Major Flood
18 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
14 ft
Action Stage
12 ft
What Floods at Each Level
14 ft
FLOOD STAGE. RIVER WILL OVERFLOW ITS BANKS AT THE SPARTANBURG WATER TREATMENT PLANT AND WILL ALSO EFFECT THE BRIDGE AT THE PLANT.
12 ft
ACTION STAGE. OLD CONVERSE/CLIFTON MILL NUMBER 1 SITE WILL BEGIN TO FLOOD AND WATER FLOWS INTO BACKYARDS OF HOMES ALONG RIVER STREET.
10 ft
BANKFULL STAGE.
1.75 ft
1.75 BASIN AVERAGE RAINFALL IN 2 HOURS CAUSED THE RIVER TO RISE 4 FT WET GROUND. IF IN A DROUGHT IT WENT FROM 2 FT TO 3.7 FT WITH NO RELEASE FROM DAM..
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 |
|---|---|---|
| May 22, 2003 | 17.1 ft | 22,900 cfs |
| Aug 27, 1995 | 17.1 ft | 22,900 cfs |
| Feb 7, 2020 | 16.63 ft | 20,200 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
COWS1
River
Pacolet River
County
Spartanburg, SC
Coordinates
35.0475°N, 81.8558°W
Get Flood Alerts for Pacolet 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 Pacolet River above Cowpens?
The Pacolet River above Cowpens gauge is maintained by USGS (site 021556525) 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 Pacolet River above Cowpens?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Pacolet River above Cowpens is 14 feet. Action stage begins at 12 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 16 feet, and major flooding at 18 feet.
How do I get alerts when Pacolet River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Pacolet River above Cowpens 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 Pacolet River above Cowpens gauge located?
The gauge is located in Spartanburg County, South Carolina at coordinates 35.0475°N, 81.8558°W. USGS site number: 021556525. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Gauges on Pacolet River
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey