Tar River At Tarboro flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Tar River At Tarboro is flowing at 99 cfs with a gage height of 1.40 ft, rising 5% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #02083500, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Tar River At Tarboro at a glance
How Tar River At Tarboro is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Tar River At Tarboro is flowing at 99 cfs, with the water sitting 1.40 ft at the gage. Flow is up 5% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.
This is USGS gauge #02083500 in North Carolina. Over the past 10 days the average has been 85 cfs, peaking at 99 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Tar River At Tarboro is expected to rise from today's 94 cfs, toward roughly 105 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 33-337 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.
Tar River At Tarboro
The Tar River is primarily fed by stormwater runoff and groundwater, and is affected by tributaries such as Fishing Creek and Swift Creek. There are no major dams on the Tar River at Tarboro, but there are smaller dams upstream that can affect the flow. The hydrology of the Tar River is influenced by seasonal trends, with higher flow during the winter and spring months and lower flow during the summer and fall. Interestingly, the Tar River was named for the tar that was once harvested from the pine forests surrounding it, which was used to waterproof ships during the colonial era.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Tar River At Tarboro's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Tar River At Tarboro | 99 cfs |
| Tar River At Nc 97 At Rocky Mount | 248 cfs |
| Fishing Creek Near Enfield | 12 cfs |
| Tar River At Greenville | 260 cfs |
| Swift Creek At Hilliardston | 858 cfs |
| Little Fishing Creek Near White Oak | 1 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Tar River At Tarboro. 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 |
|---|---|
| Farmville 3.1 Nw | 0 in |
| Greenville 4.6 W | 0 in |
| Washington 1.0 Ssw | 0 in |
| Lwr Cstl Plain Tobacco Research Stn | 0 in |
| Washington | 0 in |
| Kinston 3.7 Wnw | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Tar River At Tarboro.
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 Tar River At Tarboro in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Tar River At Tarboro crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Tar River At Tarboro
Where does the streamflow data for Tar River At Tarboro come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 02083500. 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 Tar River At Tarboro 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 Tar River At Tarboro report
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