Irwin Creek Near Charlotte flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Irwin Creek Near Charlotte is flowing at 28 cfs with a gage height of 0.61 ft, rising 27% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #02146300, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Irwin Creek Near Charlotte at a glance
How Irwin Creek Near Charlotte is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Irwin Creek Near Charlotte is flowing at 28 cfs, with the water sitting 0.61 ft at the gage. Flow is up 27% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.
This is USGS gauge #02146300 in North Carolina. Over the past 10 days the average has been 175 cfs, peaking at 1,540 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Irwin Creek Near Charlotte is expected to recede from today's 22 cfs, toward roughly 17 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 7-41 cfs) -- drier than normal for the date.
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
Powered by PULSE — Snoflo’s Predictive Unified Learning & Simulation Engine, which learns from how this river has answered every past storm, snowmelt, and dry spell to forecast where it’s headed with a precision generic models can’t match.
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.
Irwin Creek Near Charlotte
The stream receives water from several small tributaries, including Stewart Creek and Sugar Creek. The stream gauge provides data on flow and stage height, which is important for monitoring flood potential in the area. There are no significant dams on the Irwin Creek, but the stream is prone to flash floods during heavy rain events. Seasonal trends show increased flows during the wet season in the fall and winter, while flows decrease during the dry summer months. One quirky fact is that the Irwin Creek is named after Samuel Irwin, an early settler in the area who built a mill on the creek in the late 1700s.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Irwin Creek Near Charlotte's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Irwin Creek Near Charlotte | 28 cfs |
| Taggart Creek At West Boulevard Nr Charlotte | 16 cfs |
| Stewart Creek At West Morehead St At Charlotte | 28 cfs |
| Stewart Creek At State St At Charlotte | 22 cfs |
| Little Hope Cr At Seneca Place At Charlotte | 0 cfs |
| Coffey Creek Nr Charlotte | 45 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Irwin Creek Near Charlotte. 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 |
|---|---|
| Concord | 0 in |
| Catawba | 0 in |
| Salisbury 9 Wnw | 0 in |
| Casar | 0 in |
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 Irwin Creek Near Charlotte in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Irwin Creek Near Charlotte crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Irwin Creek Near Charlotte
Where does the streamflow data for Irwin Creek Near Charlotte come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 02146300. 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 Irwin Creek Near Charlotte 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 Irwin Creek Near Charlotte report
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