FRENCH BROAD RIVER AT MARSHALL, NC
USGS 03453500 · North Carolina · reports discharge (live), gauge height
Reading FRENCH BROAD RIVER AT MARSHALL, NC…
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USGS 03453500 · North Carolina · reports discharge (live), gauge height
What the agencies suggest
Stand back from the shoreline and be aware of surroundingsRhode Island Department of Environmental Management
Wading and boating should be avoided if waters are running high and muddy and the streambed is not visiblePennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.
Reading Nov 5, 8:00 PM EST · provisional USGS data
Much above normal for Nov 5 Rising · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 169 readings from Oct 29, 9:15 PM EDT to Nov 5, 8:00 PM EST; ranging 752 to 4,200 ft³/s; latest 4,200 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, 8:00 PM EST | 4,200 | 3.2 | 1,020–2,440 |
| Nov 5, 7:00 PM EST | 4,090 | 3.15 | 1,020–2,440 |
| Nov 5, 6:00 PM EST | 4,090 | 3.15 | 1,020–2,440 |
| Nov 5, 5:00 PM EST | 4,030 | 3.12 | 1,020–2,440 |
| Nov 5, 4:00 PM EST | 4,050 | 3.13 | 1,020–2,440 |
| Nov 5, 3:00 PM EST | 4,050 | 3.13 | 1,020–2,440 |
| Nov 5, 2:00 PM EST | 3,990 | 3.1 | 1,020–2,440 |
| Nov 5, 1:00 PM EST | 3,960 | 3.09 | 1,020–2,440 |
| Nov 5, 12:00 PM EST | 3,940 | 3.08 | 1,020–2,440 |
| Nov 5, 11:00 AM EST | 3,670 | 2.95 | 1,020–2,440 |
| Nov 5, 10:00 AM EST | 3,250 | 2.74 | 1,020–2,440 |
| Nov 5, 9:00 AM EST | 2,600 | 2.43 | 1,020–2,440 |
| Nov 5, 8:00 AM EST | 2,200 | 2.22 | 1,020–2,440 |
| Nov 5, 7:00 AM EST | 2,060 | 2.14 | 1,020–2,440 |
| Nov 5, 6:00 AM EST | 2,000 | 2.11 | 1,020–2,440 |
| Nov 5, 5:00 AM EST | 1,950 | 2.08 | 1,020–2,440 |
| Nov 5, 4:00 AM EST | 1,900 | 2.05 | 1,020–2,440 |
| Nov 5, 3:00 AM EST | 1,740 | 1.95 | 1,020–2,440 |
| Nov 5, 2:00 AM EST | 1,470 | 1.77 | 1,020–2,440 |
| Nov 5, 1:00 AM EST | 1,350 | 1.69 | 1,020–2,440 |
| Nov 5, 12:00 AM EST | 1,180 | 1.56 | 1,020–2,440 |
| Nov 4, 11:00 PM EST | 1,010 | 1.42 | 1,040–2,400 |
| Nov 4, 10:00 PM EST | 964 | 1.38 | 1,040–2,400 |
| Nov 4, 9:00 PM EST | 919 | 1.34 | 1,040–2,400 |
| Nov 4, 8:00 PM EST | 897 | 1.32 | 1,040–2,400 |
| Nov 4, 7:00 PM EST | 865 | 1.29 | 1,040–2,400 |
| Nov 4, 6:00 PM EST | 854 | 1.28 | 1,040–2,400 |
| Nov 4, 5:00 PM EST | 823 | 1.25 | 1,040–2,400 |
| Nov 4, 4:00 PM EST | 802 | 1.23 | 1,040–2,400 |
| Nov 4, 3:00 PM EST | 782 | 1.21 | 1,040–2,400 |
| Nov 4, 2:00 PM EST | 762 | 1.19 | 1,040–2,400 |
| Nov 4, 1:00 PM EST | 762 | 1.19 | 1,040–2,400 |
| Nov 4, 12:00 PM EST | 762 | 1.19 | 1,040–2,400 |
| Nov 4, 11:00 AM EST | 762 | 1.19 | 1,040–2,400 |
| Nov 4, 10:00 AM EST | 762 | 1.19 | 1,040–2,400 |
| Nov 4, 9:00 AM EST | 762 | 1.19 | 1,040–2,400 |
| Nov 4, 8:00 AM EST | 762 | 1.19 | 1,040–2,400 |
| Nov 4, 7:00 AM EST | 772 | 1.2 | 1,040–2,400 |
| Nov 4, 6:00 AM EST | 762 | 1.19 | 1,040–2,400 |
| Nov 4, 5:00 AM EST | 762 | 1.19 | 1,040–2,400 |
| Nov 4, 4:00 AM EST | 762 | 1.19 | 1,040–2,400 |
| Nov 4, 3:00 AM EST | 762 | 1.19 | 1,040–2,400 |
| Nov 4, 2:00 AM EST | 762 | 1.19 | 1,040–2,400 |
| Nov 4, 1:00 AM EST | 762 | 1.19 | 1,040–2,400 |
| Nov 4, 12:00 AM EST | 762 | 1.19 | 1,040–2,400 |
| Nov 3, 11:00 PM EST | 762 | 1.19 | 1,000–2,250 |
| Nov 3, 10:00 PM EST | 762 | 1.19 | 1,000–2,250 |
| Nov 3, 9:00 PM EST | 762 | 1.19 | 1,000–2,250 |
| Nov 3, 8:00 PM EST | 762 | 1.19 | 1,000–2,250 |
| Nov 3, 7:00 PM EST | 752 | 1.18 | 1,000–2,250 |
| Nov 3, 6:00 PM EST | 752 | 1.18 | 1,000–2,250 |
| Nov 3, 5:00 PM EST | 752 | 1.18 | 1,000–2,250 |
| Nov 3, 4:00 PM EST | 752 | 1.18 | 1,000–2,250 |
| Nov 3, 3:00 PM EST | 752 | 1.18 | 1,000–2,250 |
| Nov 3, 2:00 PM EST | 762 | 1.19 | 1,000–2,250 |
| Nov 3, 1:00 PM EST | 762 | 1.19 | 1,000–2,250 |
| Nov 3, 12:00 PM EST | 762 | 1.19 | 1,000–2,250 |
| Nov 3, 11:00 AM EST | 762 | 1.19 | 1,000–2,250 |
| Nov 3, 10:00 AM EST | 772 | 1.2 | 1,000–2,250 |
| Nov 3, 9:00 AM EST | 772 | 1.2 | 1,000–2,250 |
| Nov 3, 8:00 AM EST | 772 | 1.2 | 1,000–2,250 |
| Nov 3, 7:00 AM EST | 772 | 1.2 | 1,000–2,250 |
| Nov 3, 6:00 AM EST | 782 | 1.21 | 1,000–2,250 |
| Nov 3, 5:00 AM EST | 772 | 1.2 | 1,000–2,250 |
| Nov 3, 4:00 AM EST | 782 | 1.21 | 1,000–2,250 |
| Nov 3, 3:00 AM EST | 772 | 1.2 | 1,000–2,250 |
| Nov 3, 2:00 AM EST | 772 | 1.2 | 1,000–2,250 |
| Nov 3, 1:00 AM EST | 772 | 1.2 | 1,000–2,250 |
| Nov 3, 12:00 AM EST | 772 | 1.2 | 1,000–2,250 |
| Nov 2, 11:00 PM EST | 772 | 1.2 | 919–2,230 |
| Nov 2, 10:00 PM EST | 772 | 1.2 | 919–2,230 |
| Nov 2, 9:00 PM EST | 772 | 1.2 | 919–2,230 |
| Nov 2, 8:00 PM EST | 772 | 1.2 | 919–2,230 |
| Nov 2, 7:00 PM EST | 772 | 1.2 | 919–2,230 |
| Nov 2, 6:00 PM EST | 772 | 1.2 | 919–2,230 |
| Nov 2, 5:00 PM EST | 772 | 1.2 | 919–2,230 |
| Nov 2, 4:00 PM EST | 772 | 1.2 | 919–2,230 |
| Nov 2, 3:00 PM EST | 772 | 1.2 | 919–2,230 |
| Nov 2, 2:00 PM EST | 772 | 1.2 | 919–2,230 |
| Nov 2, 1:00 PM EST | 772 | 1.2 | 919–2,230 |
| Nov 2, 12:00 PM EST | 772 | 1.2 | 919–2,230 |
| Nov 2, 11:00 AM EST | 772 | 1.2 | 919–2,230 |
| Nov 2, 10:00 AM EST | 772 | 1.2 | 919–2,230 |
| Nov 2, 9:00 AM EST | 782 | 1.21 | 919–2,230 |
| Nov 2, 8:00 AM EST | 782 | 1.21 | 919–2,230 |
| Nov 2, 7:00 AM EST | 782 | 1.21 | 919–2,230 |
| Nov 2, 6:00 AM EST | 792 | 1.22 | 919–2,230 |
| Nov 2, 5:00 AM EST | 792 | 1.22 | 919–2,230 |
| Nov 2, 4:00 AM EST | 792 | 1.22 | 919–2,230 |
| Nov 2, 3:00 AM EST | 792 | 1.22 | 919–2,230 |
| Nov 2, 2:00 AM EST | 792 | 1.22 | 919–2,230 |
| Nov 2, 1:00 AM EST | 782 | 1.21 | 919–2,230 |
| Nov 2, 12:00 AM EST | 782 | 1.21 | 919–2,230 |
| Nov 1, 11:00 PM EST | 772 | 1.2 | 878–2,010 |
| Nov 1, 10:00 PM EST | 782 | 1.21 | 878–2,010 |
| Nov 1, 9:00 PM EST | 782 | 1.21 | 878–2,010 |
| Nov 1, 8:00 PM EST | 772 | 1.2 | 878–2,010 |
| Nov 1, 7:00 PM EST | 772 | 1.2 | 878–2,010 |
| Nov 1, 6:00 PM EST | 772 | 1.2 | 878–2,010 |
| Nov 1, 5:00 PM EST | 772 | 1.2 | 878–2,010 |
| Nov 1, 4:00 PM EST | 772 | 1.2 | 878–2,010 |
| Nov 1, 3:00 PM EST | 772 | 1.2 | 878–2,010 |
| Nov 1, 2:00 PM EST | 772 | 1.2 | 878–2,010 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 PM EST | 782 | 1.21 | 878–2,010 |
| Nov 1, 12:00 PM EST | 782 | 1.21 | 878–2,010 |
| Nov 1, 11:00 AM EST | 782 | 1.21 | 878–2,010 |
| Nov 1, 10:00 AM EST | 782 | 1.21 | 878–2,010 |
| Nov 1, 9:00 AM EST | 782 | 1.21 | 878–2,010 |
| Nov 1, 8:00 AM EST | 782 | 1.21 | 878–2,010 |
| Nov 1, 7:00 AM EST | 782 | 1.21 | 878–2,010 |
| Nov 1, 6:00 AM EST | 782 | 1.21 | 878–2,010 |
| Nov 1, 5:00 AM EST | 782 | 1.21 | 878–2,010 |
| Nov 1, 4:00 AM EST | 782 | 1.21 | 878–2,010 |
| Nov 1, 3:00 AM EST | 782 | 1.21 | 878–2,010 |
| Nov 1, 2:00 AM EST | 782 | 1.21 | 878–2,010 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 AM EST | 782 | 1.21 | 878–2,010 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 AM EDT | 782 | 1.21 | 878–2,010 |
| Nov 1, 12:00 AM EDT | 782 | 1.21 | 878–2,010 |
| Oct 31, 11:00 PM EDT | 782 | 1.21 | 885–2,020 |
| Oct 31, 10:00 PM EDT | 782 | 1.21 | 885–2,020 |
| Oct 31, 9:00 PM EDT | 782 | 1.21 | 885–2,020 |
| Oct 31, 8:00 PM EDT | 772 | 1.2 | 885–2,020 |
| Oct 31, 7:00 PM EDT | 772 | 1.2 | 885–2,020 |
| Oct 31, 6:00 PM EDT | 772 | 1.2 | 885–2,020 |
| Oct 31, 5:00 PM EDT | 772 | 1.2 | 885–2,020 |
| Oct 31, 4:00 PM EDT | 772 | 1.2 | 885–2,020 |
| Oct 31, 3:00 PM EDT | 772 | 1.2 | 885–2,020 |
| Oct 31, 2:00 PM EDT | 772 | 1.2 | 885–2,020 |
| Oct 31, 1:00 PM EDT | 772 | 1.2 | 885–2,020 |
| Oct 31, 12:00 PM EDT | 782 | 1.21 | 885–2,020 |
| Oct 31, 11:00 AM EDT | 782 | 1.21 | 885–2,020 |
| Oct 31, 10:00 AM EDT | 782 | 1.21 | 885–2,020 |
| Oct 31, 9:00 AM EDT | 782 | 1.21 | 885–2,020 |
| Oct 31, 8:00 AM EDT | 792 | 1.22 | 885–2,020 |
| Oct 31, 7:00 AM EDT | 792 | 1.22 | 885–2,020 |
| Oct 31, 6:00 AM EDT | 792 | 1.22 | 885–2,020 |
| Oct 31, 5:00 AM EDT | 792 | 1.22 | 885–2,020 |
| Oct 31, 4:00 AM EDT | 792 | 1.22 | 885–2,020 |
| Oct 31, 3:00 AM EDT | 792 | 1.22 | 885–2,020 |
| Oct 31, 2:00 AM EDT | 802 | 1.23 | 885–2,020 |
| Oct 31, 1:00 AM EDT | 792 | 1.22 | 885–2,020 |
| Oct 31, 12:00 AM EDT | 792 | 1.22 | 885–2,020 |
| Oct 30, 11:00 PM EDT | 792 | 1.22 | 853–2,100 |
| Oct 30, 10:00 PM EDT | 792 | 1.22 | 853–2,100 |
| Oct 30, 9:00 PM EDT | 792 | 1.22 | 853–2,100 |
| Oct 30, 8:00 PM EDT | 792 | 1.22 | 853–2,100 |
| Oct 30, 7:00 PM EDT | 792 | 1.22 | 853–2,100 |
| Oct 30, 6:00 PM EDT | 792 | 1.22 | 853–2,100 |
| Oct 30, 5:00 PM EDT | 792 | 1.22 | 853–2,100 |
| Oct 30, 4:00 PM EDT | 792 | 1.22 | 853–2,100 |
| Oct 30, 3:00 PM EDT | 792 | 1.22 | 853–2,100 |
| Oct 30, 2:00 PM EDT | 792 | 1.22 | 853–2,100 |
| Oct 30, 1:00 PM EDT | 792 | 1.22 | 853–2,100 |
| Oct 30, 12:00 PM EDT | 792 | 1.22 | 853–2,100 |
| Oct 30, 11:00 AM EDT | 792 | 1.22 | 853–2,100 |
| Oct 30, 10:00 AM EDT | 802 | 1.23 | 853–2,100 |
| Oct 30, 9:00 AM EDT | 802 | 1.23 | 853–2,100 |
| Oct 30, 8:00 AM EDT | 802 | 1.23 | 853–2,100 |
| Oct 30, 7:00 AM EDT | 802 | 1.23 | 853–2,100 |
| Oct 30, 6:00 AM EDT | 802 | 1.23 | 853–2,100 |
| Oct 30, 5:00 AM EDT | 813 | 1.24 | 853–2,100 |
| Oct 30, 4:00 AM EDT | 813 | 1.24 | 853–2,100 |
| Oct 30, 3:00 AM EDT | 813 | 1.24 | 853–2,100 |
| Oct 30, 2:00 AM EDT | 802 | 1.23 | 853–2,100 |
| Oct 30, 1:00 AM EDT | 802 | 1.23 | 853–2,100 |
| Oct 30, 12:00 AM EDT | 802 | 1.23 | 853–2,100 |
| Oct 29, 11:00 PM EDT | 802 | 1.23 | 850–2,190 |
| Oct 29, 10:00 PM EDT | 802 | 1.23 | 850–2,190 |
| Oct 29, 9:15 PM EDT | 802 | 1.23 | 850–2,190 |
Map of USGS gauge 03453500 and the river around it
Where FRENCH BROAD RIVER AT MARSHALL, NC sits, with 4 other gauges on the same river and our water's map point.
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.
Normal for Nov 5: 1,020–2,440 ft³/s (middle half of 84 years of record). Now: 4,200 ft³/s, much above normal.
Much above normal for this date. 4,200 ft³/s is above the 90th percentile of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 84 years of record (1943–2026): 10th 660, 25th 1,020, median 1,300, 75th 2,440, 90th 3,940 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 434 ft³/s, highest 7,530 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).
Rising over 24 hours: discharge up 368.2%, from 897 to 4,200 ft³/s. 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.
Species the agency lists for French Broad River: smallmouth bass, rock bass, catfish, crappie, bluegill, carp, sauger.
From our page for French Broad River, on the same river as this gauge; the agency list is for the water, not this exact reach. Source: Cherokee National Forest | French Broad River | Forest Service (USDA Forest Service (Cherokee National Forest)).
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)Rising water. Rising over the last 24 hours (discharge up 368%). Keep your way back to the bank in sight and watch the level while you fish. “Rising” is our rule of thumb: more than 10% in discharge or 0.2 ft of gauge height in 24 hours, not a USGS or NWS class.
Flow far above normal. Above the 90th percentile of daily mean flow for this date (USGS class “much above normal”), from 84 years of record. Expect higher, faster water than usual for the season.
hyswap: flow categories (WDFN_stats schema) (U.S. Geological Survey) Statistics documentation (percentiles of daily mean discharge) (U.S. Geological Survey)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 3.2 ft stage, 4,260 ft³/s at Nov 5, 8:00 PM EST (NWS gauge MARN7; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
NWS river forecast forecast issued Nov 5, 7:56 AM EST. Highest point: 3.3 ft, 4,480 ft³/s on Nov 6, 1:00 AM EST (Below NWS action stage).
| Day | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 5 | 2.9 ft | 3,620 ft³/s |
| Fri, Nov 6 | 3.3 ft | 4,480 ft³/s |
| Sat, Nov 7 | 2.8 ft | 3,420 ft³/s |
| Sun, Nov 8 | 2.3 ft | 2,380 ft³/s |
| Mon, Nov 9 | 1.9 ft | 1,700 ft³/s |
| Tue, Nov 10 | 1.8 ft | 1,540 ft³/s |
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
Checked Nov 5, 9:08 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.