« Back to High Rock Lake Rivers

Oconaluftee River below Contesky Dr, in Birdtown

Critical Stages
8' - Action
10' - Flood
12' - Moderate
13' - Major

Latest Observation

Updated: 3:00 AM EST 12/15/25

Status: No Flooding

Stage: 1.42 ft

Flow: 0.293 kcfs

Forecast

Forecast not available for this location.

TimeStage (ft)Flow (kcfs)
3:00 AM 12/15 1.42 0.293
2:45 AM 12/15 1.42 0.293
2:30 AM 12/15 1.42 0.293
2:15 AM 12/15 1.42 0.293
2:00 AM 12/15 1.42 0.293
1:45 AM 12/15 1.42 0.293
1:30 AM 12/15 1.42 0.293
1:15 AM 12/15 1.42 0.293
1:00 AM 12/15 1.42 0.293
12:45 AM 12/15 1.42 0.293
12:30 AM 12/15 1.42 0.293
12:15 AM 12/15 1.42 0.293
12:00 AM 12/15 1.43 0.298
11:45 PM 12/14 1.43 0.298
11:30 PM 12/14 1.43 0.298
11:15 PM 12/14 1.43 0.298
11:00 PM 12/14 1.43 0.298
10:45 PM 12/14 1.43 0.298
10:30 PM 12/14 1.43 0.298
10:15 PM 12/14 1.44 0.302
10:00 PM 12/14 1.44 0.302
9:45 PM 12/14 1.44 0.302
9:30 PM 12/14 1.44 0.302
9:15 PM 12/14 1.44 0.302
9:00 PM 12/14 1.44 0.302
8:45 PM 12/14 1.44 0.302
8:30 PM 12/14 1.44 0.302
8:15 PM 12/14 1.44 0.302
8:00 PM 12/14 1.44 0.302
7:45 PM 12/14 1.44 0.302
Hydrograph for Oconaluftee River below Contesky Dr, in Birdtown
18' - Record flooding will be observed.
17' - Expect most stores, motels, and other businesses in Birdtown and Cherokee, as well as parts of Highways 19a and 441, to be flooded.
15' - Many buildings will likely be flooded in Birdtown between McCoy Branch Rd. and Adams Creek Rd.
13' - Businesses and hotels in Birdtown and Cherokee may begin to flood.
12' - Some homes along the river near Cherokee and Birdtown may begin to flood. Parts of Highway 19A may also be covered with water.
11.5' - Water approaches US 19 just west of Goose Creek Rd.
10' - Parts of Old Highway 4 near Keener Road may be flooded and buildings near Cline and Haiger Streets may start to get water in them. Floodwater levels will be similar to the levels that occurred on May 6, 2003.
9' - Water will approach the water treatment plant on Old Highway Number 4. Water will approach residential yards on Highway 19 between Adams Creek and McCoy Branch Rd.
8' - Flooding will be likely upstream along the Oconaluftee River in the Yellow Hill community especially along White Water Drive.
3.5' - 3.5 inch in headwaters in 12 hrs caused the river to rise from 1.83 ft to 7.71 ft
2.5' - 2.5 to 3.0 basin avg in 8 hr in headwaters will cause a 6 ft rise on river.
1.1' - 1.25 basin average in 5 hours in headwaters caused a 2.3 ft rise.
DateStage (ft)
Nov 19, 1906 18
Mar 27, 1913 14.5
Dec 30, 1969 12.46
Mar 16, 1973 12.29
Jan 7, 1946 12
Mar 6, 1963 11.9
Mar 26, 1965 11.47
Mar 17, 1990 10.71
Jan 21, 1959 10.69
Feb 13, 1966 10.67
Mar 28, 1994 10.62
Mar 12, 1963 10.53
Apr 4, 1977 10.42
May 6, 2003 10.38
Apr 7, 1964 10.24
Sep 27, 2024 10.18
Jan 31, 1957 10.1
Mar 5, 1964 9.9
Feb 21, 1953 9.9
Dec 12, 1961 9.87

Data provided by the National Weather Service.