Big Swamp Near Tarheel flow report
As of July 15, 2026, Big Swamp Near Tarheel is flowing at 24 cfs with a gage height of 4.83 ft, rising 1623% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #02134480, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Big Swamp Near Tarheel at a glance
How Big Swamp Near Tarheel is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Big Swamp Near Tarheel is flowing at 24 cfs, with the water sitting 4.83 ft at the gage. Flow is up 1623% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.
This is USGS gauge #02134480 in North Carolina. Over the past 10 days the average has been 3 cfs, peaking at 24 cfs.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the North Carolina flow report.
Streamflow Forecast
Over the next 5 days, Big Swamp Nr Tarheel is expected to hold near today's 1 cfs, toward roughly 2 cfs by 2026-07-19 (likely range 0-8 cfs) -- running well below the seasonal normal.
Powered by PULSE — Snoflo’s forecast engine, trained on this gauge’s full record of storms, snowmelt, and dry spells.
How does this compare to past years?
Year-over-year overlay, annual peak discharge, the full distribution of daily flows on record, and the gauge's rating curve.
Weather Forecast
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day forecast
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Big Swamp Near Tarheel
The primary flow provider is rainfall, with potential tributaries including the nearby Cape Fear River, Black River, and Lumber River. Seasonal trends show higher water levels during the wetter months of the year (typically May through September), and lower levels during the drier months (October through April). There are no significant dams in the area that would impact the gauge measurements. An interesting fact about the hydrology is that the Big Swamp wetland ecosystem provides important habitat for numerous species of plants and animals, including several rare and threatened species.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Big Swamp Near Tarheel's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Big Swamp Nr Tarheel | 24 cfs |
| Cape Fear R At Wilm O Huske Lock Nr Tarheel | 1,080 cfs |
| Lumber River At Lumberton | 262 cfs |
| Lumber River At Boardman | 175 cfs |
| Lumber River Near Maxton | 122 cfs |
| Rockfish Creek At Raeford | 49 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Big Swamp Near Tarheel. Spring snowmelt is the dominant driver of streamflow in mountain basins -- a deep snowpack upstream means more runoff later in the season.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack |
|---|---|
| Elizabethtown 6.2 Nw | 0 in |
| Lumberton 8.6 Sse | 0 in |
| Mullins | 0 in |
| Burgaw 5.3 Wsw | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Big Swamp Near Tarheel.
Boat launches
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River levels & flood safety
- Read the level before you go
- A river that's runnable at one flow can be deadly at another. Check current discharge and gage height — like the values shown above — against the flood-stage thresholds, and remember levels can spike fast after rain or a dam release.
- Respect cold water
- Snowmelt rivers run cold even in summer. Sudden immersion triggers cold-water shock and saps strength within minutes. Wear a PFD, dress for the water temperature (not the air), and never wade or paddle alone.
- Watch for swiftwater hazards
- Strainers (downed trees), undercut rocks, and low-head dams are the deadliest features on moving water. High, fast, muddy water hides them. If in doubt, scout from shore and portage.
- Mind flash floods & releases
- Narrow canyons can flood from a storm miles upstream, and dam-controlled reaches can rise without warning. Know the forecast, the release schedule, and your exit before you launch.
Track Big Swamp Near Tarheel in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Big Swamp Near Tarheel crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Big Swamp Near Tarheel
Where does the streamflow data for Big Swamp Near Tarheel come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 02134480. Snoflo refreshes the time series throughout the day. Forecasts come from the NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
USGS gauges report continuously (typically every 15 minutes). Snoflo pulls fresh values throughout the day — look for the "as of" timestamp on the streamflow hero card.
What's the difference between discharge and gage height?
Discharge (cubic feet per second, or cfs) is the volume of water flowing past the gauge each second. Gage height is how high the water sits at the gauge (feet). They're related by a rating curve specific to each gauge — higher water means more flow, but the exact ratio depends on channel shape.
How is "percent of median" calculated?
Today's discharge is compared to the historical median discharge on this calendar day across the gauge's full record. 100% = right on median; 200% = a very high year; 30% = a drought-level low.
What are flood stages, and is this river safe right now?
Flood stages are NWS-defined gage-height thresholds — Action, Minor, Moderate, Major — marking when nearby roads or floodplains start to be affected. "Safe" depends on your activity and skill: a level that's a fun paddle for an expert can be lethal for a wader. Always check the current level against the thresholds above and the safety links, and when in doubt, stay off the water.
Can I get alerts when Big Swamp Near Tarheel rises?
Yes — flow alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this gauge, set a streamflow threshold (e.g. "alert me when discharge crosses 5,000 cfs"), and you'll get a push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
Access the free Big Swamp Near Tarheel report
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