba River may begin flooding the lowest elevations of the Mountain Paradise Campground. Guests should already have moved to higher ground. North Cove School Rd inundation of up to 6" is likely, forcing closure. Low-lying areas between Old Linville Rd and the river are flooding, with Old Linville Rd flooding imminent. Impacts downstream of gauge site could be worse if heaviest rainfall/runoff occurs over the many tributaries that feed into the NF Catawba below the gauge.
8.5 ft
Action/Advisory Flooding continues. The North Fork Catawba River is likely beginning to flood North Cove School Rd, requiring closure. Flooding is beginning of low-lying areas between the river and Old Linville Rd, as well as areas of the Linville Falls Golf Club. Guests at the Mountain Paradise Campground should seek higher ground immediately. Impacts downstream of gauge site could be worse if heaviest rainfall/runoff occurs over the many tributaries that feed into the NF Catawba below the gauge.
8 ft
Action/Advisory Flooding continues. The North Fork Catawba River is beginning to exceed bankfull near Old Linville Rd and North Cove School Rd. Flooding of North Cove School Rd is imminent. Guests at the Mountain Paradise Campground should prepare to seek higher ground. Impacts downstream of gauge site could be worse if heaviest rainfall/runoff occurs over the many tributaries that feed into the NF Catawba below the gauge.
7.5 ft
Action/Advisory Stage. The North Fork Catawba River is approaching bankfull near Old Linville Rd and North Cove School Rd. Guests at the Mountain Paradise Campground should monitor conditions closely as the river can rise extremely quickly. Impacts downstream of gauge site could be worse if heaviest rainfall/runoff occurs over the many tributaries that feed into the NF Catawba below the gauge.
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 21, 2018 | 9.23 ft | — |
| Aug 21, 2018 | 9.23 ft | — |
| Oct 11, 2018 | 9.18 ft | — |
| Oct 11, 2018 | 9.18 ft | — |
| Aug 3, 2018 | 8.9 ft | — |
About This Gauge
NWS LID
NFKN7
River
N Fork Catawba River
County
McDowell, NC
Coordinates
35.8756°N, 81.9425°W
Get Flood Alerts for N Fork 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 N Fork Catawba River at Highway 221?
The N Fork Catawba River at Highway 221 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 N Fork Catawba River at Highway 221?
The NWS-defined flood stage for N Fork Catawba River at Highway 221 is 9 feet. Action stage begins at 7.5 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 10 feet, and major flooding at 12 feet.
How do I get alerts when N Fork Catawba River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add N Fork Catawba River at Highway 221 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 N Fork Catawba River at Highway 221 gauge located?
The gauge is located in McDowell County, North Carolina at coordinates 35.8756°N, 81.9425°W. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.