Little Tennessee River At Franklin Flow Report
As of July 17, 2026, Little Tennessee River At Franklin is flowing at 1,050 cfs, receding 8% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #03501500, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Little Tennessee River At Franklin at a glance
How Little Tennessee River At Franklin is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Little Tennessee River At Franklin is flowing at 1,050 cfs, with the water sitting 3.21 ft at the gage. Flow is down 8% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #03501500 in North Carolina. Over the past 10 days the average has been 1,371 cfs, peaking at 1,770 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.
Engineering Data
Flow-duration statistics and observed peak-flow context computed from this gauge’s complete daily record (USGS #03501500).
Estimate flows at an ungauged site
Drainage-area ratio transfer from this gauge . Most reliable for hydrologically similar sites in the same watershed with area ratios between roughly 0.5 and 1.5.
Percentiles are flow-duration values computed from this gauge’s observed daily record as archived by Snoflo. Return periods are Weibull plotting-position estimates from observed annual maxima, provided as general reference context only. Always verify against official USGS NWIS records. Part of Snoflo for Engineering.
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 Tennessee River At Franklin
The river has several tributaries, including the Cullasaja River and the Nantahala River. There are also several dams along the Little Tennessee River that affect its flow rate, including the Fontana Dam and the Cheoah Dam. The river experiences seasonal variations in flow rate due to changes in precipitation and snowmelt. One interesting fact about the Little Tennessee River is that it is home to several threatened and endangered species, including the Appalachian Elktoe mussel and the Tennessee clubshell mussel.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Little Tennessee River At Franklin's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Little Tennessee R At Franklin | 1,050 cfs |
| Cartoogechaye Creek Near Franklin | 261 cfs |
| Little Tennessee River Near Prentiss | 164 cfs |
| Little Tennessee River At Needmore | 548 cfs |
| Tuckasegee River At Barker's Creek | 652 cfs |
| Nantahala River Near Rainbow Springs | 144 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Little Tennessee River At Franklin. 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 |
|---|---|
| Dillard 0.7 Nnw | 0 in |
| Bryson City 4 | 0 in |
| Germany Valley | 0 in |
| New Found Gap | 12 in |
| Gatlinburg | 0 in |
| Brevard | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Little Tennessee River At Franklin.
Nearby reservoirs
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Boat launches
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River runs
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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 Tennessee River At Franklin in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Little Tennessee River At Franklin crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Little Tennessee River At Franklin
Where does the streamflow data for Little Tennessee River At Franklin come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 03501500. 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 Tennessee River At Franklin 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 Tennessee River At Franklin report
Create your free account to track this river — and everything else you love on the water.
- Flow alerts — get pinged the moment this river hits your range
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- Full history & forecasts — plus the free iPhone app