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Request and receive flows on your mobile device via text message!  Learn how at boatingbeta.com/tflows.

This page is available in WAP format.  Check flows using your PDA or mobile phone using the url boatingbeta.com/wflows.

The following release schedules are available as Google calendars:  Cheoah, Coosa, Gauley, Middle Ocoee, Upper Ocoee, Nantahala, Pigeon, Russell Fork, Tallulah, Tuckasegee, Upper Yough and The Full Monty (all eleven schedules).  Visit boatingbeta Google Calendars to learn how to add release schedules to your personal Google calendar.

Runs and Levels

Runs and Levels
Run Class Current Level Reference Gage Gage Quality & Information
Big Laurel Creek III-IV- 492 cfs
(Ivy)
05/29/2023 04:30 EDT fall
USGS: Ivy Fair.  Confirm boatability using PI visual gage before putting on: min = -1' opt = .5-2.5' max = 3.5'.  Alt: Look for .75" of rain in 24 hours on the Little Laurel Creek gage.  Insufficient information:   Report your runs!  Color codes: minimum = 150, medium = 300 - 600, too high = 1000.
2480 cfs
(estimated)
05/29/2023 04:15 EDT up
BoatingBeta.com: Big Laurel at US 25/70 Bridge VG Speculative.  Confirm boatability using PI visual gage before putting on: min = -1' opt = .5-2.5' max = 3.5'.  This gage is a guestimate based on the difference between the French Broad at Marshall and the French Broad at Hot Springs.  It is set to read 50 cfs when the flow at Marshall is greater than the flow at Hot Springs.  This happens in the period after the flow from heavy rain in the French Broad headwaters has reached Marshall but not Hot Springs.  Under these conditions this VG is meaningless.  Color codes: minimum = 250, medium = 350 - 550, too high = 800.
0.32 (rain, 24 hr)
01/21/2021 14:15 EST none
AFWS: Little Laurel Creek RG No Data.  Located on a tributary to the Big Laurel.  Use this rain gauge to determine when and how much rain has fallen in the Big Laurel watershed.  Here's a link to the Little Laurel Creek rainfall archive.
Caney Fork (Rock Island) (IV) Park and Play 6329 cfs 
04/17/2020 10:00 CDT fall
BoatingBeta.com: Rock Island VG
TVA: Great Falls Dam
Excellent.  Hole under water when Center Hill Lake is over 650 feet.  Call 1-800-238-2264, 4, 36 for Great Falls Dam release. Click Great Falls Dam for predicted releases (need 2 or more units).  Color codes: minimum = 2000, medium = 2400 - 3200, too high = 7500.
647.53 feet
04/17/2020 10:00 CDT hold
TVA: Center Hill Lake Excellent.  Call 1-800-238-2264, 1, 37 for Center Hill Lake level.  Color codes: minimum = 0, medium = 1 - 649.9, too high = 650.
Chattooga, Section 3 III (IV+) 1.67 feet
05/29/2023 05:00 EDT hold
USGS: Chattooga Excellent.  Gage short distance downstream from take-out.  Color codes: minimum = 1.5, medium = 1.9 - 2.4, too high = 3.
Chattooga, Section 3 III (IV+) 1.51 feet
(estimated)
05/29/2023 05:00 EDT hold
BoatingBeta.com: Chattooga River at 76 Bridge VG Excellent.  Converts USGS stage readings to stage readings on the Route 76 bridge paddler's gage a short distance downstream from the take-out.  At 1.2 feet on the USGS gage the 76 Bridge Gage reads 0.9 feet; the discrepancy gets smaller as levels rise, with no discrepancy at levels above 2.2 feet.  Color codes: minimum = 1.3, medium = 1.8 - 2.4, too high = 3.
Chattooga, Section 4 IV-IV+ 1.67 feet
05/29/2023 05:00 EDT hold
USGS: Chattooga Excellent.  Gage short distance downstream from put-in.  Color codes: minimum = 1.4, medium = 1.8 - 2.05, too high = 2.2.
Chattooga, Section 4 IV-IV+ 1.51 feet
(estimated)
05/29/2023 05:00 EDT hold
BoatingBeta.com: Chattooga River at 76 Bridge VG Excellent.  Converts USGS stage readings to stage readings on the Route 76 bridge paddler's gage a short distance downstream from the put-in.  At 1.2 feet on the USGS gage the 76 Bridge Gage reads 0.9 feet; the discrepancy gets smaller as levels rise, with no discrepancy at levels above 2.2 feet.  Color codes: minimum = 1.2, medium = 1.7 - 2, too high = 2.2.
Doe Gorge IV 435 cfs
04/17/2020 09:00 EDT fall
TVA: Doe Excellent.  TVA : Doe.  Color codes: minimum = 300, medium = 450 - 700, too high = 1200.
French Broad, Alexander Wave (II) Park and Play 3280 cfs
05/29/2023 04:30 EDT fall
USGS: FB (Asheville) Very Good.  Gage several miles upstream.  Above 3,000 cfs the wave gets bigger and bigger but it becomes difficult to impossible to get back to the staging eddy.  Insufficient observations:   Report your sessions!  Color codes: minimum = 1800, medium = 2100 - 2700, too high = 3000.
French Broad, Barnard to Hot Springs (Section 9) III (IV-) 4980 cfs
05/29/2023 05:00 EDT fall
USGS: FB (Marshall) Excellent.   Color codes: minimum = 700, medium = 1900 - 4000, too high = 10000.
French Broad, Bent Creek to Hominy Creek (Biltmore) I-II 3280 cfs
05/29/2023 04:30 EDT fall
USGS: FB (Asheville) Excellent.   Color codes: minimum = 500, medium = 750 - 1200, too high = 1600.
French Broad, Ledges (II) Park and Play 3280 cfs
05/29/2023 04:30 EDT fall
USGS: FB (Asheville) Very Good.  Gage several miles upstream.  Insufficient observations:   Report your sessions!  Color codes: minimum = 1000, medium = 2500 - 4000, too high = 5000.
French Broad, Marshall to Barnard (Section 8) I-II 3280 cfs
05/29/2023 04:30 EDT fall
USGS: FB (Asheville) Very Good.  Insufficient observations:   Report your runs!  Color codes: minimum = 500, medium = 750 - 1200, too high = 1600.
French Broad, Rosman to Bent Creek (multiple sections) I 889 cfs
05/29/2023 04:30 EDT fall
USGS: FB (Blantyre) Very Good.   Color codes: minimum = 250, medium = 350 - 600, too high = 1100.
French Broad, Barnard to Hot Springs (Section 9) III (IV-) 4980 cfs
05/29/2023 05:00 EDT fall
USGS: FB (Marshall) Very Good.  Major tributary enters river below PI (Big Laurel).  Color codes: minimum = 1200, medium = 1900 - 4000, too high = 10000.
French Broad, Woodfin to Alexander (Section 6) II 3280 cfs
05/29/2023 04:30 EDT fall
USGS: FB (Asheville) Very Good.  Insufficient observations:   Report your runs!  Color codes: minimum = 500, medium = 750 - 1200, too high = 1600.
Ivy, Forks of Ivy to Eller Cove Road I-II (II+) 492 cfs
05/29/2023 04:30 EDT fall
USGS: Ivy Poor.  Run well upstream of gage.   Insufficient observations:   Report your runs!  Color codes: minimum = 200, medium = 250 - 350, too high = 400.
Linville Gorge (Linville Falls to Lake James) IV-V+ 2.67 feet
05/29/2023 05:00 EDT fall
USGS: Linville Good.  Gage at TO; record of PI flow six hours earlier.  Readings on this gage and boatable flows appear to have reverted back to their pre-floods of 2004 relationship.  The color coding was been updated 2008-11-15 to reflect this but more input is always appreciated:  Report your runs!  Color codes: minimum = 1.7, medium = 2 - 2.4, too high = 2.7.
Little Pigeon, Lower West Prong (Picnic Area to Campbell Overlook) V 1.31 inches
(rain, 24 hours)
01/21/2021 14:15 EST hold
AFWS: Newfound Gap RG Speculative.  Warning!  The relationship between the Picnic area bridge visual gage and safely boatable flows has changed several time in the last couple years.  The following values are at best hints . . . observe the flow independently of the gage and use your judgement!  Picnic area bridge visual gage:  min = 1', opt = 1.3-1.5', max = 1.7'.  If water table up, look for widespread 1+" of rain, esp. at Newfound Gap; in summer look for 1.5+":  AFWS: Sevier County.  Insufficient observations:   Report your runs!  Color codes: minimum = 1, medium = 1.5 - 2, too high = 2.5.
1 feet (estimated)
01/21/2021 13:39 EST hold
BoatingBeta.com: West Prong at Picnic Area VG Speculative.  Based on the AFWS: Chimney Pic SG;  as of December 2008 it appears the online gage reads about .7 feet above the visual gage.  Help dial this gage in, both the relationship to the visual gage and the color coding (the relationship between the Picnic Area visual reading and boatabilty changes more frequently than any other gage I know):  Report your runs!  Color codes: minimum = 1, medium = 1.3 - 1.5, too high = 1.7.
1.74 feet
01/21/2021 13:39 EST rise
AFWS: Chimney Pic SG Speculative.  Gage has been offline more than offline for years.  As of December 2008 it appears the online gage reads about .7 feet above the visual gage.  Help dial this gage in, both the relationship to the visual gage and the color coding (which frequently changes):  Report your runs!  Note:  AFWS gages can report sporadically.  Here are links to the Chimney Picnic Area (West Prong) hydrograph and Chimney Picnic Area (West Prong) streamflow archive.  Color codes: minimum = 1.7, medium = 2 - 2.2, too high = 2.4.
Little Pigeon, Road Prong of the West Prong V-V+ 1.31 inches
(rain, 24 hours)
01/21/2021 14:15 EST hold
AFWS: Newfound Gap RG Speculative.  Footbridge visual gage: 12 painted stripes down (-12") = min; if -7" can run Upper Road Prong.  Runs when everything else too high.  Insufficient observations:   Report your runs!  Color codes: minimum = 1, medium = 1.5 - 2, too high = 2.5.
Little Pigeon, Upper West Prong (Trailhead to Picnic Area) V-V+ 1.31 inches
(rain, 24 hours)
01/21/2021 14:15 EST hold
AFWS: Newfound Gap RG Speculative.  Warning!  The relationship between the Picnic area bridge visual gage and safely boatable flows has changed several time in the last couple years.  The following values are at best hints . . . observe the flow independently of the gage and use your judgement!  Picnic area bridge visual gage:  min = 1', opt = 1.3-1.5', max = 1.7'.  If water table up, look for widespread 1+" of rain, esp. at Newfound Gap; in summer look for 1.5+":  AFWS: Sevier County.  Insufficient observations:   Report your runs!  Color codes: minimum = 1, medium = 1.5 - 2, too high = 2.5.
1 feet (estimated)
01/21/2021 13:39 EST hold
BoatingBeta.com: West Prong at Picnic Area VG Speculative.  Based on the AFWS: Chimney Pic SG;  as of December 2008 it appears the online gage reads about .7 feet above the visual gage.  Help dial this gage in, both the relationship to the visual gage and the color coding (the relationship between the Picnic Area visual reading and boatabilty changes more frequently than any other gage I know):  Report your runs!  Color codes: minimum = 1, medium = 1.3 - 1.5, too high = 1.7.
1.74 feet
01/21/2021 13:39 EST rise
AFWS: Chimney Pic SG Speculative.  Gage has been offline more than offline for years.  As of December 2008 it appears the online gage reads about .7 feet above the visual gage.  Help dial this gage in, both the relationship to the visual gage and the color coding (which frequently changes):  Report your runs!  Note:  AFWS gages can report sporadically.  Here are links to the Chimney Picnic Area (West Prong) hydrograph and Chimney Picnic Area (West Prong) streamflow archive.  Color codes: minimum = 1.7, medium = 2 - 2.2, too high = 2.4.
Little Tennessee, Iotla to Lost Bridge I-II 735 cfs
05/29/2023 04:15 EDT hold
USGS: Little Tennessee (Needmore) Excellent.  Gage near TO.  Color codes: minimum = 230, medium = 500 - 1500, too high = 2500.
Little Tennessee, Lost Bridge to Fontana Lake II+ 735 cfs
05/29/2023 04:15 EDT hold
USGS: Little Tennessee (Needmore) Excellent.  Gage near PI.  Color codes: minimum = 350, medium = 500 - 2000, too high = 2500.
New River Gorge III-IV 4060 cfs
05/29/2023 04:45 EDT hold
USGS: New (Thurmond) Excellent.  Gage moderate distance upstream of PI.  Alt:  Army Corps of Engineers New at Thurmond  Has been run at least as low as 1000 cfs but gets very tight and shallow.  Color codes: minimum = 1700, medium = 2440 - 7500, too high = 14000.
New River Gorge III-IV 1.66 feet
(estimated)
05/29/2023 04:45 EDT hold
BoatingBeta.com: New River at Fayette Station VG Fair.  Based on an old raft company rating table.  Has been run as low as -2.3 feet but gets very tight and shallow.  Color codes: minimum = -1, medium = 0 - 4, too high = 7.
Nolichucky, Big Rock (II+) Park and Play 4920 cfs
05/29/2023 04:30 EDT fall
USGS: Nolichucky Excellent  The gage is located within minutes of the hole.  Color codes: minimum = 400, medium = 550 - 650, too high = 900.
Nolichucky, Cowbell (II) Mystery moves 4920 cfs
05/29/2023 04:30 EDT fall
USGS: Nolichucky Poor.  The Embreeville reading is an historical record of the flow at Cowbell eight hours earlier.  Cowbell washed away in floods of 2004 but is coming back.%nbsp; Help dial it back in:  Report your sinks!  Color codes: minimum = 1000, medium = 1600 - 2800, too high = 4000.
Nolichucky, Gorge III-IV 4920 cfs
05/29/2023 04:30 EDT fall
USGS: Nolichucky Fair.  The water takes about twelve hours to get from the put-in to the Embreeville gage.  Color codes: minimum = 500, medium = 1500 - 2000, too high = 6000.
Nolichucky, Secret Spot (II+) Park and Play 4751 cfs
04/17/2020 09:00 EDT fall
TVA: Below Nolichucky Dam Excellent.  Gage below dam, near park 'n play spot.  Recently added to set of gages TVA reports.  Color codes: minimum = 1200, medium = 2200 - 3300, too high = 4500.
Ocoee, Flipper (II) Park and Play 1133 cfs
(estimated)
04/17/2020 11:00 EDT hold
BoatingBeta.com: Ocoee River Below Ocoee #2 Dam VG
TVA: Ocoee #2
Excellent.  Scheduled releases occur mid-March - first weekend in November; unscheduled releases sometimes occur after heavy rains.  The virtual gage displays both scheduled and unscheduled releases.  Call the TVA at 865-632-6065 for information on flume breaks, unscheduled spills, etc.  Annual calendar of scheduled Middle Ocoee releases.  Color codes: minimum = 450, medium = 1200 - 2200, too high = 3000.
Ocoee, Hellhole (III) Park and Play 1133 cfs
(estimated)
04/17/2020 11:00 EDT hold
BoatingBeta.com: Ocoee River Below Ocoee #2 Dam VG
TVA: Ocoee #2
Excellent.  Scheduled releases occur mid-March - first weekend in November; unscheduled releases sometimes occur after heavy rains.  The virtual gage displays both scheduled and unscheduled releases.  Call the TVA at 865-632-6065 for information on flume breaks, unscheduled spills, etc.  Annual calendar of scheduled Middle Ocoee releases.  Color codes: minimum = 1000, medium = 1500 - 2200, too high = 2400.
Ocoee, Middle (Ocoee #2 Dam to below Ocoee #2 Powerhouse) III+ 1133 cfs
(estimated)
04/17/2020 11:00 EDT hold
BoatingBeta.com: Ocoee River Below Ocoee #2 Dam VG
TVA: Ocoee #2
Excellent.  Scheduled releases occur mid-March - first weekend in November; unscheduled releases sometimes occur after heavy rains.  The virtual gage displays both scheduled and unscheduled releases.  Call the TVA at 865-632-6065 for information on flume breaks, unscheduled spills, etc.  Annual calendar of scheduled Middle Ocoee releases.  Color codes: minimum = 500, medium = 1000 - 2400, too high = 3600.
Russell Fork of the Levisa Fork of the Big Sandy, Gorge IV-V 1672 cfs
(estimated)
05/29/2023 04:30 EDT fall
USGS: Russell Fork + USGS: Pound Excellent.  The gages that are combined to create this virtual gage are located approximately five (Pound) and seven (Russell Fork) miles upstream of the Garden Hole put-in.  Alt: Army Corps of Engineers Russell Fork at Bartlick.  This gage combines the Russell Fork and Pound River flows.  It is located approximately three miles upstream of the Garden Hole put-in.  Scheduled releases occur in October; unscheduled releases occur year round.  Water takes approximately 2.5 hours to reach put-in.  Annual calendar of scheduled Russell Fork releases.  Color codes: minimum = 150, medium = 400 - 800, too high = 1500.
Russell Fork of the Levisa Fork of the Big Sandy, Upper II-III (IV-) 1672 cfs
(estimated)
05/29/2023 04:30 EDT fall
USGS: Russell Fork + USGS: Pound Excellent.  The gages that are combined to create this virtual gage are located approximately two (Pound) and four (Russell Fork) miles upstream of the Bartlick Bridge put-in.  Alt: Army Corps of Engineers Russell Fork at Bartlick.  This gage combines the Russell Fork and Pound River flows.  It is located at the Bartlick Bridge put-in.  Scheduled releases occur in October; unscheduled releases occur year round.  Water takes approximately one hour to reach put-in.  Annual calendar of scheduled Russell Fork releases.  Color codes: minimum = 400, medium = 800 - 1200, too high = 3000.
Saluda (Mosh Pit / Pop Up Hole) (II) Park and Play 1210 cfs
05/29/2023 05:00 EDT hold
USGS: Saluda near Columbia Excellent.  Gage located a short distance upstream of the hole.  Alt #1: Call 1-800-830-5253 for the daily release forecast.  If SCE&G is releasing the hole will be playable;  two turbines are good and all five can be ideal.  Alt #2: the USGS gages the Saluda below Lake Murray Dam;  this flow reaches the Mosh Pit a little over two hours later.  Note: the color coding is for the Mosh Pit, but this hole is part of a series of rapids with plenty of opportunities for paddling and play at levels as high as 20,000 cfs!  Color codes: minimum = 1000, medium = 3300 - 4500, too high = 5000.
Swannanoa I-II 462 cfs
05/29/2023 05:00 EDT fall
USGS: Swannanoa Speculative.  Color coding inspired guesswork.  Insufficient observations:   Report your runs!  Color codes: minimum = 100, medium = 150 - 300, too high = 400.
Toe River Gorge, Toecane to Red Hill Bridge II-III 4920 cfs
(Nolichucky)
05/29/2023 04:30 EDT fall
USGS: Nolichucky Fair.  Red Hill bridge visual gage: min = 0, opt = 1-2'.  Generally runs when the Nolichucky runs; Noli gage 40 miles downstream.   Insufficient observations:   Report your runs!  Color codes: minimum = 800, medium = 1500 - 2000, too high = 6000.
Toe River, South Fork, Patience Mullindore Park to NC 80 Bridge II (III) 250 cfs
05/29/2023 04:30 EDT fall
USGS: South Toe Fair.  Insufficient observations:   Report your runs!  Color codes: minimum = 150, medium = 300 - 800, too high = 1800.
Tuckaseegee, Devil's Dip (II) Park and Play 917 cfs
05/29/2023 04:15 EDT fall
USGS: Tuckasegee (Bryson City) Excellent.  Duke Energy provides 3 day generation schedules every morning.  Water arrives about 13 hours after release.  A release on either Fork provides water to Devil's Dip.  Alt: Call 866-332-5253 (toll free) or 828-369-4559 for release information.  When the water is too low Devil's Dip is sticky and shallow, with the potential to break paddles in the player's right side of the hole.  From 700-2000 cfs it is a sticky hole, from 2,500-2,800 (the optimum) an excellent wave/hole, from 2,800-3,000 it is tricky to get to, and over 3,000 it is gone.   Color codes: minimum = 700, medium = 2000 - 2800, too high = 3000.
Tuckaseegee, Dillsboro to Barker's Creek II 406 cfs
05/29/2023 04:15 EDT fall
USGS: Tuckasegee (Barker's Creek) Excellent.  Gage a quarter mile or so above the take-out.  An annual calendar of scheduled releases is available at Duke Power's Tuckasegee Recreation Flow Calendar (select Nantahala Area on the dropdown menu; the link will be on the right side of the page you are taken to).  The calendar is color coded: Releases on the East Fork of the Tuckasegee are colored purple, come from the Cedar Cliff PH, and are generally 500 cfs; releases on the West Fork of the Tuckasegee are colored red, come from the Thorpe PH, and are generally 250 cfs.  You will note that from late May to early September, the higher East Fork releases are frequently Wed, Thu and Sat, while the lower West Fork releases are frequently Tu, Fri, and Sun.  Color codes: minimum = 250, medium = 500 - 750, too high = 1500.
Tuckaseegee, East Fork, Granny Burrel Falls to Rock Bridge (Upper Upper EF Tuckaseegee) IV-V 5.41 feet
01/21/2021 13:40 EST hold
AFWS: Rock Bridge SG Fair.  Thanks to Kirk Eddlemon for tracking this gage and working out the levels.  Some of the color coding is still speculative, however, and it is always good to have more data:   Report your runs!  Note:  AFWS gages can report sporadically.  Here are links to the Rock Bridge hydrograph and Rock Bridge streamflow archive.  Color codes: minimum = 2, medium = 2.3 - 3, too high = 4.
0.04 inches
(rain,12 hrs)
01/21/2021 14:15 EST hold
AFWS: Hogback RG Speculative.  Thanks to Kirk Eddlemon for tracking this gage and working out the levels.  Except for the minimum the color coding is speculative, so Report your runs!  Color codes: minimum = 1.5, medium = 2 - 2.25, too high = 3.
0.04 inches
(rain, 24 hrs)
01/21/2021 14:15 EST hold
AFWS: Hogback RG Speculative.  Thanks to Kirk Eddlemon for tracking this gage and working out the levels.  Except for the minimum the color coding is speculative, so Report your runs!  Color codes: minimum = 2, medium = 3 - 4, too high = 5.
Tuckaseegee, Ela to Bryson City II 917 cfs
05/29/2023 04:15 EDT fall
USGS: Tuckasegee Excellent.  Gage at TO.  Alt: Call 866-332-5253 (toll free) or 828-369-4559 for release information.  Color codes: minimum = 750, medium = 1250 - 3000, too high = 6000.
Tuckaseegee, Whittier to Ela II (II+) 917 cfs
05/29/2023 04:15 EDT fall
USGS: Tuckasegee Fair.  Gage well downstream of PI.  Alt: Call 866-332-5253 (toll free) or 828-369-4559 for release information.  Color codes: minimum = 750, medium = 1250 - 3000, too high = 6000.
Watauga Gorge IV-V- 318 cfs
05/29/2023 04:30 EDT fall
USGS: Watauga Very Good.  Gage 2 miles upstream of PI.  Color codes: minimum = 160, medium = 250 - 500, too high = 1200.
Wilson Creek, Gorge (flows) IV 2.85 feet
05/29/2023 04:45 EDT fall
USGS: Wilson Creek (Adako Bridge) Excellent.  This USGS gage is located on Wilson Creek at Adako Bridge, essentially at the location of the traditional paddler's gage.  Color codes: minimum = 2.5, medium = 3 - 3.5, too high = 4.
-1.8 inches
05/29/2023 04:45 EDT fall
BoatingBeta.com: Wilson Creek VG Excellent.  This gage is based on the USGS gage located on Wilson Creek at Adako Bridge.nbsp; The USGS gage was set to make it read 3 feet when the traditional paddler's gage reads 0.  Color codes: minimum = -6, medium = 0 - 6, too high = 12.
775 cfs
05/29/2023 05:15 EDT fall
USGS: Johns River Fair.  It is best to look at sets of gages to determine if Wilson Creek is running.  WC is a tributary to the Johns River;  the Johns River USGS gage is located 7.5 miles downstream of the WC visual gage so flows on the Johns Creek gage are serveral hours behind flows on WC.  If both the Watauga and Johns River gages indicate that WC is running it most likely is, and at a level close to that on the WC virtual gage.  If, on the other hand, the Watauga is running at a healthy level and Johns River hasn't budged the rain may have fallen on the west side of the mountains and WC is dry.  Color codes: minimum = 300, medium = 500 - 1600, too high = 2000.
318 cfs
05/29/2023 04:30 EDT fall
USGS: Watauga Fair.  When rainfall is widespread the Watauga is an amazingly good predictor of the level on Wilson Creek.  Widespread rainfall occurs frequently in the Winter and Spring, less often in the Summer.  Look at the WC rain gauges (is the rainfall widespread?) and the Johns River gage (is it rising?).  If the answers to these questions are "no," go run the Watauga instead!  Color codes: minimum = 170, medium = 280 - 370, too high = 600.
58.8 cfs
05/29/2023 04:45 EDT fall
USGS: Yadkin (Patterson) Fair.  The Yadkin is the next watershed north of Johns Creek.  If rainfall is widespread and the Upper Yadkin is over 50 cfs WC is generally running;  If, on the other hand, the Yadkin is indicating a good WC flow and Johns Creek is indicating a marginal flow there is a good chance the rain fell north of the WC watershed and WC is not running.  Color codes: minimum = 50, medium = 150 - 250, too high = 350.

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Flow Color Coding Key

Flow Color Coding Key
Color Interpretation Meaning

Note:  assigning flow codes is highly subjective -- one person's "way too high" is another's "yahoo!"  I have attempted to assign the codes relative to the typical person likely to boat the run at normal levels.  "Too high" in this context means "the typical person found on this run at the levels it is most often paddled would find this run at this level very challenging."  In general, runs are harder at higher levels.  Use your discretion regarding the suitability of the run to your skill level and experience after seeing the level in person.
  Too High Beyond the envelope for the typical person likely to boat this run.
  High Frequently run this high, but a stretch for the typical person likely to boat this run.
  Medium Very enjoyable for the typical person likely to boat this run.
  Low Frequently run this low.  Worth a look but probably not a long drive.
  Too Low Seldom run lower by anyone who isn't desperate and/or lives by the put-in.
  Don't Know What's your opinion of this level?  Email The River Gages Project.

Gage Quality Key

Gage Quality Key
Rating Meaning
Excellent Gage located on the reach near the run.  Significant number of observations.
Very good Gage located on the reach but a significant number of tributaries upstream or downsteam from the run, or gage based on rainfall or located on a proxy reach.  Significant number of observations and strong correlation.
Fair Gage located on the reach near the run but very limited number of observations; gage located on the reach but a significant number of tributaries upstream or downsteam from the run, or gage based on rainfall or located on a proxy reach.  Limited number of observations and/or modest correlation.
Poor Gage is based on rainfall or located on a proxy reach.  Significant number of observations but weak correlation.
Speculative Gage is based on rainfall or located on a proxy reach.  Very limited number of observations or very weak correlation.