French Broad River at Asheville
North Carolina · Tubing & floating
Measured at USGS 03451500 — FRENCH BROAD RIVER AT ASHEVILLE, NC · NWS forecast point AVLN7
Reading taken Jul 28, 11:30 PM UTC
Right around its normal summer float level
At 1,300 CFS, this gauge is running 96% of normal for late July — close to the 1,360 CFS median USGS has recorded for this date across 130 years of record (1896–2026).
Data-derived guidance from USGS and NWS published values — not official advice, and not a safety assessment.
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Flood stages at Asheville
Official National Weather Service categories for gauge AVLN7, issued by WFO GSP. Impact statements are the NWS's own wording for this location, reproduced verbatim.
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Major flood 18.0 ft
- 18.0 ft Major Flood Stage. Significant flooding is ongoing along the French Broad River from Carrier Park to Woodfin. Most buildings within the floodplain in this area are likely experiencing significant lower-level inundation. Roadways adjacent to the river including Riverside Dr., Lyman St., Craven Dr., Riverview Dr., and Emma Rd. are likely impassable.
- 19.0 ft Major Flooding continues. Devastating impacts are likely ongoing from Woodfin to I-240 and Carrier Park. Floodwaters are likely impacting residences as well as businesses on the left bank of the river while significant right-bank inundation continues and worsens.
- 23.1 ft Record Flood Stage. This is the highest stage observed for the French Broad River at Asheville since measurements began in October 1895. Devastating flooding of adjacent areas of the French Broad River Valley is likely.
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Moderate flood 13.0 ft · 25,200 CFS
- 13.0 ft Moderate Flood Stage. French Broad River floodwaters may be inundating the ground floor of industrial and commercial buildings between the river and I-26, especially south of Pearson Bridge Rd.
- 15.0 ft Moderate Flooding continues. Significant flooding of commercial and industrial buildings along Riverside Dr. is ongoing. Floodwaters are beginning to impact commercial and industrial buildings along Lyman St. and between Lyman St. and Depot St. Floodwaters have reached levels similar to those that occurred during Hurricane Frances in early September, 2004.
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Minor flood 9.5 ft · 16,200 CFS
- 9.5 ft Minor Flood Stage. The French Broad River is flooding areas between Riverside Dr., and Lyman St. on the right bank and Riverview Dr., Craven St. and Emma Rd. on the left bank, including railroad and industrial property. Parts of Emma Rd. between Pearson Bridge Rd. and Craven St. may be flooding.
- 10.5 ft Minor Flooding continues. French Broad River floodwaters may be approaching industrial buildings on the right bank between Woodfin and Pearson Bridge Rd. Floodwaters may also be approaching industrial buildings between Haywood Rd. and Amboy Rd.
- 12.0 ft Minor Flooding continues. French Broad River floodwaters are impacting industrial and commercial property between Woodfin and Pearson Bridge Rd. as well as along Riverside Dr. Floodwaters may begin to enter adjacent industrial and commercial structures and buildings.
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Action 6.5 ft · 11,615 CFS
- 6.5 ft Action Stage. The French Broad River is exceeding its banks and beginning to flood low-lying areas, including the Woodfin Riverside Park, the floodplain adjacent to Craggy Dam Reservoir, Carrier Park, and French Broad River Park.
- 7.5 ft Action stage flooding continues. French Broad River floodwaters continue to flood Woodfin Riverside Park, the floodplain adjacent to Craggy Dam Reservoir, Carrier Park, and French Broad River Park as well as other low-lying areas within the flood plain. Floodwaters may be approaching Amboy Rd. and Lyman St. Local small tributaries including Smith Mill Creek near Emma Rd. may be exceeding bankfull levels.
- 8.0 ft Action stage flooding continues. The French Broad River is beginning to flood low-lying areas near Pearson Bridge Rd. and may be approaching industrial property.
- Right now 1.36 ft
NWS forecast: 1.50 ft by Jul 29, 6:00 AM UTC.
12 months of flow at Asheville
Daily values from USGS gauge 03451500. Provisional data, subject to revision.
Highest crests on record at Asheville
| Stage | Flow | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 24.82 ft | 113,000 CFS | Sep 27, 2024 |
| 23.10 ft | 110,000 CFS | Jul 16, 1916 |
| 18.00 ft | — | Jun 1, 1976 |
| 15.00 ft | — | Aug 1, 1952 |
| 14.55 ft | 43,100 CFS | Sep 8, 2004 |
| 14.00 ft | — | Apr 1, 1945 |
| 13.27 ft | 42,700 CFS | Aug 16, 1928 |
| 12.33 ft | 34,000 CFS | Nov 16, 1978 |
| 12.15 ft | 34,800 CFS | Aug 30, 1940 |
| 11.65 ft | 31,800 CFS | Aug 14, 1940 |
Historical crests published by the National Weather Service for this gauge.
About French Broad River at Asheville
This gauge measures French Broad River at Asheville, North Carolina — the reading paddlers, anglers and outfitters on this stretch check before committing to a shuttle.
River Arts District tubing; Asheville's flood gauge post-Helene.
Raw CFS means little on its own, so every reading on this page is shown against the USGS median for the same calendar day — 1,360 CFS for late July, from 130 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.
French Broad River at Asheville — common questions
What is the current flow on French Broad River at Asheville?
As of the last reading on this page, French Broad River at Asheville was running 1,300 CFS at a gage height of 1.36 ft, or 96% of the USGS median for this date. The number updates automatically from USGS gauge 03451500, 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 1,360 CFS, calculated from 130 years of record (1896–2026). 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.
What flow is good for tubing French Broad River?
riverlvl does not publish a recommended tubing range — that call belongs to the outfitters and the local authorities who know this stretch. What this page gives you is the objective input: today's flow, the seasonal median for the same date, and where the reading sits in the 12-month record. Local outfitters generally publish their own cutoffs, and they close when the river is up.
Does rain upstream change this reading quickly?
Yes. This is a free-flowing gauge, so it responds directly to rain in the basin upstream. Flashy rises of several feet in a few hours are normal on rivers like this after a heavy storm, which is why the reading is worth checking the morning you go.
What does gage height mean versus CFS?
Gage height is how high the water surface is above the gauge's own zero point, in feet — a local measure, not depth and not elevation. CFS is cubic feet per second, the volume of water moving past the gauge. Flood stages are set in gage height; float and paddling conditions are usually discussed in CFS.