Summary
Total streamflow across the
Tuckasegee River
was last observed at
1,798
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
3,566
acre-ft of water today; about 64%
of normal.
River levels are low and may signify a drought.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
2,788 cfs,
with recent peaks last observed
on
2022-05-27 when daily discharge volume was observed at
43,830 cfs.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
Tuckasegee River At Bryson City
reporting a streamflow rate of 1,250 cfs.
However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the
Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Nr Cullowhee
with a gauge stage of 4.4 ft.
This river is monitored from 3 different streamgauging stations along the Tuckasegee River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 2,116 ft, the
Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Nr Cullowhee.
River Details
| Last Updated | 2025-12-04 |
| Discharge Volume | 3,566 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
1,798.0 cfs
-550.0 cfs (-23.42%) |
| Percent of Normal | 64.48% |
| Maximum |
43,830.0 cfs
2022-05-27 |
| Seasonal Avg | 2,788 cfs |
River Streamflow Levels
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Nr Cullowhee
USGS 03508050 |
142 cfs | 4.4 ft | 3.65 | |||||
|
Tuckasegee River At Barker's Creek
USGS 03510577 |
406 cfs | 3.57 ft | -24.95 | |||||
|
Tuckasegee River At Bryson City
USGS 03513000 |
1250 cfs | 2.56 ft | -25.15 |
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile
The Tuckasegee River (variant spellings include Tuckaseegee and Tuckaseigee) flows entirely within western North Carolina. It begins its course in Jackson County above Cullowhee at the confluence of Panthertown and Greenland creeks. It flows in a northwesterly direction into Swain County where it joins the Oconaluftee before heading through the center of Bryson City, North Carolina. The river passes around the Bryson City Island Park, where it then enters Fontana Lake and then the Little Tennessee River.
The name Tuckasegee may be an anglicisation of the Cherokee language word daksiyi—[takhšiyi] in the local Cherokee variety—'Turtle Place.' The river is dotted with stone fishing weirs built by Native Americans; this practice may have preceded the Cherokee in the area. The weirs are most easily viewed when water levels are low.Fishing, hiking and paddling are among the recreational opportunities along the river.