Little Tennessee River Flow Today
As of October 2, 2026 at 3:15 AM, the Little Tennessee River is flowing at 236 cfs at Needmore, NC — 68% of normal for the date and down 6% in 24 hours. 2 of 2 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 87 to 236 cfs. ❤ Favorite
Little Tennessee River map
See the Little Tennessee River on a live map
Every gauge, dam and paddle run on the river, one tap each:
- Gauges now — which reaches are high or low
- Dams & paddle runs — storage and what’s in range
- Rain — past 24 hrs and the 72-hr forecast, press play
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Little Tennessee River conditions today
Where the river is running versus normal, what’s rising or dropping, and what it means for a trip — built from the live USGS readings below.
At Needmore, the Little Tennessee River is running 236 cfs — 68% of normal, down 6% since yesterday. Along the river, 2 of 2 reporting gauges are below normal (the typical gauge is at 64% of normal).
Paddlers: 0 of 1 runs on the Little Tennessee River with a live range are in range, 1 too low.
How the Little Tennessee River compares to normal
Every reporting gauge from the top of the river to the bottom: bar length is today’s flow, colour is percent of normal for the date.
Flow along the river, upstream to downstream
- Prentiss2,012 ft 87 cfs61%
- Needmore1,764 ft 236 cfs68%
Bar length uses a square-root scale so small headwater flows stay visible next to big downstream ones. Colour: <50% 50–90 90–110 110–150 150%+ of normal.
Where every gauge sits
One dot per Little Tennessee River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (64%).
Little Tennessee River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | To flood stage | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Little Tennessee River Near Prentiss NC
Oct 2, 3:30 AM · USGS 03500000 |
87 cfs | 61% | -2% | 1.28 ft | 13.7 ft below | 2,012 ft |
|
Little Tennessee River At Needmore NC
Oct 2, 3:15 AM · USGS 03503000 |
236 cfs | 68% | -6% | 1.83 ft | 9.2 ft below | 1,764 ft |
USGS provisional data. Readings are in each gauge’s local time; gauges silent for more than 3 days are marked “Last reported”. Tap any gauge for its hydrograph, forecast and history.
Paddle runs on the Little Tennessee River
Each run is checked against its runnable range using the gauge it is keyed to (or the nearest gauge on this river).
| Run | Status | Flow now | Runnable range | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natahala Powerhouse To Lake Fontana (River Mile 4) Gauge: Needmore |
Too low | 236 cfs | 437–2,208 cfs typical | II–III |
Dams & reservoirs on the Little Tennessee River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
Little Tennessee River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.
Maximum streamflow by year
Little Tennessee River
The Little Tennessee River flows through the Appalachian Mountains and is approximately 135 miles long. Historically, it was an important trade route for Native Americans and European settlers. The river is home to several fish species, including the endangered Appalachian elktoe mussel. The river is dammed at several points including Fontana Dam, which creates Fontana Lake, and Cheoah Dam, which creates Cheoah Lake. These reservoirs are used for hydroelectric power generation and flood control. The Little Tennessee River is also a popular destination for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and swimming. The surrounding land is used for agriculture, including cattle farming and tobacco production.
Fishing near the Little Tennessee River
About the Little Tennessee River
How is the Little Tennessee River flowing right now?
As of October 2, 2026, the Little Tennessee River is flowing at 236 cfs at Needmore, NC, about 68% of normal for the date. Across its 2 USGS gauges, current flows range from 87 to 236 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Little Tennessee River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the Little Tennessee River is at 64% of normal for the date. Above 100% means higher than the historical average for this calendar day; below 100% means lower. The profile above shows which reaches are high or low.
What is flood stage on the Little Tennessee River?
The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Prentiss (15.0 ft), Needmore (11.0 ft). The table shows how far each gauge is below its flood stage right now.
Is the Little Tennessee River runnable for paddling today?
Each run in the paddle table is checked against its runnable range using its gauge's live flow.
Where does the data come from?
Discharge and gage height are from the USGS National Water Information System; flood stages from the National Weather Service. The history chart sums every monitored gauge on the river.
Can I get alerts for a gauge?
Yes — open any gauge from the table, favorite it in the Snoflo app and set a flow threshold.