Davidson River at Brevard
North Carolina · Fishing & wading
Measured at USGS 03441000 — DAVIDSON RIVER NEAR BREVARD, NC · NWS forecast point DAVN7
Reading taken Jul 28, 11:30 PM UTC
Below normal — good wading, low and clear
At 44 CFS, this gauge is running 63% of normal for late July — below the 70 CFS median USGS has recorded for this date across 102 years of record (1921–2026).
Data-derived guidance from USGS and NWS published values — not official advice, and not a safety assessment.
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Flood stages at Brevard
Official National Weather Service categories for gauge DAVN7, issued by WFO GSP. Impact statements are the NWS's own wording for this location, reproduced 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 0.63 ft
12 months of flow at Brevard
Daily values from USGS gauge 03441000. Provisional data, subject to revision.
Highest crests on record at Brevard
| 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 |
Historical crests published by the National Weather Service for this gauge.
About Davidson River at Brevard
This gauge measures Davidson River at Brevard, North Carolina — the reading paddlers, anglers and outfitters on this stretch check before committing to a shuttle.
Pisgah Forest; dense fly-shop cluster.
Raw CFS means little on its own, so every reading on this page is shown against the USGS median for the same calendar day — 70 CFS for late July, from 102 years of record.
Because the National Weather Service also operates a forecast point here, the page carries the official flood-category ladder and the NWS's own stage-by-stage impact statements.
Davidson River at Brevard — common questions
What is the current flow on Davidson River at Brevard?
As of the last reading on this page, Davidson River at Brevard was running 44 CFS at a gage height of 0.63 ft, or 63% of the USGS median for this date. The number updates automatically from USGS gauge 03441000, which reports every 15 to 60 minutes.
Is that high or low for this time of year?
The USGS median flow for late July at this gauge is 70 CFS, calculated from 102 years of record (1921–2026). Comparing today's reading against that median is the only way a raw CFS number tells you anything — 200 CFS is a drought on one river and a flood on another.
How often does this reading update?
USGS transmits from this gauge every 15 to 60 minutes. This page bakes in the most recent reading when it is rebuilt, then refreshes live from USGS when you open it. Readings are provisional and subject to revision by USGS.
Is Davidson River at Brevard wadeable right now?
That depends on the reach and on your own judgement — riverlvl will not tell you the water is safe to stand in. What it will tell you is whether today's flow is unusually high or low for the date, against a seasonal median of 70 CFS, which is the single most useful input to that decision.
What makes the flow change on this stretch?
Rain in the basin upstream, plus seasonal baseflow. The 12-month chart shows the past year of daily values, which is the clearest picture of how this gauge behaves through the seasons.
Where does this data come from?
Flow and gage height are public-domain USGS data from gauge 03441000. Flood categories, impact statements and the forecast come from the NOAA / National Weather Service National Water Prediction Service, gauge DAVN7. riverlvl adds the seasonal comparison and plain-English summary; it is not an official source and does not issue warnings.