Neuse River at Clayton
North Carolina · Flood watch
Measured at USGS 02087500 — NEUSE RIVER NEAR CLAYTON, NC · NWS forecast point CLYN7
Reading taken Jul 28, 11:15 PM UTC
Running far above normal for the date
At 1,040 CFS, this gauge is running 252% of normal for late July — above the 413 CFS median USGS has recorded for this date across 43 years of record (1983–2026).
Data-derived guidance from USGS and NWS published values — not official advice, and not a safety assessment.
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Flood stages at Clayton
Official National Weather Service categories for gauge CLYN7, issued by WFO RAH. Impact statements are the NWS's own wording for this location, reproduced verbatim.
-
Major flood 16.0 ft
- 16.0 ft Major flooding begins.
- 18.0 ft Castleberry Road off NC-42 is flooded and flood waters approach the entrance to East Clayton Elementary School.
- 22.0 ft Flooding reaches the lower concrete span of the bridge on Covered Bridge Road.
- 26.0 ft The grounds of the pumping station begin to flood.
-
Moderate flood 13.0 ft
- 13.0 ft Flooding will close the Neuse River Greenway trail.
-
Minor flood 9.0 ft
- 9.0 ft Minor flooding begins. Minor overflow occurs on both banks. Water reaches the edge of the Neuse River Greenway trail.
- 10.0 ft Upstream of the gage site, the Neuse River Greenway at Covered Bridge Road begins to flood.
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Action 8.0 ft
- Right now 2.82 ft
NWS forecast: 3.10 ft by Jul 29, 6:00 AM UTC.
12 months of flow at Clayton
Daily values from USGS gauge 02087500. Provisional data, subject to revision.
Highest crests on record at Clayton
| Stage | Flow | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 22.12 ft | 22,900 CFS | Sep 19, 1945 |
| 21.62 ft | 22,000 CFS | Oct 3, 1929 |
| 21.15 ft | 21,200 CFS | Jul 23, 1919 |
| 20.67 ft | 20,500 CFS | Sep 17, 1999 |
| 20.48 ft | 20,900 CFS | Oct 9, 2016 |
| 20.12 ft | 19,700 CFS | Sep 7, 1996 |
| 19.31 ft | 18,219 CFS | Apr 26, 2017 |
| 18.70 ft | 17,000 CFS | Dec 1, 1934 |
| 18.32 ft | 16,400 CFS | Mar 20, 1975 |
| 17.93 ft | 15,900 CFS | Feb 4, 1973 |
Historical crests published by the National Weather Service for this gauge.
About Neuse River at Clayton
This is the reference gauge for Neuse River at Clayton, North Carolina. It is the reading local emergency managers, the National Weather Service and residents watch when the river comes up.
Falls Lake releases; Raleigh metro flash-flood exposure.
Raw CFS means little on its own, so every reading on this page is shown against the USGS median for the same calendar day — 413 CFS for late July, from 43 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.
Neuse River at Clayton — common questions
What is the current flow on Neuse River at Clayton?
As of the last reading on this page, Neuse River at Clayton was running 1,040 CFS at a gage height of 2.82 ft, or 252% of the USGS median for this date. The number updates automatically from USGS gauge 02087500, 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 413 CFS, calculated from 43 years of record (1983–2026). 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 is flood stage at Clayton?
The National Weather Service sets minor flood stage at this gauge at 9.0 ft, moderate at 13.0 ft, and major at 16.0 ft. Action stage — the level at which agencies begin preparing — is 8.0 ft. The ladder on this page shows each threshold against the current reading.
What happens at each flood stage here?
The National Weather Service publishes 7 stage-by-stage impact statements for this gauge, describing what specific roads, properties and structures are affected at each level. They are reproduced verbatim on this page, lowest to highest. They are NWS descriptions, not riverlvl's.
Is there a forecast for this gauge?
Yes. This is an NWS forecast point, so the chart shows the observed hydrograph running into the official National Weather Service forecast. Forecasts are issued by the local Weather Forecast Office (RAH) and updated through the day during high water.