Rivers in North Carolina
French Broad River at Old Fanning Bridge Rd, 3 W Fletcher
Below flood stage
5.44ftStage
Observed Wed, Sep 23, 9:30 AM EDT
- Flood stage
- 13.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 5.50 ftThu, Sep 24, 2:00 PM EDT
- Record crest
- 30.61 ft2024
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 20.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 17.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 13.00 ft |
| Action | 10.00 ft |
- 20.10 ftRecord Flood Stage. Floodwaters are approaching levels similar to those levels observed in during Hurricane Frances in early September, 2004.
- 20.00 ftMajor Flood Stage. Significant and damaging flooding of the French Broad River Valley is likely from Etowah upstream to Avery Creek and Biltmore Park downstream of the gauge site.
- 17.00 ftModerate Flood Stage. Significant inundation of several roads within the French Broad River Valley from Etowah to Avery Creek is ongoing. Floodwaters may be approaching vulnerable homes and businesses within the valley. Floodwater levels are similar to those levels observed during Hurricane Ivan in mid-September, 2004.
- 15.00 ftMinor Flooding continues. French Broad River floodwaters may be impacting several roads within the valley, resulting in road closures including along Glenn Bridge Rd., Pinner Rd., Butler Bridge Rd., Nelson Rd., Banner Farm Rd., Brannon Rd., Old Brevard Hwy., and Ladson Rd. Widespread farmland flooding is ongoing with floodwaters impacting some residential and commercial property and outbuildings. Adjacent parks and river access points along the reach of the river are experiencing significant inundation.
- 13.00 ftMinor Flood Stage. French Broad River floodwaters are now inundating Banner Farm Rd. Floodwaters may be approaching portions of Glenn Bridge Rd. Farmland and other low-lying areas within the French Broad River Valley from Etowah to Avery Creek are experiencing scattered flooding. Glenn Bridge Park and river access is experiencing scattered flooding.
- 12.00 ftAction Stage continues. Glenn Bridge Park river access is experiencing minor flooding. Westfeldt Park is experiencing scattered flooding. French Broad River floodwaters are causing isolated to widely scattered farmland flooding.
- 11.50 ftAction Stage Flooding continues. Butler Bridge Rd. is inundated with up to 6 inches of floodwaters from the French Broad River, forcing road closure.
- 10.00 ftAction/Advisory Stage. The French Broad River has exceeded bankfull at the gauge site. Isolated farmland flooding is beginning across the French Broad River Valley from Etowah downstream to Avery Creek upstream of the gauge site.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 12% |
| Moderate flooding | 6% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 16, 2026.
Crest history
30 crests on NOAA’s list since 2002.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 27, 2024 | 30.61 ft |
| 2 | September 8, 2004 | 20.13 ft |
| 3 | September 17, 2004 | 17.54 ft |
| 4 | May 6, 2013 | 15.62 ft |
| 5 | January 10, 2024 | 15.31 ft |
| 6 | May 19, 2018 | 15.30 ft |
| 7 | July 6, 2013 | 15.01 ft |
| 8 | September 22, 2009 | 14.81 ft |
| 9 | January 25, 2010 | 14.65 ft |
| 10 | February 7, 2020 | 14.34 ft |
| 11 | December 2, 2010 | 13.40 ft |
| 12 | January 28, 2013 | 12.58 ft |
| 13 | May 7, 2003 | 12.50 ft |
| 14 | February 4, 2016 | 12.13 ft |
| 15 | January 30, 2013 | 12.05 ft |
| 16 | December 23, 2013 | 11.43 ft |
| 17 | March 2, 2007 | 10.85 ft |
| 18 | July 7, 2005 | 10.84 ft |
| 19 | April 24, 2017 | 10.65 ft |
| 20 | November 29, 2011 | 10.43 ft |
| 21 | November 20, 2003 | 10.31 ft |
| 22 | October 15, 2014 | 10.29 ft |
| 23 | April 29, 2013 | 10.23 ft |
| 24 | June 27, 2006 | 9.92 ft |
| 25 | December 28, 2002 | 9.80 ft |
Most recent crests
- September 27, 2024: 30.61 ft
- January 10, 2024: 15.31 ft
- February 7, 2020: 14.34 ft
- May 19, 2018: 15.30 ft
- April 24, 2017: 10.65 ft
- February 4, 2016: 12.13 ft
- October 15, 2014: 10.29 ft
- December 23, 2013: 11.43 ft
- July 6, 2013: 15.01 ft
- May 6, 2013: 15.62 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
- UpstreamFrench Broad River at Blantyre
- DownstreamFrench Broad River at Asheville
- Mills River at Mills River
- Cane River (NC) at Mills Gap rd near Fletcher
- Mud Creek (NC) at N Main St 1 N Hendersonville
- Swannanoa River at Biltmore
- Mud Creek (NC) at Erkwood Dr. 1 S Hendersonville
- Bat Fork Creek at Hendersonville
What this means
Forecasts by the Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely year-round. River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 24 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.
Sources
Stage, flood stages, impacts and crest history from NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service. Streamflow and the daily record from the U.S. Geological Survey.