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River report

Lumber River Flow Today

As of November 12, 2026 at 1:45 AM, the Lumber River is flowing at 214 cfs at Lumberton, NC — 65% of normal for the date and up 26% in 24 hours. 3 of 3 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 155 to 214 cfs. ❤ Favorite

USGS gauges
3 3 reporting · upstream → down
Lumber River Near Maxton: 88% of normalLumber River At Lumberton: 65% of normalLumber River At Boardman: 43% of normal
Typical gauge
65% of normal for the date
0%normal200%
Biggest flow now
214cfs Lumberton
Updated
Nov 12, 1:45 AM
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River briefing · Nov 12, 2026

Lumber 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 Lumberton, the Lumber River is running 214 cfs — 65% of normal, up 26% since yesterday. Along the river, 3 of 3 reporting gauges are below normal (the typical gauge is at 65% of normal).

In the last 24 hours the river is rising at Lumberton (+26%); dropping at Maxton (-14%).

Highest against normal: Maxton at 88%. Lowest: Boardman at 43%.

Headwaters to mouth

How the Lumber 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

  1. Maxton183 ft 155 cfs88%
  2. Lumberton120 ft 214 cfs65%
  3. Boardman78 ft 161 cfs43%

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 Lumber River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (65%).

Typical gauge 65%
0%50%100% · normal150%200%+
Much below normal1Below normal2Near normal0Above normal0Much above normal0

Lumber River flow report

3 gauges
Streamgage Streamflow % of normal 24h Gage height To flood stage Elevation
Lumber River Near Maxton NC
Nov 12, 2:00 AM · USGS 02133624
155 cfs 88% -14% 7.13 ft · 183 ft
Lumber River At Lumberton NC
Nov 12, 1:45 AM · USGS 02134170
214 cfs 65% +26% 7.61 ft 5.4 ft below 120 ft
Lumber River At Boardman NC
Nov 12, 2:00 AM · USGS 02134500
161 cfs 43% +6% 2.09 ft · 78 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.

Upstream storage

Dams & reservoirs on the Lumber River

Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.

History

Lumber River streamflow over time

Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.

Maximum streamflow by year

About this river

Lumber River

The Lumber River is a 133-mile-long river located in southeastern North Carolina. It is historically significant as it was a major transportation route for the Lumbee Indian tribe and was also used for logging during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The river is also known for its unique hydrology, as it is one of the few blackwater rivers in the world, meaning that its water is darkly stained due to the presence of tannins. There are several reservoirs and dams located along the river, including the Blewett Falls Lake and the Lumber River State Park. These reservoirs provide a source of hydroelectric power and are also used for recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and hiking. Additionally, the river is a valuable resource for agriculture, as it provides water for irrigation and supports agricultural activities in the surrounding areas.

Around the river

Fishing near the Lumber River

FAQ

About the Lumber River

How is the Lumber River flowing right now?

As of November 12, 2026, the Lumber River is flowing at 214 cfs at Lumberton, NC, about 65% of normal for the date. Across its 3 USGS gauges, current flows range from 155 to 214 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.

Is the Lumber River running high or low?

The typical gauge on the Lumber River is at 65% 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 Lumber River?

The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Lumberton (13.0 ft), . The table shows how far each gauge is below its flood stage right now.

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.

More river levels

Rivers in North Carolina

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