Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Near Cullowhee flow report

North Carolina, USA USGS #03508050 ↗

As of July 13, 2026, Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Near Cullowhee is flowing at 70 cfs with a gage height of 4.04 ft, receding 82% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #03508050, 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
Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Near Cullowhee
USGS gauge #03508050
70 cfs streamflow
Latest reading from this gauge.
Gage height
4.04ft
Water temp
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% of median
Since yesterday
↓ -83%
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Conditions summary

Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Near Cullowhee at a glance

How Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Near Cullowhee is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.

Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Near Cullowhee is flowing at 70 cfs, with the water sitting 4.04 ft at the gage. Flow is down 82% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.

This is USGS gauge #03508050 in North Carolina. Over the past 10 days the average has been 507 cfs, peaking at 762 cfs.

Over the next 5 days, Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Nr Cullowhee is expected to recede from today's 401 cfs, toward roughly 246 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 90-678 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.

Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Near Cullowhee on the map Open map →
Site IDUSGS 03508050
Last updated2026-07-13
Gage height, ft4.04 ft
Stream water level elevation above NAVD 1988, in ft2115.49 ft
Streamflow, ft³/s69.9 ft3/s
Max recorded8,630 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

Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Near Cullowhee

The river's flow is influenced by precipitation, groundwater, and snowmelt, and its constituents include sediment, nutrients, and organic matter. The river is fed by several tributaries, including Scotts Creek and Savannah Creek, and is impounded by several dams, such as the Dillsboro Dam and the Tuckasegee Dam. The river's flow is highest in the spring and lowest in the fall, with occasional flooding during heavy rain events. Interesting facts about the hydrology of the Tuckasegee River include its designation as a "Delayed Harvest" trout stream, which means that only catch-and-release fishing is allowed during certain times of the year, and its use as a filming location for the movie "The Fugitive."

Regional streamflow

Nearby streamflow levels

Cross-check Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Near Cullowhee'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 Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Near Cullowhee. Spring snowmelt is the dominant driver of streamflow in mountain basins -- a deep snowpack upstream means more runoff later in the season.

SNOTEL stationSnowpack
Bryson City 4 0 in
Brevard 0 in
Dillard 0.7 Nnw 0 in
New Found Gap 10 in
Germany Valley 0 in
Gatlinburg 0 in
Nearby recreation

Plan a trip

Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Near Cullowhee.

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 Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Near Cullowhee in the Snoflo app

Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Near Cullowhee crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.

FAQ

About Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Near Cullowhee

Where does the streamflow data for Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Near Cullowhee come from?

Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 03508050. 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 Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Near Cullowhee 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.