Rivers in North Carolina

French Broad River above Silver Mine Ck, in Hot Springs

Madison County, North CarolinaNWS HSPN7USGS 03454500Greer office

Below flood stage
3.07ftStage

Observed Thu, Sep 24, 5:15 AM EDT

Flood stage
9.50 ft
Record crest
22.30 ft2024

Open the live map with the river flood outlook

Flood stages and impacts

CategoryStage
Major flood21.00 ft
Moderate flood16.00 ft
Minor flood9.50 ft
Action7.50 ft
  1. 26.00 ftMajor flooding. Water levels in town will be around 1 to 3 ft high.
  2. 23.50 ftFurther flooding along Spring Creek, causing water levels to be around 2 ft deep in some areas between Spring creek and Andrew Ave.
  3. 22.50 ftWater will approach camping areas and a few homes along Painted Rock Rd. Similar flooding that occurred on September 17, 2004
  4. 21.00 ftHot Springs Spa buildings will be flooded. Homes and some buildings between the river and river and Silver Mine Rds will be flooded.
  5. 19.00 ftMuch of the area between the river and Silver Mine and Andrews Rds will likely be flooded. Spring Creek will overflow its banks north of Bridges Rd.
  6. 16.50 ftAreas between the railroad and the river near Divine Water Way northwest of town and areas between the river and Highway 25/70 near Lookout Loop will begin to flood.
  7. 12.50 ftWater may approach camping areas between South Andrews Avenue and the river. Floodwater levels will be similar to levels observed on September 9, 2004.
  8. 10.00 ftFloodwaters will approach Hot Springs Spa property and parts of River Road and Silvermine Road will flood. Floodwater levels will be similar to levels observed on May 6, 2003.
  9. 9.50 ftParts of Silver Mine Road and River Road may begin to flood. Areas near Spring Creek in the Hot Springs Spa area will begin to flood.

Flood outlook

Chance of flooding, September to November

CategoryChance
Minor floodingUnder 5%
Moderate floodingUnder 5%
Major floodingUnder 5%

The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 16, 2026.

Crest history

16 crests on NOAA’s list since 1867.

#DateStage
1September 27, 202422.30 ft
2July 16, 191622.00 ft
3February 28, 190219.00 ft
4March 1, 186718.00 ft
5November 7, 197717.50 ft
6June 10, 187617.00 ft
7August 30, 194016.11 ft
8April 19, 201913.10 ft
9February 6, 202011.28 ft
10July 4, 20139.42 ft
11December 2, 20158.27 ft
12December 23, 20137.19 ft
13May 30, 20186.95 ft
14April 24, 20175.94 ft
15December 7, 20115.62 ft
16October 15, 20145.15 ft

Most recent crests

  • September 27, 2024: 22.30 ft
  • February 6, 2020: 11.28 ft
  • April 19, 2019: 13.10 ft
  • May 30, 2018: 6.95 ft
  • April 24, 2017: 5.94 ft
  • December 2, 2015: 8.27 ft
  • October 15, 2014: 5.15 ft
  • December 23, 2013: 7.19 ft
  • July 4, 2013: 9.42 ft
  • December 7, 2011: 5.62 ft

Nearby

Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.

What this means

Forecasts by the Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available. 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.