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River report

Rocky River Flow Today

As of October 29, 2026 at 3:45 AM, the Rocky River is flowing at 128 cfs near Norwood, NC — 79% of normal for the date. 4 of 6 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 16 to 128 cfs. ❤ Favorite

USGS gauges
6 4 reporting · upstream → down
Rocky River Near Berea Oh: 43% of normalRocky River Near Starr: 34% of normalRocky River Above Irish Buffalo Creek Near Rocky River: 70% of normalRocky River Near Norwood: 79% of normal
Typical gauge
57% of normal for the date
0%normal200%
Biggest flow now
128cfs Norwood
Updated
Oct 29, 3:45 AM
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River briefing · Oct 29, 2026

Rocky 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 Norwood, the Rocky River is running 128 cfs — 79% of normal. Along the river, 4 of 4 reporting gauges are below normal (the typical gauge is at 57% of normal).

Highest against normal: Norwood at 79%. Lowest: Starr at 34%.

Headwaters to mouth

How the Rocky 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. Berea Oh649 ft 55 cfs43%
  2. Starr578 ft 16 cfs34%
  3. Rocky River497 ft 46 cfs70%
  4. Norwood214 ft 128 cfs79%

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 Rocky River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (57%).

Typical gauge 57%
0%50%100% · normal150%200%+
Much below normal2Below normal2Near normal0Above normal0Much above normal0

Rocky River flow report

6 gauges
Streamgage Streamflow % of normal 24h Gage height To flood stage Elevation
Rocky River Near Berea Oh OH
Oct 29, 4:00 AM · USGS 04201500
55 cfs 43% +1% 5.35 ft 8.7 ft below 649 ft
Rocky River At Sr1300 Near Crutchfield Crossroads NC
Last reported Sep 9 · USGS 0210166029
42 cfs · · 3.56 ft · 614 ft
Rocky River Near Starr SC
Oct 29, 4:00 AM · USGS 02187910
16 cfs 34% +9% 2.84 ft 17.2 ft below 578 ft
Rocky River Above Irish Buffalo Creek Near Rocky River NC
Oct 29, 3:15 AM · USGS 0212433550
46 cfs 70% -5% 1.03 ft 15.5 ft below 497 ft
Rocky River Near Stanfield NC
Last reported Sep 30 · USGS 02124742
173 cfs · · 1.73 ft · 421 ft
Rocky River Near Norwood NC
Oct 29, 3:45 AM · USGS 02126000
128 cfs 79% 0% 3.86 ft 16.1 ft below 214 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

Rocky River streamflow over time

Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.

Maximum streamflow by year

About this river

Rocky River

The Rocky River is a tributary of the Yadkin River in North Carolina, spanning 90 miles from its headwaters in the Uwharrie Mountains to the confluence with the Yadkin. The river was historically used for transportation and power, with mills and factories along its banks. Today, the river is primarily used for recreation, with popular activities including fishing, kayaking, and hiking along the Riverwalk trail. The river is fed by several small tributaries and is home to several species of fish, including largemouth bass, bluegill, and catfish. The river is also home to several reservoirs, including Falls Reservoir and Lake Norman, which serve as sources of hydroelectric power and drinking water for nearby communities. The river and its ecosystem are protected by various organizations, including the Rocky River Heritage Foundation and the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission.

FAQ

About the Rocky River

How is the Rocky River flowing right now?

As of October 29, 2026, the Rocky River is flowing at 128 cfs near Norwood, NC, about 79% of normal for the date. Across its 6 USGS gauges, current flows range from 16 to 128 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.

Is the Rocky River running high or low?

The typical gauge on the Rocky River is at 57% 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 Rocky River?

The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Berea Oh (14.0 ft), Starr (20.0 ft), Rocky River (16.5 ft), Norwood (20.0 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 Ohio & North Carolina & South Carolina