Davidson River level at Brevard
North Carolina · Fishing & wading
Measured at USGS 03441000 — DAVIDSON RIVER NEAR BREVARD, NC · NWS forecast point DAVN7
Reading taken · as of 33 min ago
Low and clear — wadeable, and fish will be spooky
At 30 CFS, this gauge is running 48% of normal for mid-September — below the 62 CFS median USGS has recorded for this date across 103 years of record (1921–2026).
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Flood stages at Brevard
National Weather Service categories for gauge DAVN7, WFO GSP. Impact wording is the NWS's own, verbatim.
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Major flood 14.0 ft
- 14.0 ft Major Flood Stage. The Davidson River will reaching levels similar to those observed during Tropical Cyclone Fred in August 2021. Devastating flooding of the Pisgah National Forest above Pisgah Forest will be developing, capable of washing out low-water crossings, and inundating structures and recreational areas within the park. Floodwaters several feet deep will impact Deavor Rd and Davidson River Rd downstream.
- 16.0 ft Major, historic flooding continues. Some of the Pisgan Ranger District Station Buildings may begin to flood. The English Chapel Church will be surrounded by flood waters.
- 16.5 ft Catastropic, historic flooding is developing. Buildings along and near US 64 and US 276 may be inundated by several feet of water. The Dike at Olin Mathieson Chemical Corp will likely be overtopped. Buildings along Vanderbilt Rd may flood. Significant, damaging flooding will continue within the Pisgah National Forest.
- 20.0 ft Catastrophic, historic flooding continues. The English Chapel Church may be devastated by floodwaters.
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Moderate flood 12.0 ft
- 12.0 ft Moderate Flood Stage. Floodwaters will approach buildings near and at the junction of US 64 and US 276. Floodwaters will reach levels seen during Hurricane Frances in September 2004.
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Minor flood 6.0 ft
- 6.0 ft Minor Flood Stage. The Davidson River will begin to flood Davidson River Rd and Wilson Rd in Pisgah Forest. Backwater flooding occurs along Turkey Creek affection Deavor Rd.
- 9.5 ft Minor Flooding continues. Deavor Rd along the Davidson River will become impassible.
-
Action 4.5 ft
- 5.0 ft Action/Advisory Stage. Low areas adjacent to Davidson River Rd near the river will begin to flood.
- Right now 0.52 ft
Flow history at Brevard
Daily values from USGS 03441000, updated every 15 to 60 minutes; NWS forecast for DAVN7 reissued through the day. Provisional.
Highest crests on record at Brevard
12 on record
| Stage | Flow | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 14.36 ft | 11,200 CFS | Aug 17, 2021 |
| 12.08 ft | 8,400 CFS | Aug 17, 1994 |
| 11.90 ft | — | Jun 1, 1976 |
| 11.86 ft | 7,450 CFS | Sep 9, 2004 |
| 11.80 ft | 84,002 CFS | Aug 15, 1928 |
| 10.90 ft | — | Oct 1, 1918 |
| 10.74 ft | 6,550 CFS | May 28, 1973 |
| 10.64 ft | 4,980 CFS | Oct 4, 1964 |
| 10.30 ft | — | Jul 16, 1916 |
| 10.04 ft | 6,130 CFS | Oct 16, 1932 |
Crests published by the National Weather Service.
About Davidson River at Brevard
In North Carolina — the reading paddlers, anglers and outfitters here check before committing to a shuttle. Pisgah Forest; dense fly-shop cluster.
Davidson River at Brevard — common questions
3 questions
What makes the flow change on Davidson River at Brevard?
Rain upstream, plus seasonal baseflow. The 12-month chart shows how it behaves through the year.
Is Davidson River at Brevard high or low for this time of year?
The USGS median flow for mid-September here is 62 CFS, from 103 years of record (1921–2026). Today is 48% of it. The comparison is what makes the raw number mean anything: the same reading is a drought on one river and a flood on another.
How often does this reading update?
USGS transmits from gauge 03441000 every 15 to 60 minutes, and the National Weather Service reissues the flood forecast for DAVN7 a few times a day — more often when the river is rising. This page refreshes from both when you open it. The timestamp is in the gauge's local time.