Advertisement
River report

Pacolet River Flow Today

As of November 1, 2026 at 2:45 AM, the Pacolet River is flowing at 94 cfs near Cowpens, SC — 36% 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 64 to 94 cfs. ❤ Favorite

USGS gauges
2 2 reporting · upstream → down
Pacolet River Near Fingerville: 39% of normalPacolet River Below Lake Blalock Near Cowpens: 36% of normal
Typical gauge
38% of normal for the date
0%normal200%
Biggest flow now
94cfs Cowpens
Updated
Nov 1, 2:45 AM
Live river map

Pacolet River map

Open full map →
Premium

See the Pacolet 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

✓ Free for 7 days  ·  ✓ Cancel anytime

River briefing · Nov 1, 2026

Pacolet 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 Cowpens, the Pacolet River is running 94 cfs — 36% of normal, down 6% since yesterday. Along the river, 2 of 2 reporting gauges are below normal (the typical gauge is at 38% of normal).

In the last 24 hours the river is rising at Fingerville (+52%).

Headwaters to mouth

How the Pacolet 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. Fingerville747 ft 64 cfs39%
  2. Cowpens697 ft 94 cfs36%

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 Pacolet River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (38%).

Typical gauge 38%
0%50%100% · normal150%200%+
Much below normal2Below normal0Near normal0Above normal0Much above normal0

Pacolet River flow report

2 gauges
Streamgage Streamflow % of normal 24h Gage height To flood stage Elevation
Pacolet River Near Fingerville SC
Nov 1, 2:15 AM · USGS 02155500
64 cfs 39% +52% 6.79 ft 18.2 ft below 747 ft
Pacolet River Below Lake Blalock Near Cowpens SC
Nov 1, 2:45 AM · USGS 021556525
94 cfs 36% -6% 1.81 ft 12.2 ft below 697 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.

History

Pacolet River streamflow over time

Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.

Maximum streamflow by year

About this river

Pacolet River

The Pacolet River is a 70-mile-long river that runs through the upstate of South Carolina and western North Carolina. It is a tributary of the Broad River and was once used for transportation of goods and hydropower. Today, the river is a popular spot for recreational activities such as fishing, kayaking, and hiking along its banks. There are several reservoirs and dams along the river, including Lake Bowen, Lake Blalock, and the Pacolet Dam, which provide hydroelectric power and water for irrigation. The river also has a rich agricultural history, with many farms and plantations located along its banks. The Pacolet River is an important natural resource for the region, providing both economic and recreational opportunities for local communities.

Around the river

Fishing near the Pacolet River

FAQ

About the Pacolet River

How is the Pacolet River flowing right now?

As of November 1, 2026, the Pacolet River is flowing at 94 cfs near Cowpens, SC, about 36% of normal for the date. Across its 2 USGS gauges, current flows range from 64 to 94 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.

Is the Pacolet River running high or low?

The typical gauge on the Pacolet River is at 38% 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 Pacolet River?

The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Fingerville (25.0 ft), Cowpens (14.0 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 South Carolina