Oconaluftee River below Contesky Dr, in Birdtown

1. 18.00 ftRecord flooding will be observed.
2. 17.00 ftExpect most stores, motels, and other businesses in Birdtown and Cherokee, as well as parts of Highways 19a and 441, to be flooded.
3. 15.00 ftMany buildings will likely be flooded in Birdtown between McCoy Branch Rd. and Adams Creek Rd.
4. 13.00 ftBusinesses and hotels in Birdtown and Cherokee may begin to flood.
5. 12.00 ftSome homes along the river near Cherokee and Birdtown may begin to flood. Parts of Highway 19A may also be covered with water.
6. 11.50 ftWater approaches US 19 just west of Goose Creek Rd.
7. 10.00 ftParts of Old Highway 4 near Keener Road may be flooded and buildings near Cline and Haiger Streets may start to get water in them. Floodwater levels will be similar to the levels that occurred on May 6, 2003.
8. 9.00 ftWater will approach the water treatment plant on Old Highway Number 4. Water will approach residential yards on Highway 19 between Adams Creek and McCoy Branch Rd.
9. 8.00 ftFlooding will be likely upstream along the Oconaluftee River in the Yellow Hill community especially along White Water Drive.
10. 3.50 ft3.5 inch in headwaters in 12 hrs caused the river to rise from 1.83 ft to 7.71 ft
11. 2.50 ft2.5 to 3.0 basin avg in 8 hr in headwaters will cause a 6 ft rise on river.
12. 1.10 ft1.25 basin average in 5 hours in headwaters caused a 2.3 ft rise.

Chance of flooding, September to November

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

Most recent crests

• September 27, 2024: 10.18 ft
• December 2, 2015: 7.76 ft
• October 14, 2014: 5.11 ft
• February 3, 2014: 7.74 ft
• January 15, 2013: 9.37 ft
• December 7, 2011: 5.78 ft
• November 30, 2010: 8.07 ft
• December 9, 2009: 8.80 ft
• September 27, 2009: 6.81 ft
• January 7, 2009: 6.93 ft

• DownstreamTuckasegee River at Bryson City
• Deep Creek (NC) at Deep Creek road near Bryson City
• Tuckasegee River at Barkers creek nr Dillsboro
• Soco Creek at Wolfetown Road
• Soco Creek at at Wolfetown Rd (US 19) 5 E Cherokee
• Tuckasegee River at Scott's Creek inflow
• Raven Fork Creek at EBCI Trout Farm
• Straight Fork Creek at the Tribal Hatchery

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.

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.