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Swannanoa River at Biltmore, NC (BLTN7)

Data Type




Inundation Levels
NAVD88 Stage

Record Crest: 20.7 ft
1,996.019.7
1,995.519.2
1,995.018.7
1,994.518.2
1,994.017.7
1,993.517.2
1,993.016.7
Major Flooding Begins

1,992.516.2
1,992.015.7
1,991.515.2
1,991.014.7
Moderate Flooding Begins

1,990.514.2
1,990.013.7
1,989.513.2
1,989.012.7
1,988.512.2
1,988.011.7
1,987.511.2
1,987.010.7
1,986.510.2
Minor Flooding Begins

1,986.09.7
1,985.59.2
Near Flooding Begins

1,985.08.7
1,984.58.2
1,984.07.7
1,983.57.2
1,983.06.7
1,982.56.2
1,982.05.7
1,981.55.2
1,981.04.7
1,980.54.2
1,980.03.7
Below Flooding Begins

* = Extended rating
Weather Forecast Office Greenville-Spartanburg, SC Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center
Hydrograph River at a Glance Download Inundation
Mapping
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Click on mapped inundation to see water depth values for that location, or hold shift and drag to zoom to area.

Current Stage:
1.9 ft at 04/19/2024 03:00:00 UTC
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Inundation Legend
Depth in feet
USGS Gauge Location Gauge Location
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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.

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Map Overlays
Flood Categories (in feet)
Major Flood Stage: 16.5
Moderate Flood Stage: 14.5
Flood Stage: 10
Action Stage: 9
Low Stage (in feet): -9999

Historic Crests
(1) 20.70 ft on 07/16/1916
(2) 19.22 ft on 09/08/2004
(3) 19.00 ft on 08/13/1940
(4) 18.74 ft on 08/16/1928
(5) 18.00 ft on 05/01/1945
(6) 17.00 ft on 02/01/1975
(7) 16.74 ft on 09/17/2004
(8) 16.00 ft on 05/21/1901
(9) 15.79 ft on 01/15/1995
(10) 15.34 ft on 08/30/1940
Show More Historic Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Recent Crests
(1) 14.35 ft on 04/19/2019
(2) 12.40 ft on 12/28/2018
(3) 10.82 ft on 10/11/2018
(4) 14.34 ft on 05/30/2018
(5) 9.31 ft on 10/24/2017
(6) 7.82 ft on 02/03/2016
(7) 12.43 ft on 12/29/2015
(8) 9.65 ft on 12/02/2015
(9) 8.97 ft on 07/04/2013
(10) 8.84 ft on 07/03/2013
Show More Recent Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Low Water Records
(1) 0.65 ft on 07/17/1936
(2) 0.85 ft on 07/22/1986
(3) 0.96 ft on 11/07/1939
(4) 0.97 ft on 10/15/1941
(5) 1.01 ft on 09/12/2002
Show More Low Water Records

Graphical representation of flood inundation for NWS flood categories are based on steady state hydraulic modeling of water surface elevations for incremented discharges. Map shows approximate inundation areas for given water surface elevations and should not be used for navigation or permitting or other legal purposes, but strictly as a planning reference tool.

Extended rating:
Rating Curve Extension - The Rating Curve Extension is calculated by using either a linear, logarithmic, or hydraulic technique to extend the rating curve above the currently established relationship between stage and flow.
Flood Impacts Collapse
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26 Record Flood Stage. This stage last occurred in April of 1791 according to Tennessee Valley Authority records. Catastrophic flooding of the Swannanoa River Valley is likely.
21 Major Flooding continues. Devastating flooding of the Swannanoa River Valley is likely. Biltmore Village and surrounding areas in the Swannanoa River Valley are experiencing the worst flooding since measurements began in 1920.
19 Major Flooding continues. Significant flooding around Biltmore Village continues including Brook St., Lodge St., Swan St., Angle St., and Boston Way. Floodwater levels are similar to those which occurred during Hurricane Frances in early September 2004.
16.5 Major Flood Stage. Floodwaters are likely inundating Biltmore Ave. north and south of the Swannanoa River bridge. Significant flooding of adjacent land, roadways, railroads, and buildings between Sweeten Creek Rd. and the Swannanoa River is likely.
15 Moderate Flooding continues. Sweeten Creek Rd. and Brook St. flooding continues between Biltmore Ave. and I-40. Several inches of floodwaters are likely inundating Decatur St., Garfield St., portions of Thompson St., and the first floors of adjacent buildings. Flooding of land, roadways, and buildings between the Swannanoa River and Brook St.-Fairview Rd. is likely.
14.5 Moderate Flood Stage. Sweeten Creek may be flooding portions of Sweeten Creek Rd. between Biltmore Village and I-40. Flooding of parts of Biltmore Village is likely. Swannanoa River floodwaters are impacting roads and buildings between the river and the railroad tracks.
12 Minor Flooding continues. Swannanoa River and Sweeten Creek floodwaters may be flooding the lowest floor of buildings on Garfield St. and Decatur St. The Swannanoa River is likely flooding parts of Swannanoa River Rd. (NC 81) between Biltmore Ave. and Caledonia Rd.
11.5 Minor Flooding continues. Swannanoa River and Sweeten Creek floodwaters are approaching buildings on Garfield St. and Decatur St. and initial flooding of these structures may be imminent.
10 Minor Flood Stage. Backwater effects from the Swannanoa River may be causing flooding along Sweeten Creek forcing floodwaters onto Garfield St. Swannanoa River floodwaters are approaching and may be flooding parts of Swannanoa River Rd. (NC 81), Caledonia Rd., Glendale Ave., and Thompson St.
9 Action Stage. The Swannanoa River has exceeded its banks and is beginning to flood adjacent low-lying areas. The Swannanoa River may be causing backwater effects on Sweeten Creek and Ram Branch, forcing both streams to exceed their banks and flood adjacent low-lying areas.
Photos
(1) Biltmore staff gages- readings are at top of staff gage
(2) Swannanoa River at Biltmore looking downstream
(3) Swannanoa River at Biltmore looking upstream
Other Data Sources Collapse
Additional Information Collapse
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=BLTN7&hsa=GSP&rfc=lmrfc (best view with FireFox software)
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Graphical representation of flood inundation for NWS flood categories are based on steady state hydraulic modeling of water surface elevations for incremented discharges. Map shows approximate inundation areas for given water surface elevations and should not be used for navigation or permitting or other legal purposes, but strictly as a planning reference tool.