Valley River At Tomotla flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Valley River At Tomotla is flowing at 519 cfs with a gage height of 3.18 ft, rising 160% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #03550000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Valley River At Tomotla at a glance
How Valley River At Tomotla is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Valley River At Tomotla is flowing at 519 cfs, with the water sitting 3.18 ft at the gage. Flow is up 160% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.
This is USGS gauge #03550000 in North Carolina. Over the past 10 days the average has been 129 cfs, peaking at 519 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Valley River At Tomotla is expected to recede from today's 200 cfs, toward roughly 178 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 100-318 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.
Valley River At Tomotla
The river's watershed covers an area of 279 square miles and is fed by several tributaries, including the Hiwassee River and Tusquittee Creek. The river has a seasonal trend, with higher flows in the spring due to snowmelt and rainfall, and lower flows in the summer and fall. The river has a dam at the Hiwassee Reservoir, which can affect the river's flow. Interestingly, the Valley River is home to several endangered species, including the Appalachian elktoe mussel and the spotfin chub. The streamgauge provides important data for understanding the hydrology of the river and managing its resources.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Valley River At Tomotla's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Valley River At Tomotla | 519 cfs |
| Nantahala River Near Rainbow Springs | 477 cfs |
| Nottely River Near Blairsville | 68 cfs |
| Cheoah River Nr Bearpen Gap Nr Tapoco | 211 cfs |
| Tellico River At Tellico Plains | 139 cfs |
| Ocoee River At Copperhill | 259 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Valley River At Tomotla. 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 |
|---|---|
| Germany Valley | 0 in |
| Dillard 0.7 Nnw | 0 in |
| Sautee 3.5 Sw | 0 in |
| Bryson City 4 | 0 in |
| Dahlonega | 0 in |
| New Found Gap | 12 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Valley River At Tomotla.
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 Valley River At Tomotla in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Valley River At Tomotla crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Valley River At Tomotla
Where does the streamflow data for Valley River At Tomotla come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 03550000. 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 Valley River At Tomotla 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 Valley River At Tomotla report
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