CAPE FEAR RIVER AT LILLINGTON, NC
USGS 02102500 · North Carolina · reports discharge (live), gauge height
Reading CAPE FEAR RIVER AT LILLINGTON, NC…
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USGS 02102500 · North Carolina · reports discharge (live), gauge height
What the agencies suggest
Approach the stream carefully and with a low profileIowa Department of Natural Resources
Fishing upstream will usually spook fewer fish than working downstreamIowa Department of Natural Resources
Deep pools and undercut banks provide refuge during sunny days and low waterMinnesota Department of Natural Resources
General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.
Reading Nov 5, 8:15 PM EST · provisional USGS data
Lowest for this date on record for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 169 readings from Oct 29, 9:15 PM EDT to Nov 5, 8:15 PM EST; ranging 236 to 324 ft³/s; latest 258 ft³/s; shaded band: typical range (25th–75th percentile) for each date.
USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.
| Time | Discharge (ft³/s) | Gauge height (ft) | Normal, 25th–75th (ft³/s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 8:15 PM EST | 258 | 1.79 | 590–1,220 |
| Nov 5, 7:15 PM EST | 263 | 1.8 | 590–1,220 |
| Nov 5, 6:15 PM EST | 258 | 1.79 | 590–1,220 |
| Nov 5, 5:15 PM EST | 258 | 1.79 | 590–1,220 |
| Nov 5, 4:15 PM EST | 258 | 1.79 | 590–1,220 |
| Nov 5, 3:15 PM EST | 258 | 1.79 | 590–1,220 |
| Nov 5, 2:15 PM EST | 263 | 1.8 | 590–1,220 |
| Nov 5, 1:15 PM EST | 263 | 1.8 | 590–1,220 |
| Nov 5, 12:15 PM EST | 258 | 1.79 | 590–1,220 |
| Nov 5, 11:15 AM EST | 258 | 1.79 | 590–1,220 |
| Nov 5, 10:15 AM EST | 253 | 1.78 | 590–1,220 |
| Nov 5, 9:15 AM EST | 253 | 1.78 | 590–1,220 |
| Nov 5, 8:15 AM EST | 253 | 1.78 | 590–1,220 |
| Nov 5, 7:15 AM EST | 249 | 1.77 | 590–1,220 |
| Nov 5, 6:15 AM EST | 245 | 1.76 | 590–1,220 |
| Nov 5, 5:15 AM EST | 245 | 1.76 | 590–1,220 |
| Nov 5, 4:15 AM EST | 245 | 1.76 | 590–1,220 |
| Nov 5, 3:15 AM EST | 245 | 1.76 | 590–1,220 |
| Nov 5, 2:15 AM EST | 245 | 1.76 | 590–1,220 |
| Nov 5, 1:15 AM EST | 245 | 1.76 | 590–1,220 |
| Nov 5, 12:15 AM EST | 245 | 1.76 | 590–1,220 |
| Nov 4, 11:15 PM EST | 240 | 1.75 | 584–1,170 |
| Nov 4, 10:15 PM EST | 245 | 1.76 | 584–1,170 |
| Nov 4, 9:15 PM EST | 245 | 1.76 | 584–1,170 |
| Nov 4, 8:15 PM EST | 245 | 1.76 | 584–1,170 |
| Nov 4, 7:15 PM EST | 245 | 1.76 | 584–1,170 |
| Nov 4, 6:15 PM EST | 245 | 1.76 | 584–1,170 |
| Nov 4, 5:15 PM EST | 245 | 1.76 | 584–1,170 |
| Nov 4, 4:15 PM EST | 249 | 1.77 | 584–1,170 |
| Nov 4, 3:15 PM EST | 249 | 1.77 | 584–1,170 |
| Nov 4, 2:15 PM EST | 253 | 1.78 | 584–1,170 |
| Nov 4, 1:15 PM EST | 253 | 1.78 | 584–1,170 |
| Nov 4, 12:15 PM EST | 253 | 1.78 | 584–1,170 |
| Nov 4, 11:15 AM EST | 253 | 1.78 | 584–1,170 |
| Nov 4, 10:15 AM EST | 249 | 1.77 | 584–1,170 |
| Nov 4, 9:15 AM EST | 249 | 1.77 | 584–1,170 |
| Nov 4, 8:15 AM EST | 249 | 1.77 | 584–1,170 |
| Nov 4, 7:15 AM EST | 245 | 1.76 | 584–1,170 |
| Nov 4, 6:15 AM EST | 240 | 1.75 | 584–1,170 |
| Nov 4, 5:15 AM EST | 240 | 1.75 | 584–1,170 |
| Nov 4, 4:15 AM EST | 245 | 1.76 | 584–1,170 |
| Nov 4, 3:15 AM EST | 249 | 1.77 | 584–1,170 |
| Nov 4, 2:15 AM EST | 253 | 1.78 | 584–1,170 |
| Nov 4, 1:15 AM EST | 258 | 1.79 | 584–1,170 |
| Nov 4, 12:15 AM EST | 258 | 1.79 | 584–1,170 |
| Nov 3, 11:15 PM EST | 258 | 1.79 | 579–1,360 |
| Nov 3, 10:15 PM EST | 258 | 1.79 | 579–1,360 |
| Nov 3, 9:15 PM EST | 267 | 1.81 | 579–1,360 |
| Nov 3, 8:15 PM EST | 263 | 1.8 | 579–1,360 |
| Nov 3, 7:15 PM EST | 263 | 1.8 | 579–1,360 |
| Nov 3, 6:15 PM EST | 263 | 1.8 | 579–1,360 |
| Nov 3, 5:15 PM EST | 263 | 1.8 | 579–1,360 |
| Nov 3, 4:15 PM EST | 258 | 1.79 | 579–1,360 |
| Nov 3, 3:15 PM EST | 267 | 1.81 | 579–1,360 |
| Nov 3, 2:15 PM EST | 272 | 1.82 | 579–1,360 |
| Nov 3, 1:15 PM EST | 258 | 1.79 | 579–1,360 |
| Nov 3, 12:15 PM EST | 267 | 1.81 | 579–1,360 |
| Nov 3, 11:15 AM EST | 272 | 1.82 | 579–1,360 |
| Nov 3, 10:15 AM EST | 267 | 1.81 | 579–1,360 |
| Nov 3, 9:15 AM EST | 267 | 1.81 | 579–1,360 |
| Nov 3, 8:15 AM EST | 267 | 1.81 | 579–1,360 |
| Nov 3, 7:15 AM EST | 263 | 1.8 | 579–1,360 |
| Nov 3, 6:15 AM EST | 263 | 1.8 | 579–1,360 |
| Nov 3, 5:15 AM EST | 258 | 1.79 | 579–1,360 |
| Nov 3, 4:15 AM EST | 258 | 1.79 | 579–1,360 |
| Nov 3, 3:15 AM EST | 258 | 1.79 | 579–1,360 |
| Nov 3, 2:15 AM EST | 263 | 1.8 | 579–1,360 |
| Nov 3, 1:15 AM EST | 258 | 1.79 | 579–1,360 |
| Nov 3, 12:15 AM EST | 263 | 1.8 | 579–1,360 |
| Nov 2, 11:15 PM EST | 263 | 1.8 | 578–1,160 |
| Nov 2, 10:15 PM EST | 263 | 1.8 | 578–1,160 |
| Nov 2, 9:15 PM EST | 263 | 1.8 | 578–1,160 |
| Nov 2, 8:15 PM EST | 267 | 1.81 | 578–1,160 |
| Nov 2, 7:15 PM EST | 272 | 1.82 | 578–1,160 |
| Nov 2, 6:15 PM EST | 272 | 1.82 | 578–1,160 |
| Nov 2, 5:15 PM EST | 276 | 1.83 | 578–1,160 |
| Nov 2, 4:15 PM EST | 286 | 1.85 | 578–1,160 |
| Nov 2, 3:15 PM EST | 295 | 1.87 | 578–1,160 |
| Nov 2, 2:15 PM EST | 290 | 1.86 | 578–1,160 |
| Nov 2, 1:15 PM EST | 290 | 1.86 | 578–1,160 |
| Nov 2, 12:15 PM EST | 290 | 1.86 | 578–1,160 |
| Nov 2, 11:15 AM EST | 281 | 1.84 | 578–1,160 |
| Nov 2, 10:15 AM EST | 276 | 1.83 | 578–1,160 |
| Nov 2, 9:15 AM EST | 272 | 1.82 | 578–1,160 |
| Nov 2, 8:15 AM EST | 258 | 1.79 | 578–1,160 |
| Nov 2, 7:15 AM EST | 249 | 1.77 | 578–1,160 |
| Nov 2, 6:15 AM EST | 245 | 1.76 | 578–1,160 |
| Nov 2, 5:15 AM EST | 240 | 1.75 | 578–1,160 |
| Nov 2, 4:15 AM EST | 240 | 1.75 | 578–1,160 |
| Nov 2, 3:15 AM EST | 240 | 1.75 | 578–1,160 |
| Nov 2, 2:15 AM EST | 240 | 1.75 | 578–1,160 |
| Nov 2, 1:15 AM EST | 240 | 1.75 | 578–1,160 |
| Nov 2, 12:15 AM EST | 240 | 1.75 | 578–1,160 |
| Nov 1, 11:15 PM EST | 240 | 1.75 | 560–1,120 |
| Nov 1, 10:15 PM EST | 240 | 1.75 | 560–1,120 |
| Nov 1, 9:15 PM EST | 240 | 1.75 | 560–1,120 |
| Nov 1, 8:15 PM EST | 240 | 1.75 | 560–1,120 |
| Nov 1, 7:15 PM EST | 240 | 1.75 | 560–1,120 |
| Nov 1, 6:15 PM EST | 245 | 1.76 | 560–1,120 |
| Nov 1, 5:15 PM EST | 245 | 1.76 | 560–1,120 |
| Nov 1, 4:15 PM EST | 249 | 1.77 | 560–1,120 |
| Nov 1, 3:15 PM EST | 245 | 1.76 | 560–1,120 |
| Nov 1, 2:15 PM EST | 253 | 1.78 | 560–1,120 |
| Nov 1, 1:15 PM EST | 245 | 1.76 | 560–1,120 |
| Nov 1, 12:15 PM EST | 245 | 1.76 | 560–1,120 |
| Nov 1, 11:15 AM EST | 236 | 1.74 | 560–1,120 |
| Nov 1, 10:15 AM EST | 236 | 1.74 | 560–1,120 |
| Nov 1, 9:15 AM EST | 253 | 1.78 | 560–1,120 |
| Nov 1, 8:15 AM EST | 249 | 1.77 | 560–1,120 |
| Nov 1, 7:15 AM EST | 249 | 1.77 | 560–1,120 |
| Nov 1, 6:15 AM EST | 253 | 1.78 | 560–1,120 |
| Nov 1, 5:15 AM EST | 253 | 1.78 | 560–1,120 |
| Nov 1, 4:15 AM EST | 253 | 1.78 | 560–1,120 |
| Nov 1, 3:15 AM EST | 253 | 1.78 | 560–1,120 |
| Nov 1, 2:15 AM EST | 258 | 1.79 | 560–1,120 |
| Nov 1, 1:15 AM EST | 258 | 1.79 | 560–1,120 |
| Nov 1, 1:15 AM EDT | 258 | 1.79 | 560–1,120 |
| Nov 1, 12:15 AM EDT | 263 | 1.8 | 560–1,120 |
| Oct 31, 11:15 PM EDT | 267 | 1.81 | 572–1,020 |
| Oct 31, 10:15 PM EDT | 272 | 1.82 | 572–1,020 |
| Oct 31, 9:15 PM EDT | 281 | 1.84 | 572–1,020 |
| Oct 31, 8:15 PM EDT | 290 | 1.86 | 572–1,020 |
| Oct 31, 7:15 PM EDT | 295 | 1.87 | 572–1,020 |
| Oct 31, 6:15 PM EDT | 295 | 1.87 | 572–1,020 |
| Oct 31, 5:15 PM EDT | 305 | 1.89 | 572–1,020 |
| Oct 31, 4:15 PM EDT | 305 | 1.89 | 572–1,020 |
| Oct 31, 3:15 PM EDT | 295 | 1.87 | 572–1,020 |
| Oct 31, 2:15 PM EDT | 305 | 1.89 | 572–1,020 |
| Oct 31, 1:15 PM EDT | 300 | 1.88 | 572–1,020 |
| Oct 31, 12:15 PM EDT | 305 | 1.89 | 572–1,020 |
| Oct 31, 11:15 AM EDT | 290 | 1.86 | 572–1,020 |
| Oct 31, 10:15 AM EDT | 305 | 1.89 | 572–1,020 |
| Oct 31, 9:15 AM EDT | 305 | 1.89 | 572–1,020 |
| Oct 31, 8:15 AM EDT | 305 | 1.89 | 572–1,020 |
| Oct 31, 7:15 AM EDT | 309 | 1.9 | 572–1,020 |
| Oct 31, 6:15 AM EDT | 305 | 1.89 | 572–1,020 |
| Oct 31, 5:15 AM EDT | 305 | 1.89 | 572–1,020 |
| Oct 31, 4:15 AM EDT | 305 | 1.89 | 572–1,020 |
| Oct 31, 3:15 AM EDT | 295 | 1.87 | 572–1,020 |
| Oct 31, 2:15 AM EDT | 305 | 1.89 | 572–1,020 |
| Oct 31, 1:15 AM EDT | 314 | 1.91 | 572–1,020 |
| Oct 31, 12:15 AM EDT | 314 | 1.91 | 572–1,020 |
| Oct 30, 11:15 PM EDT | 309 | 1.9 | 561–1,060 |
| Oct 30, 10:15 PM EDT | 319 | 1.92 | 561–1,060 |
| Oct 30, 9:15 PM EDT | 309 | 1.9 | 561–1,060 |
| Oct 30, 8:15 PM EDT | 309 | 1.9 | 561–1,060 |
| Oct 30, 7:15 PM EDT | 309 | 1.9 | 561–1,060 |
| Oct 30, 6:15 PM EDT | 309 | 1.9 | 561–1,060 |
| Oct 30, 5:15 PM EDT | 314 | 1.91 | 561–1,060 |
| Oct 30, 4:15 PM EDT | 314 | 1.91 | 561–1,060 |
| Oct 30, 3:15 PM EDT | 319 | 1.92 | 561–1,060 |
| Oct 30, 2:15 PM EDT | 305 | 1.89 | 561–1,060 |
| Oct 30, 1:15 PM EDT | 309 | 1.9 | 561–1,060 |
| Oct 30, 12:15 PM EDT | 324 | 1.93 | 561–1,060 |
| Oct 30, 11:15 AM EDT | 324 | 1.93 | 561–1,060 |
| Oct 30, 10:15 AM EDT | 324 | 1.93 | 561–1,060 |
| Oct 30, 9:15 AM EDT | 319 | 1.92 | 561–1,060 |
| Oct 30, 8:15 AM EDT | 319 | 1.92 | 561–1,060 |
| Oct 30, 7:15 AM EDT | 319 | 1.92 | 561–1,060 |
| Oct 30, 6:15 AM EDT | 314 | 1.91 | 561–1,060 |
| Oct 30, 5:15 AM EDT | 314 | 1.91 | 561–1,060 |
| Oct 30, 4:15 AM EDT | 314 | 1.91 | 561–1,060 |
| Oct 30, 3:15 AM EDT | 314 | 1.91 | 561–1,060 |
| Oct 30, 2:15 AM EDT | 319 | 1.92 | 561–1,060 |
| Oct 30, 1:15 AM EDT | 314 | 1.91 | 561–1,060 |
| Oct 30, 12:15 AM EDT | 305 | 1.89 | 561–1,060 |
| Oct 29, 11:15 PM EDT | 305 | 1.89 | 525–1,100 |
| Oct 29, 10:15 PM EDT | 300 | 1.88 | 525–1,100 |
| Oct 29, 9:15 PM EDT | 295 | 1.87 | 525–1,100 |
Map of USGS gauge 02102500 and the river around it
Where CAPE FEAR RIVER AT LILLINGTON, NC sits, with 1 other gauge on the same river.
No current water-temperature reading at this gauge, so no temperature guidance is given. Take a stream thermometer. NC Wildlife Resources Commission publishes no water-temperature line for trout anglers that we found. The lines below are the National Park Service's, federal guidance, not a North Carolina rule, with N.C. Cooperative Extension's own figure added: 68°F and 70°F.
Species list not on file for this gauge. Check the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission: North Carolina daily trout stockings · .
Normal for Nov 5: 590–1,220 ft³/s (middle half of 45 years of record). Now: 258 ft³/s, lowest for this date on record.
Lowest for this date on record for this date. 258 ft³/s is below the lowest daily mean recorded on this date of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 45 years of record (1982–2026): 10th 460, 25th 590, median 669, 75th 1,220, 90th 3,480 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 294 ft³/s, highest 12,300 ft³/s.
Classes as USGS labels them (hyswap: flow categories (WDFN_stats schema) (U.S. Geological Survey) ); percentiles from the USGS daily statistics (U.S. Geological Survey) (approved daily means; the reading is provisional and instantaneous).
Steady over 24 hours (+5.3% discharge). Rising or falling means a change of more than 10% in discharge (or 0.2 ft of gauge height) over 24 hours; our rule of thumb, not a USGS class.
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
Flood categories: action stage, minor, moderate and major flooding (National Weather Service)Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.
Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)Guidance from the readings above and the published thresholds named with each line; not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access. Local rules and closures come first.
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
NWS observed 1.79 ft stage, 248 ft³/s at Nov 5, 8:15 PM EST (NWS gauge LLLN7; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
NWS river forecast forecast issued Nov 5, 10:33 AM EST. Highest point: 2.1 ft, 408 ft³/s on Nov 7, 7:00 AM EST (Below NWS action stage).
| Day | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 5 | 1.8 ft | 252 ft³/s |
| Fri, Nov 6 | 2 ft | 350 ft³/s |
| Sat, Nov 7 | 2.1 ft | 408 ft³/s |
| Sun, Nov 8 | 2.1 ft | 408 ft³/s |
| Mon, Nov 9 | 2.1 ft | 408 ft³/s |
| Tue, Nov 10 | 2.1 ft | 408 ft³/s |
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
Checked Nov 5, 8:58 PM EST; readings refresh at most every 15 minutes and statistics daily. Provisional USGS data can be revised. Conditions change: re-check before you go. This is general guidance, not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access.