Nolichucky River level at Erwin
Tennessee · Paddling & whitewater
Measured at USGS 03465500 — NOLICHUCKY RIVER AT EMBREEVILLE, TN · NWS forecast point EMBT1
Reading taken · as of 33 min ago
No seasonal normal for this gauge
USGS has not published enough daily statistics for this site to compare this reading against a seasonal normal, so this page shows the reading and its recent trend rather than a percent-of-normal figure.
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Flood stages at Erwin
National Weather Service categories for gauge EMBT1, WFO MRX. Impact wording is the NWS's own, verbatim.
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Major flood 20.0 ft
- 21.5 ft A Bumpus Cove Road resident reported that the 1977 flood was said to have gotten into the house she lives in, which sits on a concrete slab, while it did not get into the house next door, which sits two feet higher atop a crawl space. This is a source of uncertainty of impacts at this location and its relation to gauge measurements downstream near the bridge and any effects of damming the bridge may cause near the gauge. These homes were destroyed by Helene flooding; perhaps some may be rebuilt.
- 24.0 ft Previous Flood of Record from 1901.
- 33.9 ft Flood of record from the 2024 Helene event, as established by high water marks.
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Moderate flood 16.0 ft
- 16.0 ft Water reaches the pad of the train car at KOA Campground. This campground was destructively impacted by Helene flooding; perhaps it will be restored.
- 17.0 ft Low spots along Hwy 107 between Embreeville and Erwin might flood.
- 18.0 ft Water might threaten the lowest of a row of riverside homes along Bumpus Cove Road a half mile upstream from the bridge. Flows this high contain increasing uncertainty as to how the gauge readings downstream near the bridge are reflective of stream heights and impacts along Bumpus Cove Road. These homes were destroyed by Helene flooding; perhaps some may be rebuilt.
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Minor flood 12.0 ft
- 12.0 ft Pasture land around the Highway 107 bridge floods. The channel narrows at the bridge just downstream of the gauge, which may elevate the river level at the gauge during higher flows due to damming effect.
- 13.0 ft Portions of AJ Willis Road will flood.
- 14.0 ft Back yards of riverside homes along Bumpus Cove Road take substantial water. These homes were destroyed by Helene flooding; perhaps some may be rebuilt.
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Action 10.0 ft
- 11.0 ft The main camping level of the KOA campground is covered by water. This campground was destructively impacted by Helene flooding; perhaps it will be restored.
- 11.5 ft Property at Bumpus Cove Road and Little Germany Road floods. Much of the Bumpus Cove area was destroyed by Helene flooding; some structures may gradually be rebuilt.
- Right now 1.12 ft
NWS forecast: 1.20 ft by .
Flow history at Erwin
Daily values from USGS 03465500, updated every 15 to 60 minutes; NWS forecast for EMBT1 reissued through the day. Provisional.
Highest crests on record at Erwin
12 on record
| Stage | Flow | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 33.88 ft | — | Sep 27, 2024 |
| 24.00 ft | 120,000 CFS | May 21, 1901 |
| 21.52 ft | 110,000 CFS | Nov 6, 1977 |
| 18.57 ft | 82,500 CFS | Aug 13, 1940 |
| 15.55 ft | 64,100 CFS | Sep 17, 2004 |
| 15.53 ft | 64,000 CFS | Jan 15, 1995 |
| 14.92 ft | 60,220 CFS | Sep 8, 2004 |
| 13.85 ft | 35,300 CFS | Aug 16, 1928 |
| 13.45 ft | 51,400 CFS | Jan 8, 1998 |
| 12.76 ft | 47,900 CFS | Mar 12, 1963 |
Crests published by the National Weather Service.
About Nolichucky River at Erwin
In Tennessee — the reading paddlers, anglers and outfitters here check before committing to a shuttle. Nolichucky Gorge; classic natural-flow run.
Nolichucky River at Erwin — common questions
3 questions
How fast can Nolichucky River at Erwin come up?
Fast. It is free-flowing, so rain upstream moves it directly. Several feet in a few hours is normal after a heavy storm.
Is Nolichucky River at Erwin high or low for this time of year?
USGS has not published enough daily statistics for this site to compute a seasonal median, so this page shows the reading and its trend instead.
How often does this reading update?
USGS transmits from gauge 03465500 every 15 to 60 minutes, and the National Weather Service reissues the flood forecast for EMBT1 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.