Cheoah River near Bearpen Gap near Tapoco water level
River gauge, Cheoah River, North Carolina, United States
Right now
Normal for late October
Water level
- Flow
- 97.6 cfs
- Water temperature
- 60 °F
History
20252026
What this means
The gauge at Cheoah River near Bearpen Gap near Tapoco reads 2.77 ft, a normal level for late October.
That puts it 0.12 ft above the median of 2.65 ft for late October, based on 27 years of readings. It is 15.23 ft below the flood stage of 18.00 ft. A year ago it stood at 2.65 ft (+0.12 ft).
The level has held steady over the past 24 hours. Over the past 30 days it has moved between 2.74 ft and 3.16 ft.
Fall is often low-water season on rivers, until steadier rain returns. The sensor also reports a water temperature of 60 °F.
Compared with 27 years of daily readings for this time of year. How to read levels
Key numbers
- Median for this date
- 2.65 ft0.12 ft above the median for this date
- Normal for this date
- 1.97 ft – 2.95 ft8 years in 10 fall in this range (27 years of records)
- Same day last year
- 2.65 ft+0.12 ft
- Lowest and highest in 30 days
- 2.74 ft – 3.16 ft
- Lowest and highest in 12 months
- 2.63 ft – 4.65 ft
- Highest on record
- 13.30 ftMay 6, 2003
What the stage means on the water
A normal level is usually prime time for floating and wade fishing, as long as the weather holds upstream.
The National Weather Service puts flood stage for this gauge at 18.00 ft, still 15.23 ft away.
What happens at each level
- 18.00 ft
- HOMES AND HIGHWAY 129 WILL BEGIN TO FLOOD
- 8.00 ft
- DAM RELEASES WILL LIKELY BE AROUND 7000 CFS AND PARTS OF TAPOCO ROAD WILL BE CLOSE TO FLOODING. CHECK EAP
- 2.77 ft
- Right now
Impact statements from the U.S. National Weather Service.
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Level | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13.30 ft | May 6, 2003 |
| 2 | 12.08 ft | October 15, 2014 |
| 3 | 9.34 ft | January 16, 2013 |
| 4 | 9.30 ft | January 7, 2009 |
| 5 | 8.58 ft | January 23, 2002 |
| 6 | 8.23 ft | December 9, 2004 |
| 7 | 7.96 ft | December 28, 2007 |
| 8 | 7.92 ft | February 24, 2019 |
| 9 | 7.71 ft | February 11, 2018 |
| 10 | 7.70 ft | February 5, 2010 |
Weather at the gauge
The forecast is not available right now.
Map
Nearby gauges
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nantahala River near HewittRiver gauge, Nantahala River | 1.21 ft | Very low | −0.01 ft | 18 mi |
| Little River above TownsendRiver gauge, Little River | 55.9 cfs | Low | −2.9 cfs | 20 mi |
| Tellico River at Tellico PlainsRiver gauge, Tellico River | 58.6 cfs | Normal | −1.4 cfs | 21 mi |
| Valley River at TomotlaRiver gauge, Valley River | 1.75 ft | Normal | −0.01 ft | 21 mi |
| Little Tennessee River at NeedmoreRiver gauge, Little Tennessee River | 1.91 ft | Low | −0.01 ft | 23 mi |
| Little River near MaryvilleRiver gauge, Little River | 5.20 ft | Below flood stage | −0.04 ft | 24 mi |
| Little River near AlcoaRiver gauge, Little River | 1.74 ft | Low | −0.03 ft | 26 mi |
| Tuckasegee River at Bryson CityRiver gauge, Tuckasegee River | 1.98 ft | Normal | ±0 | 27 mi |
Questions and answers
How does the Cheoah River near Bearpen Gap near Tapoco compare with last year?
It is 0.12 ft higher than on the same day last year, when the reading was 2.65 ft.
What is flood stage for the Cheoah River near Bearpen Gap near Tapoco?
The official flood stage is 18.00 ft. The level is currently 15.23 ft below it.
What is a normal level for the Cheoah River near Bearpen Gap near Tapoco in late October?
The median for late October is 2.65 ft. In 8 years out of 10 the reading falls between 1.97 ft and 2.95 ft, based on 27 years of records.
Is gage height the same as water depth?
No. Gage height is measured from a fixed reference point chosen by the agency, so a reading of 10 ft does not mean the river is 10 ft deep.
What is the water level of Cheoah River near Bearpen Gap near Tapoco today?
On Oct 21, 2026, 05:00 AM EDT, the water level was 2.77 ft. Steady over the last 24 hours.
Is Cheoah River near Bearpen Gap near Tapoco rising or falling?
Steady over the last 24 hours. Steady over the last 7 days.
Is the level of Cheoah River near Bearpen Gap near Tapoco normal?
Normal for late October. Compared with 27 years of daily readings for this time of year.
For specialists
Station codes, datum, parameters, data quality and downloads
- Operator
- U.S. Geological Survey
- Station code
usgs:0351706800(Agency page)- Coordinates
35.43833, -83.91889(WGS84)- Vertical datum
- NAVD88
- Update interval
- every 15 minutes
- Licence
- Public domain. Data: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), provisional data subject to revision
Published series
| Parameter | Last value | Time (UTC) | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water level | 2.77 ft | 2026-10-21 09:00 | Provisional |
| Flow | 97.6 cfs | 2026-10-21 09:00 | Provisional |
| Water temperature | 60 °F | 2026-10-21 09:00 | Provisional |
Download
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How to cite
U.S. Geological Survey: Cheoah River near Bearpen Gap near Tapoco (usgs:0351706800). Accessed October 21, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/north-carolina/cheoah-river-near-bearpen-gap-near-tapoco
How we check values
Each reading is stored as published. We hold back values that jump faster than physically plausible and show the measurement time with every value.
Readings are provisional, can be delayed or wrong and are not a flood warning. Read the disclaimer