Little River At Manchester flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Little River At Manchester is flowing at 42 cfs with a gage height of 5.70 ft, rising 91% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #02103000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Little River At Manchester at a glance
How Little River At Manchester is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Little River At Manchester is flowing at 42 cfs, with the water sitting 5.70 ft at the gage. Flow is up 91% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.
This is USGS gauge #02103000 in North Carolina. Over the past 10 days the average has been 33 cfs, peaking at 54 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Little River At Manchester is expected to rise from today's 42 cfs, toward roughly 49 cfs by 2026-07-18 (likely range 16-147 cfs) -- running well below the seasonal normal.
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.
Little River At Manchester
The river is fed by several smaller tributaries and is home to a diverse range of aquatic life, including fish and invertebrates. The flow of the river is influenced by seasonal trends, with higher water levels during the spring and lower levels in the summer and fall. Additionally, the river is affected by several nearby dams, including the Jordan Lake Dam, which can impact the flow of water downstream. Interestingly, the Little River is known for its scenic beauty, and it has been the subject of numerous poems and works of literature over the years.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Little River At Manchester's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Little River At Manchester | 42 cfs |
| Flat Creek Near Inverness | 3 cfs |
| Cape Fear River At Lillington | 617 cfs |
| Rockfish Creek At Raeford | 31 cfs |
| Buckhorn Creek Nr Corinth | 15 cfs |
| Cape Fear R At Wilm O Huske Lock Nr Tarheel | 702 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Little River At Manchester. 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 |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Little River At Manchester.
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 Little River At Manchester in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Little River At Manchester crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Little River At Manchester
Where does the streamflow data for Little River At Manchester come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 02103000. 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 Little River At Manchester 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 Little River At Manchester report
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