Oconaluftee River At Birdtown flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Oconaluftee River At Birdtown is flowing at 698 cfs with a gage height of 2.20 ft, rising 80% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #03512000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Oconaluftee River At Birdtown at a glance
How Oconaluftee River At Birdtown is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Oconaluftee River At Birdtown is flowing at 698 cfs, with the water sitting 2.20 ft at the gage. Flow is up 80% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.
This is USGS gauge #03512000 in North Carolina. Over the past 10 days the average has been 264 cfs, peaking at 698 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Oconaluftee River At Birdtown is expected to hold near today's 387 cfs, toward roughly 357 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 227-561 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.
Oconaluftee River At Birdtown
The flow of the river is primarily fed by rainfall and snowmelt. There are no major tributaries or dams in the immediate vicinity of the streamgauge. The river experiences seasonal trends with higher flows in the spring and lower flows in the summer and fall. The hydrology of the river is also influenced by the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Interestingly, the name Oconaluftee is derived from the Cherokee language and translates to "by the river."
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Oconaluftee River At Birdtown's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Oconaluftee River At Birdtown | 698 cfs |
| Tuckasegee River At Bryson City | 1,210 cfs |
| Tuckasegee River At Barker's Creek | 416 cfs |
| Little Tennessee River At Needmore | 684 cfs |
| Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Nr Cullowhee | 70 cfs |
| Little Tennessee R At Franklin | 1,050 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Oconaluftee River At Birdtown. 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 |
|---|---|
| Bryson City 4 | 0 in |
| New Found Gap | 12 in |
| Gatlinburg | 0 in |
| Dillard 0.7 Nnw | 0 in |
| Brevard | 0 in |
| Germany Valley | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Oconaluftee River At Birdtown.
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 Oconaluftee River At Birdtown in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Oconaluftee River At Birdtown crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Oconaluftee River At Birdtown
Where does the streamflow data for Oconaluftee River At Birdtown come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 03512000. 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 Oconaluftee River At Birdtown 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 Oconaluftee River At Birdtown report
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