WATAUGA RIVER NEAR SUGAR GROVE, NC
USGS 03479000 · North Carolina · reports discharge (live), gauge height
Reading WATAUGA RIVER NEAR SUGAR GROVE, NC…
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USGS 03479000 · 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, 7:15 PM EST · provisional USGS data
Above normal for Nov 5 Rising · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 169 readings from Oct 29, 8:15 PM EDT to Nov 5, 7:15 PM EST; ranging 60.1 to 517 ft³/s; latest 187 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, 7:15 PM EST | 187 | 2.11 | 45–152 |
| Nov 5, 6:15 PM EST | 197 | 2.14 | 45–152 |
| Nov 5, 5:15 PM EST | 203 | 2.16 | 45–152 |
| Nov 5, 4:15 PM EST | 216 | 2.2 | 45–152 |
| Nov 5, 3:15 PM EST | 226 | 2.23 | 45–152 |
| Nov 5, 2:15 PM EST | 240 | 2.27 | 45–152 |
| Nov 5, 1:15 PM EST | 255 | 2.31 | 45–152 |
| Nov 5, 12:15 PM EST | 274 | 2.36 | 45–152 |
| Nov 5, 11:15 AM EST | 293 | 2.41 | 45–152 |
| Nov 5, 10:15 AM EST | 314 | 2.46 | 45–152 |
| Nov 5, 9:15 AM EST | 339 | 2.52 | 45–152 |
| Nov 5, 8:15 AM EST | 371 | 2.59 | 45–152 |
| Nov 5, 7:15 AM EST | 404 | 2.66 | 45–152 |
| Nov 5, 6:15 AM EST | 444 | 2.74 | 45–152 |
| Nov 5, 5:15 AM EST | 486 | 2.82 | 45–152 |
| Nov 5, 4:15 AM EST | 517 | 2.88 | 45–152 |
| Nov 5, 3:15 AM EST | 439 | 2.73 | 45–152 |
| Nov 5, 2:15 AM EST | 223 | 2.22 | 45–152 |
| Nov 5, 1:15 AM EST | 153 | 1.99 | 45–152 |
| Nov 5, 12:15 AM EST | 94.9 | 1.75 | 45–152 |
| Nov 4, 11:15 PM EST | 81 | 1.68 | 44–153 |
| Nov 4, 10:15 PM EST | 75.4 | 1.65 | 44–153 |
| Nov 4, 9:15 PM EST | 71.8 | 1.63 | 44–153 |
| Nov 4, 8:15 PM EST | 68.3 | 1.61 | 44–153 |
| Nov 4, 7:15 PM EST | 68.3 | 1.61 | 44–153 |
| Nov 4, 6:15 PM EST | 66.6 | 1.6 | 44–153 |
| Nov 4, 5:15 PM EST | 64.9 | 1.59 | 44–153 |
| Nov 4, 4:15 PM EST | 63.3 | 1.58 | 44–153 |
| Nov 4, 3:15 PM EST | 63.3 | 1.58 | 44–153 |
| Nov 4, 2:15 PM EST | 63.3 | 1.58 | 44–153 |
| Nov 4, 1:15 PM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 44–153 |
| Nov 4, 12:15 PM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 44–153 |
| Nov 4, 11:15 AM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 44–153 |
| Nov 4, 10:15 AM EST | 60.1 | 1.56 | 44–153 |
| Nov 4, 9:15 AM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 44–153 |
| Nov 4, 8:15 AM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 44–153 |
| Nov 4, 7:15 AM EST | 60.1 | 1.56 | 44–153 |
| Nov 4, 6:15 AM EST | 60.1 | 1.56 | 44–153 |
| Nov 4, 5:15 AM EST | 60.1 | 1.56 | 44–153 |
| Nov 4, 4:15 AM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 44–153 |
| Nov 4, 3:15 AM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 44–153 |
| Nov 4, 2:15 AM EST | 60.1 | 1.56 | 44–153 |
| Nov 4, 1:15 AM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 44–153 |
| Nov 4, 12:15 AM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 44–153 |
| Nov 3, 11:15 PM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 47–144 |
| Nov 3, 10:15 PM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 47–144 |
| Nov 3, 9:15 PM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 47–144 |
| Nov 3, 8:15 PM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 47–144 |
| Nov 3, 7:15 PM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 47–144 |
| Nov 3, 6:15 PM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 47–144 |
| Nov 3, 5:15 PM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 47–144 |
| Nov 3, 4:15 PM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 47–144 |
| Nov 3, 3:15 PM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 47–144 |
| Nov 3, 2:15 PM EST | 63.3 | 1.58 | 47–144 |
| Nov 3, 1:15 PM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 47–144 |
| Nov 3, 12:15 PM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 47–144 |
| Nov 3, 11:15 AM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 47–144 |
| Nov 3, 10:15 AM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 47–144 |
| Nov 3, 9:15 AM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 47–144 |
| Nov 3, 8:15 AM EST | 63.3 | 1.58 | 47–144 |
| Nov 3, 7:15 AM EST | 63.3 | 1.58 | 47–144 |
| Nov 3, 6:15 AM EST | 63.3 | 1.58 | 47–144 |
| Nov 3, 5:15 AM EST | 63.3 | 1.58 | 47–144 |
| Nov 3, 4:15 AM EST | 63.3 | 1.58 | 47–144 |
| Nov 3, 3:15 AM EST | 63.3 | 1.58 | 47–144 |
| Nov 3, 2:15 AM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 47–144 |
| Nov 3, 1:15 AM EST | 63.3 | 1.58 | 47–144 |
| Nov 3, 12:15 AM EST | 63.3 | 1.58 | 47–144 |
| Nov 2, 11:15 PM EST | 63.3 | 1.58 | 50–162 |
| Nov 2, 10:15 PM EST | 63.3 | 1.58 | 50–162 |
| Nov 2, 9:15 PM EST | 63.3 | 1.58 | 50–162 |
| Nov 2, 8:15 PM EST | 64.9 | 1.59 | 50–162 |
| Nov 2, 7:15 PM EST | 64.9 | 1.59 | 50–162 |
| Nov 2, 6:15 PM EST | 64.9 | 1.59 | 50–162 |
| Nov 2, 5:15 PM EST | 64.9 | 1.59 | 50–162 |
| Nov 2, 4:15 PM EST | 64.9 | 1.59 | 50–162 |
| Nov 2, 3:15 PM EST | 64.9 | 1.59 | 50–162 |
| Nov 2, 2:15 PM EST | 64.9 | 1.59 | 50–162 |
| Nov 2, 1:15 PM EST | 64.9 | 1.59 | 50–162 |
| Nov 2, 12:15 PM EST | 64.9 | 1.59 | 50–162 |
| Nov 2, 11:15 AM EST | 64.9 | 1.59 | 50–162 |
| Nov 2, 10:15 AM EST | 64.9 | 1.59 | 50–162 |
| Nov 2, 9:15 AM EST | 63.3 | 1.58 | 50–162 |
| Nov 2, 8:15 AM EST | 63.3 | 1.58 | 50–162 |
| Nov 2, 7:15 AM EST | 63.3 | 1.58 | 50–162 |
| Nov 2, 6:15 AM EST | 63.3 | 1.58 | 50–162 |
| Nov 2, 5:15 AM EST | 63.3 | 1.58 | 50–162 |
| Nov 2, 4:15 AM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 50–162 |
| Nov 2, 3:15 AM EST | 63.3 | 1.58 | 50–162 |
| Nov 2, 2:15 AM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 50–162 |
| Nov 2, 1:15 AM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 50–162 |
| Nov 2, 12:15 AM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 50–162 |
| Nov 1, 11:15 PM EST | 60.1 | 1.56 | 48–141 |
| Nov 1, 10:15 PM EST | 60.1 | 1.56 | 48–141 |
| Nov 1, 9:15 PM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 48–141 |
| Nov 1, 8:15 PM EST | 60.1 | 1.56 | 48–141 |
| Nov 1, 7:15 PM EST | 60.1 | 1.56 | 48–141 |
| Nov 1, 6:15 PM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 48–141 |
| Nov 1, 5:15 PM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 48–141 |
| Nov 1, 4:15 PM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 48–141 |
| Nov 1, 3:15 PM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 48–141 |
| Nov 1, 2:15 PM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 48–141 |
| Nov 1, 1:15 PM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 48–141 |
| Nov 1, 12:15 PM EST | 60.1 | 1.56 | 48–141 |
| Nov 1, 11:15 AM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 48–141 |
| Nov 1, 10:15 AM EST | 60.1 | 1.56 | 48–141 |
| Nov 1, 9:15 AM EST | 60.1 | 1.56 | 48–141 |
| Nov 1, 8:15 AM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 48–141 |
| Nov 1, 7:15 AM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 48–141 |
| Nov 1, 6:15 AM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 48–141 |
| Nov 1, 5:15 AM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 48–141 |
| Nov 1, 4:15 AM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 48–141 |
| Nov 1, 3:15 AM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 48–141 |
| Nov 1, 2:15 AM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 48–141 |
| Nov 1, 1:15 AM EST | 61.7 | 1.57 | 48–141 |
| Nov 1, 1:15 AM EDT | 61.7 | 1.57 | 48–141 |
| Nov 1, 12:15 AM EDT | 61.7 | 1.57 | 48–141 |
| Oct 31, 11:15 PM EDT | 61.7 | 1.57 | 46–132 |
| Oct 31, 10:15 PM EDT | 61.7 | 1.57 | 46–132 |
| Oct 31, 9:15 PM EDT | 63.3 | 1.58 | 46–132 |
| Oct 31, 8:15 PM EDT | 63.3 | 1.58 | 46–132 |
| Oct 31, 7:15 PM EDT | 63.3 | 1.58 | 46–132 |
| Oct 31, 6:15 PM EDT | 63.3 | 1.58 | 46–132 |
| Oct 31, 5:15 PM EDT | 63.3 | 1.58 | 46–132 |
| Oct 31, 4:15 PM EDT | 63.3 | 1.58 | 46–132 |
| Oct 31, 3:15 PM EDT | 63.3 | 1.58 | 46–132 |
| Oct 31, 2:15 PM EDT | 63.3 | 1.58 | 46–132 |
| Oct 31, 1:15 PM EDT | 63.3 | 1.58 | 46–132 |
| Oct 31, 12:15 PM EDT | 63.3 | 1.58 | 46–132 |
| Oct 31, 11:15 AM EDT | 63.3 | 1.58 | 46–132 |
| Oct 31, 10:15 AM EDT | 63.3 | 1.58 | 46–132 |
| Oct 31, 9:15 AM EDT | 63.3 | 1.58 | 46–132 |
| Oct 31, 8:15 AM EDT | 63.3 | 1.58 | 46–132 |
| Oct 31, 7:15 AM EDT | 63.3 | 1.58 | 46–132 |
| Oct 31, 6:15 AM EDT | 63.3 | 1.58 | 46–132 |
| Oct 31, 5:15 AM EDT | 63.3 | 1.58 | 46–132 |
| Oct 31, 4:15 AM EDT | 63.3 | 1.58 | 46–132 |
| Oct 31, 3:15 AM EDT | 64.9 | 1.59 | 46–132 |
| Oct 31, 2:15 AM EDT | 64.9 | 1.59 | 46–132 |
| Oct 31, 1:15 AM EDT | 63.3 | 1.58 | 46–132 |
| Oct 31, 12:15 AM EDT | 64.9 | 1.59 | 46–132 |
| Oct 30, 11:15 PM EDT | 64.9 | 1.59 | 42–128 |
| Oct 30, 10:15 PM EDT | 64.9 | 1.59 | 42–128 |
| Oct 30, 9:15 PM EDT | 64.9 | 1.59 | 42–128 |
| Oct 30, 8:15 PM EDT | 64.9 | 1.59 | 42–128 |
| Oct 30, 7:15 PM EDT | 66.6 | 1.6 | 42–128 |
| Oct 30, 6:15 PM EDT | 66.6 | 1.6 | 42–128 |
| Oct 30, 5:15 PM EDT | 66.6 | 1.6 | 42–128 |
| Oct 30, 4:15 PM EDT | 66.6 | 1.6 | 42–128 |
| Oct 30, 3:15 PM EDT | 64.9 | 1.59 | 42–128 |
| Oct 30, 2:15 PM EDT | 64.9 | 1.59 | 42–128 |
| Oct 30, 1:15 PM EDT | 64.9 | 1.59 | 42–128 |
| Oct 30, 12:15 PM EDT | 64.9 | 1.59 | 42–128 |
| Oct 30, 11:15 AM EDT | 64.9 | 1.59 | 42–128 |
| Oct 30, 10:15 AM EDT | 64.9 | 1.59 | 42–128 |
| Oct 30, 9:15 AM EDT | 64.9 | 1.59 | 42–128 |
| Oct 30, 8:15 AM EDT | 64.9 | 1.59 | 42–128 |
| Oct 30, 7:15 AM EDT | 66.6 | 1.6 | 42–128 |
| Oct 30, 6:15 AM EDT | 66.6 | 1.6 | 42–128 |
| Oct 30, 5:15 AM EDT | 66.6 | 1.6 | 42–128 |
| Oct 30, 4:15 AM EDT | 66.6 | 1.6 | 42–128 |
| Oct 30, 3:15 AM EDT | 66.6 | 1.6 | 42–128 |
| Oct 30, 2:15 AM EDT | 66.6 | 1.6 | 42–128 |
| Oct 30, 1:15 AM EDT | 66.6 | 1.6 | 42–128 |
| Oct 30, 12:15 AM EDT | 66.6 | 1.6 | 42–128 |
| Oct 29, 11:15 PM EDT | 66.6 | 1.6 | 42–118 |
| Oct 29, 10:15 PM EDT | 66.6 | 1.6 | 42–118 |
| Oct 29, 9:15 PM EDT | 66.6 | 1.6 | 42–118 |
| Oct 29, 8:15 PM EDT | 66.6 | 1.6 | 42–118 |
Normal for Nov 5: 45–152 ft³/s (middle half of 86 years of record). Now: 187 ft³/s, above normal.
Above normal for this date. 187 ft³/s is between the 75th and 90th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 86 years of record (1941–2026): 10th 30, 25th 45, median 74, 75th 152, 90th 287 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 22 ft³/s, highest 1,110 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 173.8%, from 68.3 to 187 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.
Map of USGS gauge 03479000 and the river around it
Where WATAUGA RIVER NEAR SUGAR GROVE, NC sits, with 1 other gauge 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.
This gauge is on our page for Watauga River, but no agency page we read lists its species.
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 174%). 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.
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 2.14 ft stage, 184 ft³/s at Nov 5, 6:30 PM EST (NWS gauge SGWN7; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
Forecasts are not available. Only observed stages are available for this point.
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
This gauge is on Watauga River: regulations, guides and shops
USGS gauge page USGS statistics NWS gauge SGWN7
Checked Nov 5, 7:42 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.