South Toe River near Celo water level

Name: South Toe River near Celo 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, South Toe River, North Carolina, United States

Directions

Normal for mid-October

Water level

0.95ft Steady over the last 24 hours

Measured Oct 20, 2026, 05:30 AM EDT (1 hour ago)

Flow: 102 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 South Toe River near Celo reads 0.95 ft, a normal level for mid-October.

The median for mid-October is 0.89 ft, based on 30 years of readings, so the river stage is 0.06 ft above typical. It is 8.05 ft below the flood stage of 9.00 ft. On the same day last year the reading was 0.74 ft, a difference of +0.21 ft.

It has barely moved over the past 24 hours. Over the past 30 days it has moved between 0.67 ft and 3.25 ft.

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

Compared with 30 years of daily readings for this time of year. How to read levels

Key numbers

Median for this date: 0.89 ft0.06 ft above the median for this date
Normal for this date: 0.56 ft – 1.16 ft8 years in 10 fall in this range (30 years of records)
Same day last year: 0.74 ft+0.21 ft
Lowest and highest in 30 days: 0.67 ft – 3.25 ft
Lowest and highest in 12 months: 0.59 ft – 3.25 ft
Highest on record: 26.06 ftSeptember 27, 2024

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 8.05 ft away.

What happens at each level

26.00 ft: Record Flood Stage. Historic flooding is imminent across the S Toe River valley with floodwater levels similar to those during Tropical Cyclone Helene in 2024. Extensive, ruinous flooding is underway with numerous structures within the valley nearly submerged. The former Celo Inn is experiencing first-floor inundation approching 8'. Floodwaters exceeding 10' are impacting several roadways, including NC 80, Hannah Branch Rd, Seven Mile Ridge Rd, McDowell Ridge Rd, Halls Chapel Rd, and Blue Rock Rd.
19.00 ft: Major Flood Stage. Extremely rare and catastrophic flooding of the S Toe River is developing with disastrous impacts to property. Floodwaters are entering the first-floor of the former Celo Inn with imminent, ruinous flooding greater than 1' deep of several homes. Adjacent campgrounds and mobile home/RV parks may be experiencing devastating flooding greater than 4' deep, causing severe damage. Travel may be severely restricted with roadway inundation exceeding 3-4', stranding several residents.
13.00 ft: Moderate Flood Stage. Unusual, damaging flooding is developing adjacent to the S Toe River with considerable impacts to property and travel. Significant flooding reaching 4-6' deep is imminent for low-lying areas and crossings. Adjacent campgrounds may be experiencing dangerous inundation up to 2-4 ft deep, capable of moving RVs and other vehicles. Secondary roads, outbuildings, and crawl spaces/basements may be experiencing flooding reaching 2-4' deep. Some homes and businesses may be stranded.
10.00 ft: Minor flooding continues. S Toe River floodwaters are approaching the road surface on the Seven Mile Ridge Rd bridge. Closure is likely imminent.
9.00 ft: Minor Flood Stage. Common, deeper flooding of low-lying areas adjacent to the S Toe River is developing with lesser impacts to vulnerable property. More significant floodwaters are beginning to impact low-lying areas with inundation ~2-4 ft deep. Low-water crossings may be inundated with up to 2-3 ft of floodwaters. 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 primary roads, including NC 80.
8.00 ft: Action/Advisory Stage flooding continues. Floodwaters are likely beginning to impact secondary roads adjacent to the S Toe River, including Hannah Branch Rd, Seven Mile Ridge Rd, and Halls Chapel Rd.
7.00 ft: Action/Advisory Stage. Common, nuisance flooding of low-lying areas adjacent to S Toe River is beginning. 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 impassible. Adjacent campgrounds, including the S Toe River Campground, and secondary roads may experience floodwater inundation of up to 1 foot
0.95 ft: Right now

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

Highest crests on record

Rank	Level	Date
1	26.06 ft	September 27, 2024
2	17.41 ft	November 6, 1977
3	15.50 ft	September 8, 2004
4	11.62 ft	September 17, 2004
5	10.85 ft	May 30, 2018
6	10.49 ft	August 17, 1994
7	9.91 ft	October 15, 2014
8	9.87 ft	June 20, 1972
9	9.78 ft	January 14, 1995
10	9.47 ft	January 8, 1998

Weather at the gauge

The forecast is not available right now.

Sunrise 07:40 AM Sunset 06:48 PM Daylight 11 hr, 8 min First quarter 67%

Map

Nearby gauges

Gauge	Level	Compared with normal	24 hours	Distance
Catawba River near Pleasant GardensRiver gauge, Catawba River	1.85 ft	Normal	−0.05 ft	12 mi
North Fork Swannanoa River near WalkertownRiver gauge, North Fork Swannanoa River	7.96 ft	Very high	−0.02 ft	13 mi
Linville River near NeboRiver gauge, Linville River	2.21 ft	Very high	+0.10 ft	17 mi
Beetree Creek near SwannanoaRiver gauge, Beetree Creek	1.43 ft	Normal	−0.01 ft	17 mi
Catawba River at Sr1223 below Lake James near BridgewaterRiver gauge, Catawba River	4.08 ft	High	−1.57 ft	21 mi
Ivy River near MarshallRiver gauge, Ivy River	1.98 ft	Normal	−0.01 ft	25 mi
Johns River at Arneys StoreRiver gauge, Johns River	2.42 ft	Normal	−0.04 ft	26 mi
French Broad River at MarshallRiver gauge, French Broad River	1.44 ft	Normal	−0.04 ft	27 mi

Questions and answers

Is the South Toe River near Celo higher than last year?

Yes, it is 0.21 ft higher than on the same day last year, when the reading was 0.74 ft.

What is flood stage for the South Toe River near Celo?

The official flood stage is 9.00 ft. The level is currently 8.05 ft below it.

What is a normal level for the South Toe River near Celo in mid-October?

The median for mid-October is 0.89 ft. In 8 years out of 10 the reading falls between 0.56 ft and 1.16 ft, based on 30 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 South Toe River near Celo today?

On Oct 20, 2026, 05:30 AM EDT, the water level was 0.95 ft. Steady over the last 24 hours.

Is South Toe River near Celo rising or falling?

Steady over the last 24 hours. Down 2.30 ft over the last 7 days.

Is the level of South Toe River near Celo normal?

Normal for mid-October. Compared with 30 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:03463300 (Agency page)
Coordinates: 35.83139, -82.18417 (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	0.95 ft	2026-10-20 09:30	Provisional
Flow	102 cfs	2026-10-20 09:30	Provisional

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How to cite

U.S. Geological Survey: South Toe River near Celo (usgs:03463300). Accessed October 20, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/north-carolina/south-toe-river-near-celo

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