Major Flood
110 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
105 ft
Minor Flood
102 ft
Action Stage
99.5 ft
What Floods at Each Level
2400 ft
A DISCHARGE OF 2400 CFS WILL LIKELY CAUSE FLOODING PROBLEMS DOWNSTREAM OF THE DAM.
720 ft
720 CFS OR HIGHER MAY CAUSE PROBLEMS DOWN STREAM. THE SECTION OF NANTAHALA DAM ROAD THAT FORDS THE RIVER WILL BE CLOSED.
110 ft
MAJOR FLOODING BEGINS. HOMES AND BRIDGES DOWNSTREAM OF THE DAM MAY BE AFFECTED. DANGEROUS FOR WHITEATER RAFTING AND OTHER WATER ENTHUSIASTS.
105 ft
MODERATE FLOODING ALONG SHORELINE AND DOWNSTREAM OF THE DAM. WHITEWATER RAFTING OPERATIONS DEFINITELY IMPACTED.
102 ft
MINOR FLOODING OF DOCKS, WITH POSSIBLE ADVERSE IMPACT ON CANOERS AND WHITEWATER RAFTING OPERATIONS, BEGINS.
100 ft
FULL POOL.
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, 2004 | 98.73 ft | — |
| Mar 11, 2011 | 94.91 ft | — |
About This Gauge
Get Flood Alerts for Nantahala 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 Nantahala River at Nantahala Dam?
The Nantahala River at Nantahala Dam gauge is maintained by USGS (site 03504500) 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 Nantahala River at Nantahala Dam?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Nantahala River at Nantahala Dam is 102 feet. Action stage begins at 99.5 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 105 feet, and major flooding at 110 feet.
How do I get alerts when Nantahala River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Nantahala River at Nantahala 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 Nantahala River at Nantahala Dam gauge located?
The gauge is located in Macon County, North Carolina at coordinates 35.1997°N, 83.6531°W. USGS site number: 03504500. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey
- Gauge reading affected by reservoir operations.