FRENCH BROAD RIVER

RIVER LEVELS
December 25, 2024
35.14, -82.81


TOTAL RIVER DISCHARGE

Total streamflow across the French Broad River was last observed at 8,401 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 16,663 acre-ft of water today; about 31% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 26,914 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2024-09-29 when daily discharge volume was observed at 228,100 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the French Broad River At Hot Springs reporting a streamflow rate of 1,780 cfs. However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the French Broad River At Blantyre with a gauge stage of 6.92 ft. This river is monitored from 7 different streamgauging stations along the French Broad River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 2,179 ft, the French Broad River At Rosman.

The French Broad River is a 218-mile long river that flows from Western North Carolina to East Tennessee. The river was named by early European settlers who found it to be a wide and free-flowing river. The river has a rich history, serving as a major transportation route for Native Americans and European settlers. The hydrology of the river is complex, with many tributaries contributing to its flow. The river supports several reservoirs and dams, including the Douglas Dam and the Asheville Reservoir. These reservoirs provide drinking water and hydroelectric power for the surrounding areas. The French Broad River is also a popular recreational spot, with activities like fishing, kayaking, and tubing. The river is also used for agricultural purposes, with farms in the surrounding areas using the river for irrigation.

Last Updated 2024-12-25
Discharge Volume 16,663 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 8,401.0 cfs
-250.0 cfs (-2.89%)
Percent of Normal 31.21%
Maximum 228,100.0 cfs
2024-09-29
Seasonal Avg 26,914 cfs

YEAR OVER YEAR DISCHARGE (CFS)

Streamflow Conditions
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
French Broad River At Rosman
USGS 03439000
147 cfs 2.52 ft -2
French Broad River At Blantyre
USGS 03443000
684 cfs 6.92 ft -3.8
French Broad River Near Fletcher
USGS 03447687
1170 cfs 4.93 ft -3.31
French Broad River At Asheville
USGS 03451500
1380 cfs 1.88 ft -2.13
French Broad River At Marshall
USGS 03453500
1540 cfs 1.89 ft -2.53
French Broad River At Hot Springs
USGS 03454500
1780 cfs 3.02 ft -2.73
French Broad River Near Newport
USGS 03455000
1700 cfs 2.78 ft -3.41
History of the River

The French Broad River flows 218 miles (351 km) from near the town of
Rosman in Transylvania County, North Carolina, into the state of Tennessee. Its confluence with the Holston River at Knoxville is the beginning of the Tennessee River. The river flows through the counties of Transylvania, Buncombe, Henderson, and Madison in North Carolina, and Cocke, Jefferson, Sevier, and Knox in Tennessee, and drains large portions of the Pisgah National Forest and the Cherokee National Forest.

       

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