Oconaluftee River at Bryson Dam (Lake Ela) Water Level

Current Water Level

Gage Height

Streamflow

Last Reading

This is an NWS forecast point (LID: BRYN7). 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.

Action Stage

101 ft

Low-Water Impacts

5 ft

Stage needed to inundate designated Gulf Sturgeon critical habitat below Jim Woodruff Lock and Dam.

3 ft

Temporary (not sustainable) operating level for of Scholz Power Plant

What happens as water levels drop, per the National Weather Service.

7-Day Water Level Chart

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About This Gauge

NWS LID

BRYN7

River

Oconaluftee River

County

Swain, NC

Coordinates

35.4458°N, 83.3744°W

Get Flood Alerts for Oconaluftee 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 Oconaluftee River at Bryson Dam (Lake Ela)?

The Oconaluftee River at Bryson Dam (Lake Ela) 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 Oconaluftee River at Bryson Dam (Lake Ela)?

This gauge has NWS-defined flood categories. Check the flood stages section above for current thresholds.

How do I get alerts when Oconaluftee River rises?

Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Oconaluftee River at Bryson Dam (Lake Ela) 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 Oconaluftee River at Bryson Dam (Lake Ela) gauge located?

The gauge is located in Swain County, North Carolina at coordinates 35.4458°N, 83.3744°W. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.

More Gauges on Oconaluftee River

Oconaluftee River below Contesky Dr, in Birdtown

On This River

Upstream: Oconaluftee River below Contesky Dr, in Birdtown Downstream: Tuckasegee River below Everett St, in Bryson City

More Resources

North Carolina River Gauges River Level App Flood Alerts Understanding River Flood Levels Flash Flood Warnings Tornado Alerts

Source & Notes

Data provided by: Observations courtesy of Northbrook Power Management

Oconaluftee River at Bryson Dam (Lake Ela) Water Level & Flood Stage.