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This probabilistic forecast is issued by the Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center.
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About this graph
Forecasts for the Oconaluftee River at Birdtown are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available.
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Zoom Level:14
Flood Categories (in feet)
Major Flood Stage: 13
Moderate Flood Stage: 12
Flood Stage: 10
Action Stage: 8
Low Stage (in feet): -9999

Historic Crests
(1) 18.00 ft on 11/19/1906
(2) 14.50 ft on 03/27/1913
(3) 12.46 ft on 12/30/1969
(4) 12.29 ft on 03/16/1973
(5) 12.00 ft on 01/07/1946
Show More Historic Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Recent Crests
(1) 7.76 ft on 12/02/2015
(2) 5.11 ft on 10/14/2014
(3) 7.74 ft on 02/03/2014
(4) 9.37 ft on 01/15/2013
(5) 5.78 ft on 12/07/2011
Show More Recent Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Low Water Records
(1) 0.66 ft on 10/19/1954
(2) 0.69 ft on 11/08/1987
(3) 0.73 ft on 10/04/2007
(4) 0.75 ft on 09/08/2007
(5) 0.86 ft on 09/13/2002
Show More Low Water Records
KML Image
Gauge LocationGauge Map Marker
Disclaimer
Latitude/Longitude Disclaimer: The gauge location shown in the above map is the approximate location based on the latitude/longitude coordinates provided to the NWS by the gauge owner.
Flood Impacts & Photos Collapse
If you notice any errors in the below information, please contact our Webmaster
18 Record flooding will be observed.
17 Expect most stores, motels, and other businesses in Birdtown and Cherokee, as well as parts of Highways 19a and 441, to be flooded.
15 Many buildings will likely be flooded in Birdtown between McCoy Branch Rd. and Adams Creek Rd.
13 Businesses and hotels in Birdtown and Cherokee may begin to flood.
12 Some homes along the river near Cherokee and Birdtown may begin to flood. Parts of Highway 19A may also be covered with water.
11.5 Water approaches US 19 just west of Goose Creek Rd.
10 Parts 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.
9 Water 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.
8 Flooding will be likely upstream along the Oconaluftee River in the Yellow Hill community especially along White Water Drive.
3.5 3.5 inch in headwaters in 12 hrs caused the river to rise from 1.83 ft to 7.71 ft
2.5 2.5 to 3.0 basin avg in 8 hr in headwaters will cause a 6 ft rise on river.
1.1 1.25 basin average in 5 hours in headwaters caused a 2.3 ft rise.
Photos
(1) gage site at Birdtown NC
(2) looking upstream on Oconaluftee River
(3) looking downstream on Oconaluftee River

Other Real-time and/or Archive Data Sources:

Additional Information Collapse
Expermental Ensemble Quantitative Precipitation Forecast (QPF) Hydrographs for this site are now available at: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/crh/rfc/RFCoutputMap.php?gph=P&lid=BIRN7&hsa=GSP&rfc=lmrfc (best view with FireFox software)
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The National Weather Service prepares its forecasts and other services in collaboration with agencies like the US Geological Survey, US Bureau of Reclamation, US Army Corps of Engineers, Natural Resource Conservation Service, National Park Service, ALERT Users Group, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and many state and local emergency managers across the country. For details, please click here.
NWS Information
National Weather Service
Greenville-Spartanburg Weather Forecast Office
1549 GSP Drive
Greer, SC 29651
(864) 848-3859
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Page last modified: 2-Nov-2020 7:30 PM
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