Major Flood
20 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
16 ft
Minor Flood
6 ft
Action Stage
5 ft
What Floods at Each Level
16 ft
Several buildings in the Valle Crucis area are affected by flood waters.
14 ft
Significant lowland flooding through the Valle Crucis area.
6 ft
Flooding on portions of Watauga River road begins.
5 ft
Several low water bridges begin to flood including Dewitt Barnett road 5.5 miles upstream and Hubert Thomas road 1.8 miles downstream from gage.
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 12, 1940 | 29.6 ft | 50,800 cfs |
| Sep 27, 2024 | 29.57 ft | 51,500 cfs |
| Jul 14, 1916 | 22.1 ft | 28,000 cfs |
About This Gauge
Get Flood Alerts for Watauga 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 Watauga River near Sugar Grove?
The Watauga River near Sugar Grove gauge is maintained by USGS (site 03479000) 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 Watauga River near Sugar Grove?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Watauga River near Sugar Grove is 6 feet. Action stage begins at 5 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 16 feet, and major flooding at 20 feet.
How do I get alerts when Watauga River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Watauga River near Sugar Grove 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 Watauga River near Sugar Grove gauge located?
The gauge is located in Watauga County, North Carolina at coordinates 36.2390°N, 81.8223°W. USGS site number: 03479000. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Gauges on Watauga River
On This River
Upstream: Watauga River near Foscoe
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey