NANTAHALA RIVER NEAR RAINBOW SPRINGS, NC
USGS 03504000 · North Carolina · reports discharge (live), gauge height
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USGS 03504000 · North Carolina · reports discharge (live), gauge height
What the agencies suggest
During periods of high water, fish move towards the banks to find calmer water and lower velocitiesPennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
Wading and boating should be avoided if waters are running high and muddy and the streambed is not visiblePennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
If stream conditions are not favorable, consider fishing at a lakePennsylvania 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, 10:30 PM EST · provisional USGS data
Much above normal for Nov 5 Falling · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 169 readings from Oct 29, 11:30 PM EDT to Nov 5, 10:30 PM EST; ranging 70.4 to 1,220 ft³/s; latest 234 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, 10:30 PM EST | 234 | 1.58 | 74–172 |
| Nov 5, 9:30 PM EST | 243 | 1.61 | 74–172 |
| Nov 5, 8:30 PM EST | 251 | 1.64 | 74–172 |
| Nov 5, 7:30 PM EST | 263 | 1.68 | 74–172 |
| Nov 5, 6:30 PM EST | 278 | 1.73 | 74–172 |
| Nov 5, 5:30 PM EST | 290 | 1.77 | 74–172 |
| Nov 5, 4:30 PM EST | 309 | 1.83 | 74–172 |
| Nov 5, 3:30 PM EST | 335 | 1.91 | 74–172 |
| Nov 5, 2:30 PM EST | 363 | 1.99 | 74–172 |
| Nov 5, 1:30 PM EST | 403 | 2.1 | 74–172 |
| Nov 5, 12:30 PM EST | 461 | 2.25 | 74–172 |
| Nov 5, 11:30 AM EST | 515 | 2.38 | 74–172 |
| Nov 5, 10:30 AM EST | 613 | 2.6 | 74–172 |
| Nov 5, 9:30 AM EST | 711 | 2.8 | 74–172 |
| Nov 5, 8:30 AM EST | 795 | 2.96 | 74–172 |
| Nov 5, 7:30 AM EST | 956 | 3.28 | 74–172 |
| Nov 5, 6:30 AM EST | 1,160 | 3.65 | 74–172 |
| Nov 5, 5:30 AM EST | 1,220 | 3.76 | 74–172 |
| Nov 5, 4:30 AM EST | 549 | 2.46 | 74–172 |
| Nov 5, 3:30 AM EST | 312 | 1.84 | 74–172 |
| Nov 5, 2:30 AM EST | 303 | 1.81 | 74–172 |
| Nov 5, 1:30 AM EST | 309 | 1.83 | 74–172 |
| Nov 5, 12:30 AM EST | 329 | 1.89 | 74–172 |
| Nov 4, 11:30 PM EST | 360 | 1.98 | 64–172 |
| Nov 4, 10:30 PM EST | 407 | 2.11 | 64–172 |
| Nov 4, 9:30 PM EST | 473 | 2.28 | 64–172 |
| Nov 4, 8:30 PM EST | 545 | 2.45 | 64–172 |
| Nov 4, 7:30 PM EST | 536 | 2.43 | 64–172 |
| Nov 4, 6:30 PM EST | 319 | 1.86 | 64–172 |
| Nov 4, 5:30 PM EST | 208 | 1.48 | 64–172 |
| Nov 4, 4:30 PM EST | 144 | 1.23 | 64–172 |
| Nov 4, 3:30 PM EST | 117 | 1.11 | 64–172 |
| Nov 4, 2:30 PM EST | 101 | 1.03 | 64–172 |
| Nov 4, 1:30 PM EST | 90.1 | 0.97 | 64–172 |
| Nov 4, 12:30 PM EST | 83.2 | 0.93 | 64–172 |
| Nov 4, 11:30 AM EST | 79.9 | 0.91 | 64–172 |
| Nov 4, 10:30 AM EST | 78.3 | 0.9 | 64–172 |
| Nov 4, 9:30 AM EST | 76.7 | 0.89 | 64–172 |
| Nov 4, 8:30 AM EST | 75.1 | 0.88 | 64–172 |
| Nov 4, 7:30 AM EST | 75.1 | 0.88 | 64–172 |
| Nov 4, 6:30 AM EST | 73.5 | 0.87 | 64–172 |
| Nov 4, 5:30 AM EST | 73.5 | 0.87 | 64–172 |
| Nov 4, 4:30 AM EST | 72 | 0.86 | 64–172 |
| Nov 4, 3:30 AM EST | 72 | 0.86 | 64–172 |
| Nov 4, 2:30 AM EST | 72 | 0.86 | 64–172 |
| Nov 4, 1:30 AM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 64–172 |
| Nov 4, 12:30 AM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 64–172 |
| Nov 3, 11:30 PM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–189 |
| Nov 3, 10:30 PM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–189 |
| Nov 3, 9:30 PM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–189 |
| Nov 3, 8:30 PM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–189 |
| Nov 3, 7:30 PM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–189 |
| Nov 3, 6:30 PM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–189 |
| Nov 3, 5:30 PM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–189 |
| Nov 3, 4:30 PM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–189 |
| Nov 3, 3:30 PM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–189 |
| Nov 3, 2:30 PM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–189 |
| Nov 3, 1:30 PM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–189 |
| Nov 3, 12:30 PM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–189 |
| Nov 3, 11:30 AM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–189 |
| Nov 3, 10:30 AM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–189 |
| Nov 3, 9:30 AM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–189 |
| Nov 3, 8:30 AM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–189 |
| Nov 3, 7:30 AM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–189 |
| Nov 3, 6:30 AM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–189 |
| Nov 3, 5:30 AM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–189 |
| Nov 3, 4:30 AM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–189 |
| Nov 3, 3:30 AM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–189 |
| Nov 3, 2:30 AM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–189 |
| Nov 3, 1:30 AM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–189 |
| Nov 3, 12:30 AM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–189 |
| Nov 2, 11:30 PM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 69–175 |
| Nov 2, 10:30 PM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 69–175 |
| Nov 2, 9:30 PM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 69–175 |
| Nov 2, 8:30 PM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 69–175 |
| Nov 2, 7:30 PM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 69–175 |
| Nov 2, 6:30 PM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 69–175 |
| Nov 2, 5:30 PM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 69–175 |
| Nov 2, 4:30 PM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 69–175 |
| Nov 2, 3:30 PM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 69–175 |
| Nov 2, 2:30 PM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 69–175 |
| Nov 2, 1:30 PM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 69–175 |
| Nov 2, 12:30 PM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 69–175 |
| Nov 2, 11:30 AM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 69–175 |
| Nov 2, 10:30 AM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 69–175 |
| Nov 2, 9:30 AM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 69–175 |
| Nov 2, 8:30 AM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 69–175 |
| Nov 2, 7:30 AM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 69–175 |
| Nov 2, 6:30 AM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 69–175 |
| Nov 2, 5:30 AM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 69–175 |
| Nov 2, 4:30 AM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 69–175 |
| Nov 2, 3:30 AM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 69–175 |
| Nov 2, 2:30 AM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 69–175 |
| Nov 2, 1:30 AM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 69–175 |
| Nov 2, 12:30 AM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 69–175 |
| Nov 1, 11:30 PM EST | 72 | 0.86 | 71–157 |
| Nov 1, 10:30 PM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 71–157 |
| Nov 1, 9:30 PM EST | 72 | 0.86 | 71–157 |
| Nov 1, 8:30 PM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 71–157 |
| Nov 1, 7:30 PM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 71–157 |
| Nov 1, 6:30 PM EST | 72 | 0.86 | 71–157 |
| Nov 1, 5:30 PM EST | 72 | 0.86 | 71–157 |
| Nov 1, 4:30 PM EST | 72 | 0.86 | 71–157 |
| Nov 1, 3:30 PM EST | 72 | 0.86 | 71–157 |
| Nov 1, 2:30 PM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 71–157 |
| Nov 1, 1:30 PM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 71–157 |
| Nov 1, 12:30 PM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 71–157 |
| Nov 1, 11:30 AM EST | 72 | 0.86 | 71–157 |
| Nov 1, 10:30 AM EST | 72 | 0.86 | 71–157 |
| Nov 1, 9:30 AM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 71–157 |
| Nov 1, 8:30 AM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 71–157 |
| Nov 1, 7:30 AM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 71–157 |
| Nov 1, 6:30 AM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 71–157 |
| Nov 1, 5:30 AM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 71–157 |
| Nov 1, 4:30 AM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 71–157 |
| Nov 1, 3:30 AM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 71–157 |
| Nov 1, 2:30 AM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 71–157 |
| Nov 1, 1:30 AM EST | 70.4 | 0.85 | 71–157 |
| Nov 1, 1:30 AM EDT | 70.4 | 0.85 | 71–157 |
| Nov 1, 12:30 AM EDT | 70.4 | 0.85 | 71–157 |
| Oct 31, 11:30 PM EDT | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–138 |
| Oct 31, 10:30 PM EDT | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–138 |
| Oct 31, 9:30 PM EDT | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–138 |
| Oct 31, 8:30 PM EDT | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–138 |
| Oct 31, 7:30 PM EDT | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–138 |
| Oct 31, 6:30 PM EDT | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–138 |
| Oct 31, 5:30 PM EDT | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–138 |
| Oct 31, 4:30 PM EDT | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–138 |
| Oct 31, 3:30 PM EDT | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–138 |
| Oct 31, 2:30 PM EDT | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–138 |
| Oct 31, 1:30 PM EDT | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–138 |
| Oct 31, 12:30 PM EDT | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–138 |
| Oct 31, 11:30 AM EDT | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–138 |
| Oct 31, 10:30 AM EDT | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–138 |
| Oct 31, 9:30 AM EDT | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–138 |
| Oct 31, 8:30 AM EDT | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–138 |
| Oct 31, 7:30 AM EDT | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–138 |
| Oct 31, 6:30 AM EDT | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–138 |
| Oct 31, 5:30 AM EDT | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–138 |
| Oct 31, 4:30 AM EDT | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–138 |
| Oct 31, 3:30 AM EDT | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–138 |
| Oct 31, 2:30 AM EDT | 70.4 | 0.85 | 65–138 |
| Oct 31, 1:30 AM EDT | 72 | 0.86 | 65–138 |
| Oct 31, 12:30 AM EDT | 72 | 0.86 | 65–138 |
| Oct 30, 11:30 PM EDT | 72 | 0.86 | 64–139 |
| Oct 30, 10:30 PM EDT | 72 | 0.86 | 64–139 |
| Oct 30, 9:30 PM EDT | 72 | 0.86 | 64–139 |
| Oct 30, 8:30 PM EDT | 72 | 0.86 | 64–139 |
| Oct 30, 7:30 PM EDT | 72 | 0.86 | 64–139 |
| Oct 30, 6:30 PM EDT | 72 | 0.86 | 64–139 |
| Oct 30, 5:30 PM EDT | 72 | 0.86 | 64–139 |
| Oct 30, 4:30 PM EDT | 72 | 0.86 | 64–139 |
| Oct 30, 3:30 PM EDT | 72 | 0.86 | 64–139 |
| Oct 30, 2:30 PM EDT | 72 | 0.86 | 64–139 |
| Oct 30, 1:30 PM EDT | 72 | 0.86 | 64–139 |
| Oct 30, 12:30 PM EDT | 72 | 0.86 | 64–139 |
| Oct 30, 11:30 AM EDT | 72 | 0.86 | 64–139 |
| Oct 30, 10:30 AM EDT | 72 | 0.86 | 64–139 |
| Oct 30, 9:30 AM EDT | 72 | 0.86 | 64–139 |
| Oct 30, 8:30 AM EDT | 72 | 0.86 | 64–139 |
| Oct 30, 7:30 AM EDT | 72 | 0.86 | 64–139 |
| Oct 30, 6:30 AM EDT | 72 | 0.86 | 64–139 |
| Oct 30, 5:30 AM EDT | 72 | 0.86 | 64–139 |
| Oct 30, 4:30 AM EDT | 72 | 0.86 | 64–139 |
| Oct 30, 3:30 AM EDT | 72 | 0.86 | 64–139 |
| Oct 30, 2:30 AM EDT | 72 | 0.86 | 64–139 |
| Oct 30, 1:30 AM EDT | 72 | 0.86 | 64–139 |
| Oct 30, 12:30 AM EDT | 73.5 | 0.87 | 64–139 |
| Oct 29, 11:30 PM EDT | 72 | 0.86 | 64–146 |
Map of USGS gauge 03504000 and the river around it
Where NANTAHALA RIVER NEAR RAINBOW SPRINGS, 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 the same river as our page for Nantahala River, but no agency page we read lists its species.
Normal for Nov 5: 74–172 ft³/s (middle half of 86 years of record). Now: 234 ft³/s, much above normal.
Much above normal for this date. 234 ft³/s is above the 90th percentile of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 86 years of record (1941–2026): 10th 48, 25th 74, median 106, 75th 172, 90th 231 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 32 ft³/s, highest 625 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).
Falling over 24 hours: discharge down 42.5%, from 407 to 234 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.
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)Flow far above normal. Above the 90th percentile of daily mean flow for this date (USGS class “much above normal”), from 86 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 1.61 ft stage, 260 ft³/s at Nov 5, 9:30 PM EST (NWS gauge RAIN7; 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)
Checked Nov 5, 10:58 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.