Oconaluftee River Flow Today
As of October 15, 2026 at 3:00 AM, the Oconaluftee River is flowing at 208 cfs at Birdtown, NC — 87% of normal for the date and down 13% in 24 hours. ❤ Favorite
Oconaluftee River map
See the Oconaluftee 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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Oconaluftee 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 Birdtown, the Oconaluftee River is running 208 cfs — 87% of normal, down 13% since yesterday. Along the river, 1 of 1 reporting gauges are below normal (the typical gauge is at 87% of normal).
In the last 24 hours the river is dropping at Birdtown (-13%).
How the Oconaluftee 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
- Birdtown1,844 ft 208 cfs87%
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 Oconaluftee River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (87%).
Oconaluftee River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | To flood stage | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Oconaluftee River At Birdtown NC
Oct 15, 3:00 AM · USGS 03512000 |
208 cfs | 87% | -13% | 1.30 ft | 8.7 ft below | 1,844 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.
Dams & reservoirs on the Oconaluftee River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
Oconaluftee River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river (this total last updated earlier; the live gauge readings above are current).
Oconaluftee River
The Oconaluftee River is a 50-mile-long river that flows from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina to the Tuckasegee River. The river has a rich history, having served as a vital resource for the Cherokee people for centuries. Today, the river is used for recreational activities such as fishing, kayaking, and tubing. Additionally, the river supplies water to several reservoirs, including the Fontana Dam, which generates hydroelectric power. Another notable dam on the river is the Swain County Dam, which caused controversy due to its impact on the local community. The Oconaluftee River also plays a crucial role in agriculture, providing water for crops and livestock in the surrounding areas. Overall, the river remains an essential resource for both humans and the natural ecosystem.
Fishing near the Oconaluftee River
About the Oconaluftee River
How is the Oconaluftee River flowing right now?
As of October 15, 2026, the Oconaluftee River is flowing at 208 cfs at Birdtown, NC, about 87% of normal for the date. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Oconaluftee River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the Oconaluftee River is at 87% 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 Oconaluftee River?
The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Birdtown (10.0 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.