Oconaluftee River at Bryson Dam (Lake Ela)
North Carolina — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Swain County, North Carolina on the Oconaluftee 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: BRYN7). Live data may be limited. View on NWS AHPS →
Flood Stages
Action Stage
101 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
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 — even when your screen is off.
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.
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: Observations courtesy of Northbrook Power Management