Tuckasegee River Flow Today
As of October 6, 2026 at 3:15 AM, the Tuckasegee River is flowing at 473 cfs at Bryson City, NC — 84% of normal for the date and down 4% in 24 hours. 3 of 3 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 52 to 473 cfs. ❤ Favorite
Tuckasegee River map
See the Tuckasegee 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
Tuckasegee 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 Bryson City, the Tuckasegee River is running 473 cfs — 84% of normal, down 4% since yesterday. Along the river, 3 of 3 reporting gauges are below normal (the typical gauge is at 67% of normal).
In the last 24 hours the river is dropping at Sr 1172 Near Cullowhee (-90%).
Highest against normal: Bryson City at 84%. Lowest: Sr 1172 Near Cullowhee at 18%.
How the Tuckasegee 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
- Sr 1172 Near Cullowhee2,116 ft 52 cfs18%
- Barker'S Creek1,885 ft 169 cfs67%
- Bryson City1,717 ft 473 cfs84%
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 Tuckasegee River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (67%).
Tuckasegee River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | To flood stage | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Tuckasegee River At Sr 1172 Near Cullowhee NC
Oct 6, 3:15 AM · USGS 03508050 |
52 cfs | 18% | -90% | 3.93 ft | 12.1 ft below | 2,116 ft |
|
Tuckasegee River At Barker'S Creek NC
Oct 6, 3:15 AM · USGS 03510577 |
169 cfs | 67% | -2% | 2.94 ft | 9.1 ft below | 1,885 ft |
|
Tuckasegee River At Bryson City NC
Oct 6, 3:15 AM · USGS 03513000 |
473 cfs | 84% | -4% | 1.76 ft | 8.2 ft below | 1,717 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 Tuckasegee River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
Tuckasegee River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.
Maximum streamflow by year
Tuckasegee River
The Tuckasegee River is an important natural resource in western North Carolina, stretching 50 miles from its headwaters in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to its confluence with the Little Tennessee River. Historically, the river played a significant role in Cherokee culture and served as a source of food and transportation for early settlers. Today, the river supports a variety of recreational activities, including fishing, kayaking, and tubing. The river's hydrology is impacted by several large reservoirs, including Lake Glenville, Bear Creek Lake, and Fontana Lake, which was created by the Fontana Dam, the tallest dam east of the Rocky Mountains. These reservoirs provide hydroelectric power, flood control, and water supply for residents and industries in the region. Additionally, the Tuckasegee River Valley is home to several farms and vineyards, which benefit from the river's fertile soils and abundant water supply.
Fishing near the Tuckasegee River
About the Tuckasegee River
How is the Tuckasegee River flowing right now?
As of October 6, 2026, the Tuckasegee River is flowing at 473 cfs at Bryson City, NC, about 84% of normal for the date. Across its 3 USGS gauges, current flows range from 52 to 473 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Tuckasegee River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the Tuckasegee River is at 67% 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 Tuckasegee River?
The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Sr 1172 Near Cullowhee (16.0 ft), Barker'S Creek (12.0 ft), Bryson City (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.