French Broad River at Rosman water level

Name: French Broad River at Rosman water level (U.S. Geological Survey)
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
License: https://www.usgs.gov/information-policies-and-instructions/copyrights-and-credits

River gauge, French Broad River, North Carolina, United States

Directions

Normal for mid-October

Water level

2.08ft Steady over the last 24 hours

Measured Oct 20, 2026, 03:15 AM EDT (48 min ago)

Flow: 99.6 cfs

History

7 days 30 days 1 year Years compared

20252026

Water level Normal range (10–90 %) Minor flood stage

What this means

The gauge at French Broad River at Rosman reads 2.08 ft, a normal level for mid-October.

That puts it 0.14 ft below the median of 2.22 ft for mid-October, based on 31 years of readings. It is 6.92 ft below the flood stage of 9.00 ft. A year ago it stood at 2.10 ft (−0.02 ft).

The level has held steady over the past 24 hours. Over the past 30 days it has moved between 1.94 ft and 3.60 ft.

Fall is often low-water season on rivers, until steadier rain returns.

Compared with 31 years of daily readings for this time of year. How to read levels

Key numbers

Median for this date: 2.22 ft0.14 ft below the median for this date
Normal for this date: 1.92 ft – 2.66 ft8 years in 10 fall in this range (31 years of records)
Same day last year: 2.10 ft−0.02 ft
Lowest and highest in 30 days: 1.94 ft – 3.60 ft
Lowest and highest in 12 months: 1.92 ft – 5.12 ft
Highest on record: 14.95 ftOctober 4, 1964

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 9.00 ft, still 6.92 ft away.

What happens at each level

15.00 ft: Major flooding continues. Extremely rare and catastrophic flooding of the French Broad River is ongoing with disastrous impacts to property, including within the town of Rosman. Flood waters may surround the water treatment plant and power substation near the French Broad River.
14.00 ft: Major Flood Stage. Extremely rare and catastrophic flooding of the French Broad River is developing with disastrous impacts to property. Extensive flooding of homes and businesses between US 178 and Main St is developing. Basements near the river will be inundated with at least 4-7 feet of water. Homes along E Depot St will see inundation up to 2 feet deep. Floodwater levels will be similar to those that occurred in August 2021 during Tropical Cyclone Fred.
13.00 ft: Moderate flooding continues. Extensive flooding of homes and businesses between US 178 and Main St is developing. Basements near the river will be inundated with at least 2-4 feet of water. Floodwaters will begin entering homes along E Depot St. Significant flooding of upstream commercial property near the confluence of the N Fork and W Fork French Broad rivers is developing. Floodwater levels will be similar to those that occurred in August 2021 immediately preceding Tropical Cyclone Fred.
12.00 ft: Moderate Flood Stage. Unusual, damaging flooding is developing adjacent to the French Broad River with considerable impacts to property and travel. Significant flooding reaching 4-6 ft deep is ongoing for low-lying areas and low-water crossings. Secondary roads, outbuildings, crawl spaces, and/or basements may be experiencing flooding reaching 2-4 feet deep, including along Chestnut St, Main St, and US 178. Some homes and businesses may be stranded. Significant impacts to travel are likely.
11.00 ft: Minor flooding continues. The French Broad River is approaching homes along Depot St. in Rosman likely requiring evacuations. Additionally, floodwaters will inundate US 178 adjacent to the gauge site and require closure.
10.00 ft: Minor flooding continues. Extensive flooding of low-lying secondary roads, including E Depot St, Hannah Ford Rd, Island Ford Rd, and Green Rd, is ongoing.
9.00 ft: Minor Flood Stage. Common, deeper flooding of low-lying areas adjacent to the French Broad River is developing with lesser impacts to vulnerable property. More significant floodwaters are beginning to impact low-lying areas, with inundation approximately 2-4 ft deep. Adjacent campgrounds, secondary roads, and outbuildings may be experiencing flooding up to 1-2 ft deep. Flooding less than 1 ft deep may begin impacting basements and primary roads, including E. Main St. and Depot St.
8.00 ft: Action Stage/Advisory flooding continues. Widespread flooding of adjacent low-lying areas is ongoing along the upper French Broad River. Hannah Ford, Island Ford, and Green Rds are experiencing flooding and are likely impassible.
7.00 ft: Action/Advisory Stage. Common, nuisance flooding of low-lying areas adjacent to the French Broad River is beginning. Hannah Ford, Island Ford, and Green Rds may begin to flood with up to 1 foot of inundation. Floodwaters are beginning to impact farmland, woodlands, nurseries, parks, athletic fields, golf courses, greenways, and boat-access areas with up to 2 feet of inundation. Low-water crossings may be inundated with up to 2 feet of floodwater and become impassable.
2.08 ft: Right now

Impact statements from the U.S. National Weather Service.

Highest crests on record

Rank	Level	Date
1	14.95 ft	October 4, 1964
2	14.74 ft	September 27, 2024
3	14.12 ft	August 17, 1994
4	14.11 ft	August 17, 2021
5	13.90 ft	July 1, 1916
6	13.38 ft	August 16, 2021
7	13.31 ft	September 29, 1964
8	12.90 ft	September 8, 2004
9	12.84 ft	March 4, 1979
10	12.76 ft	September 17, 2004

Weather at the gauge

The forecast is not available right now.

Sunrise 07:42 AM Sunset 06:51 PM Daylight 11 hr, 9 min First quarter 66%

Map

Other gauges on the French Broad River

Gauge	Level	Compared with normal	24 hours	Distance
French Broad River at BlantyreRiver gauge, French Broad River	5.60 ft	Normal	−0.10 ft	16 mi
French Broad River near FletcherRiver gauge, French Broad River	4.29 ft	Normal	−0.07 ft	25 mi
French Broad River at AshevilleRiver gauge, French Broad River	1.25 ft	Low	−0.04 ft	35 mi
French Broad River at MarshallRiver gauge, French Broad River	1.44 ft	Normal	−0.04 ft	45 mi
French Broad River at Hot SpringsRiver gauge, French Broad River	2.73 ft	Normal	−0.03 ft	52 mi
French Broad River near NewportRiver gauge, French Broad River	2.37 ft	Below flood stage	−0.04 ft	61 mi

Nearby gauges

Gauge	Level	Compared with normal	24 hours	Distance
South Saluda River near Rocky BottomRiver gauge, South Saluda River	14.1 cfs	Low	−1.2 cfs	9 mi
Slicking Creek near Rocky BottomRiver gauge, Slicking Creek	6.5 cfs	Normal	±0	9 mi
Eastatoee Creek on Cleo Chapman Highway near SunsetRiver gauge, Eastatoee Creek on Cleo Chapman Highway	1.92 ft	Normal	−0.01 ft	10 mi
Table Rock Reservoir near ClevelandReservoir, Table Rock Reservoir	42.10 ft	Normal	−0.05 ft	10 mi
Table Rock Reservoir Tailrace near ClevelandRiver gauge, Table Rock Reservoir Tailrace	2.8 cfs	Low	±0	10 mi
Davidson River near BrevardRiver gauge, Davidson River	0.72 ft	Normal	−0.01 ft	11 mi
South Saluda River near ClevelandRiver gauge, South Saluda River	2.02 ft	Normal	+0.01 ft	11 mi
Middle Saluda River near ClevelandRiver gauge, Middle Saluda River	1.53 ft	Very low	−0.04 ft	16 mi

Questions and answers

How does the French Broad River at Rosman compare with last year?

It is 0.02 ft lower than on the same day last year, when the reading was 2.10 ft.

What is flood stage for the French Broad River at Rosman?

The official flood stage is 9.00 ft. The level is currently 6.92 ft below it.

What is a normal level for the French Broad River at Rosman in mid-October?

The median for mid-October is 2.22 ft. In 8 years out of 10 the reading falls between 1.92 ft and 2.66 ft, based on 31 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 French Broad River at Rosman today?

On Oct 20, 2026, 03:15 AM EDT, the water level was 2.08 ft. Steady over the last 24 hours.

Is French Broad River at Rosman rising or falling?

Steady over the last 24 hours. Down 0.25 ft over the last 7 days.

Is the level of French Broad River at Rosman normal?

Normal for mid-October. Compared with 31 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:03439000 (Agency page)
Coordinates: 35.14333, -82.82472 (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	2.08 ft	2026-10-20 07:15	Provisional
Flow	99.6 cfs	2026-10-20 07:15	Provisional

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How to cite

U.S. Geological Survey: French Broad River at Rosman (usgs:03439000). Accessed October 20, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/north-carolina/french-broad-river-at-rosman

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