Broad River Below Cherokee Falls flow report
As of July 15, 2026, Broad River Below Cherokee Falls is flowing at 1,220 cfs with a gage height of 26.69 ft, rising 97% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #02153551, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Broad River Below Cherokee Falls at a glance
How Broad River Below Cherokee Falls is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Broad River Below Cherokee Falls is flowing at 1,220 cfs, with the water sitting 26.69 ft at the gage. Flow is up 97% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.
This is USGS gauge #02153551 in South Carolina. Over the past 10 days the average has been 532 cfs, peaking at 1,220 cfs.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the South Carolina flow report.
Streamflow Forecast
Over the next 5 days, Broad River Below Cherokee Falls is expected to hold near today's 618 cfs, toward roughly 646 cfs by 2026-07-19 (likely range 323-1292 cfs) -- running well below the seasonal normal.
Powered by PULSE — Snoflo’s forecast engine, trained on this gauge’s full record of storms, snowmelt, and dry spells.
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.
Broad River Below Cherokee Falls
The stream gauge measures the flow rate of the river, which is influenced by various factors such as precipitation, tributaries, and dams. Tributaries that contribute to the flow of the river include the Pacolet River and the Tyger River. Some of the dams that affect the flow rate of the river include the Parr Reservoir Dam and the Lake Monticello Dam. Seasonal trends show an increase in flow rate during the spring and summer months due to increased precipitation. Interestingly, the Broad River is home to diverse species of fish, including the endangered Carolina Heelsplitter mussel.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Broad River Below Cherokee Falls's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Broad River Below Cherokee Falls | 1,220 cfs |
| Broad River Near Gaffney | 1,890 cfs |
| Broad River Near Blacksburg | 1,650 cfs |
| Broad River Near Boiling Springs | 968 cfs |
| Pacolet River Below Lake Blalock Near Cowpens | 96 cfs |
| Lawsons Fork Creek At Spartanburg Sc | 35 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Broad River Below Cherokee Falls. 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 |
|---|---|
| Chesnee 7 Wsw | 0 in |
| Casar | 0 in |
| Catawba | 0 in |
| Clinton | 0 in |
| Fountain Inn 2 Sw | 0 in |
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 Broad River Below Cherokee Falls in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Broad River Below Cherokee Falls crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Broad River Below Cherokee Falls
Where does the streamflow data for Broad River Below Cherokee Falls come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 02153551. 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 Broad River Below Cherokee Falls 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 Broad River Below Cherokee Falls 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
- Save favorites — every river, lake & snowpack in one place
- Full history & forecasts — plus the free iPhone app