Pacolet River Flow Today
As of October 12, 2026 at 2:45 AM, the Pacolet River is flowing at 3,970 cfs near Cowpens, SC and up 10% in 24 hours. 2 of 2 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 2,530 to 3,970 cfs. ❤ Favorite
Pacolet River map
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
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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 3,970 cfs, up 10% since yesterday.
In the last 24 hours the river is dropping at Fingerville (-20%).
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
- Fingerville747 ft 2,530 cfs
- Cowpens697 ft 3,970 cfs
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.
Pacolet River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | To flood stage | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Pacolet River Near Fingerville SC
Oct 12, 3:15 AM · USGS 02155500 |
2,530 cfs | · | -20% | 9.62 ft | 15.4 ft below | 747 ft |
|
Pacolet River Below Lake Blalock Near Cowpens SC
Oct 12, 2:45 AM · USGS 021556525 |
3,970 cfs | · | +10% | 7.29 ft | 6.7 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.
Dams & reservoirs on the Pacolet River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
Pacolet River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.
Maximum streamflow by year
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.
Fishing near the Pacolet River
About the Pacolet River
How is the Pacolet River flowing right now?
As of October 12, 2026, the Pacolet River is flowing at 3,970 cfs near Cowpens, SC. Across its 2 USGS gauges, current flows range from 2,530 to 3,970 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Pacolet River running high or low?
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.