Little Sugar Creek At Pineville flow report

North Carolina, USA USGS #02146530 ↗

As of July 13, 2026, Little Sugar Creek At Pineville is flowing at 55 cfs with a gage height of 1.97 ft, rising 61% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #02146530, refreshed throughout the day.

Stale data This gauge hasn’t reported in days (last reading unknown). The readings below may not reflect current conditions.
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Right now · latest observation
Little Sugar Creek At Pineville
USGS gauge #02146530
55 cfs streamflow
Latest reading from this gauge.
Gage height
1.97ft
Water temp
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% of median
Since yesterday
↑ 61%
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Conditions summary

Little Sugar Creek At Pineville at a glance

How Little Sugar Creek At Pineville is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.

Little Sugar Creek At Pineville is flowing at 55 cfs, with the water sitting 1.97 ft at the gage. Flow is up 61% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.

This is USGS gauge #02146530 in North Carolina. Over the past 10 days the average has been 316 cfs, peaking at 2,600 cfs.

Over the next 5 days, Little Sugar Creek At Pineville is expected to hold near today's 34 cfs, toward roughly 32 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 14-73 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.

Little Sugar Creek At Pineville on the map Open map →
Site IDUSGS 02146530
Last updated2026-07-13
Gage height, ft1.97 ft
Streamflow, ft³/s55.1 ft3/s
Stream water level elevation above NAVD 1988, in ft534.02 ft
Max recorded4,980 cfs
Streamflow outlook

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.

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Historical context

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.

Detailed forecast

Weather Forecast

Hourly detail

Next 5 days, hour by hour

Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.

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Deep dive

5-day forecast table

Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.

TimeConditionTemp (°F)Snow (in)Rain (in)Humidity (%)Wind (mps)Wind dir
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Long-term outlook

15-day forecast

Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.

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About this location

Little Sugar Creek At Pineville

It does not have any major tributaries or dams. The stream experiences seasonal fluctuations with the highest flows occurring during the winter and spring months due to increased rainfall. In contrast, the lowest flows occur during the summer months when evapotranspiration rates are high. Interestingly, the stream flows through a highly urbanized area with many impervious surfaces, which can exacerbate flooding during heavy rainfall events. Despite this, efforts to restore and protect the stream's ecological health have been ongoing.

Regional streamflow

Nearby streamflow levels

Cross-check Little Sugar Creek At Pineville's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.

Regional snowpack

Nearby snowpack data

Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Little Sugar Creek At Pineville. Spring snowmelt is the dominant driver of streamflow in mountain basins -- a deep snowpack upstream means more runoff later in the season.

SNOTEL stationSnowpack
Catawba 0 in
Concord 0 in
Salisbury 9 Wnw 0 in
Nearby recreation

Plan a trip

Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Little Sugar Creek At Pineville.

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 Sugar Creek At Pineville in the Snoflo app

Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Little Sugar Creek At Pineville crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.

FAQ

About Little Sugar Creek At Pineville

Where does the streamflow data for Little Sugar Creek At Pineville come from?

Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 02146530. 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 Sugar Creek At Pineville 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.