South Fork Catawba River near Laboratory
North Carolina — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Lincoln County, North Carolina on the South Fork Catawba River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 02143500, updated every 15 minutes.
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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Flood Stages
Major Flood
30 ft
Moderate Flood
18 ft
Minor Flood
10 ft
Action Stage
8 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
24 ft
A FEW HOMES AND A WATER TANK SOUTH OF LABORATORY WILL BEGIN TO FLOOD.
18 ft
ONE HOUSE NEAR THE RIVER ON LABORATORY ROAD WILL BEGIN TO FLOOD.
10 ft
BRIDGE ON LABORATORY ROAD WILL BE OVERTOPPED AND ANDY LOGAN AND RIVER ROAD WILL BE CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING. STAGE AT LOWN7 WAS 14 FT.
8 ft
LABATORY ROAD WILL LIKELY BEGIN TO FLOOD ESPECAILLY IF SOUTH FORK RIVER IS AT HIGH LEVELS.
2 ft
GENERAL RAIN OF 2 TO 2.5 INCHES IN 2 TO 3 HOURS WILL CAUSE INDIAN CREEK TO RISE 3 FEET. INDIAN CREEK FLOWS INTO SOUTH FORK CATAWBA RIVER ABOVE LOWN7.
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 30, 1929 | 11.7 ft | 9,920 cfs |
| Sep 30, 1929 | 11.7 ft | 9,920 cfs |
| Aug 9, 1970 | 10.61 ft | 8,450 cfs |
| Aug 9, 1970 | 10.61 ft | 8,450 cfs |
| Oct 15, 1964 | 9.1 ft | 5,430 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
LABN7
River
South Fork Catawba River
County
Lincoln, NC
Coordinates
35.4206°N, 81.2653°W
Get Flood Alerts for South 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 South Fork Catawba River near Laboratory?
The South Fork Catawba River near Laboratory gauge is maintained by USGS (site 02143500) 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 South Fork Catawba River near Laboratory?
The NWS-defined flood stage for South Fork Catawba River near Laboratory is 10 feet. Action stage begins at 8 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 18 feet, and major flooding at 30 feet.
How do I get alerts when South Fork Catawba River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add South Fork Catawba River near Laboratory 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 South Fork Catawba River near Laboratory gauge located?
The gauge is located in Lincoln County, North Carolina at coordinates 35.4206°N, 81.2653°W. USGS site number: 02143500. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey