French Broad River level at Asheville
North Carolina · Tubing & floating
Measured at USGS 03451500 — FRENCH BROAD RIVER AT ASHEVILLE, NC · NWS forecast point AVLN7
Reading taken · as of 33 min ago
Low and slow — expect to drag in the shallows
At 577 CFS, this gauge is running 52% of normal for mid-September — below the 1,110 CFS median USGS has recorded for this date across 130 years of record (1896–2026).
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Flood stages at Asheville
National Weather Service categories for gauge AVLN7, WFO GSP. Impact wording is the NWS's own, 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 0.90 ft
NWS forecast: 0.90 ft by .
Flow history at Asheville
Daily values from USGS 03451500, updated every 15 to 60 minutes; NWS forecast for AVLN7 reissued through the day. Provisional.
Highest crests on record at Asheville
12 on record
| 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 |
Crests published by the National Weather Service.
About French Broad River at Asheville
In North Carolina — the reading paddlers, anglers and outfitters here check before committing to a shuttle. River Arts District tubing; Asheville's flood gauge post-Helene.
French Broad River at Asheville — common questions
3 questions
Does rain upstream change French Broad River at Asheville quickly?
Yes. It is free-flowing, so rain upstream moves it directly. Several feet in a few hours is normal after a heavy storm.
Is French Broad River at Asheville high or low for this time of year?
The USGS median flow for mid-September here is 1,110 CFS, from 130 years of record (1896–2026). Today is 52% 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 03451500 every 15 to 60 minutes, and the National Weather Service reissues the flood forecast for AVLN7 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.