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This probabilistic forecast is issued by the Southeast River Forecast Center.
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About this graph
Forecasts for the Cape Fear River at W.O. Huske Lock are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available.
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Upstream Gauge - at Fayetteville Upstream Gauge Downstream Gauge Downstream Gauge - at Elizabethtown
Zoom Level:16
Flood Categories (in feet)
Major Flood Stage: 65
Moderate Flood Stage: 55
Flood Stage: 42
Action Stage: 41
Low Stage (in feet): -9999

Historic Crests
(1) 75.50 ft on 09/22/1945
(2) 70.73 ft on 09/20/2018
(3) 68.46 ft on 10/10/2016
(4) 63.26 ft on 03/06/1952
(5) 61.92 ft on 10/07/1964
Show More Historic Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Recent Crests
(1) 45.27 ft on 03/02/2021
(2) 51.35 ft on 02/17/2021
(3) 43.20 ft on 02/09/2021
(4) 42.74 ft on 01/30/2021
(5) 51.30 ft on 01/04/2021
Show More Recent Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Low Water Records
(1) 29.43 ft on 08/13/2002
(2) 32.84 ft on 09/11/2007
(3) 33.00 ft on 06/01/2007
(4) 33.01 ft on 08/26/2007
(5) 33.03 ft on 10/26/2009
Show More Low Water Records
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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
79.3 Water will reach the elevation of the instrument shelter in the USGS well house. Extensive flooding can be expected along both banks of the river but will cover a greater area on the east side. Much of the area between Marsh Road and Tabor Church Road is flooded as is much of the area between Burney Road and NC 87. Hundreds of residences in these areas will be isolated or flooded.
76.5 Water will reach the floor in the USGS well house. Extensive flooding will continue along both banks of the river.
75.5 Flood of record due to Homestead Hurricane in 1945. Extensive flooding can be expected along both banks of the river but covers greater area on the east side. Much of area between Marsh Road and Tabor Church Road will be flooded as is much of the area between Burney Road and NC 87. Hundreds of residences in these areas will be isolated or flooded. At the gage site, flood waters will reach within eight inches of the floor of the lockmasters residence.
70 Flooding similar to Hurricane Florence in 2018. Flooding affects areas along both side of Matt Hair Road and Dr. Cogdell Road and these roads may also be flooded. Hair Road may also be flooded. Flooding off River Road, Tar Heel Road, NC 87, and Burney Road also worsens. Dozens of residences in the area may be isolated and several homes at the lowest elevations may be flooded. For those not isolated, many normal travel routes may be flooded or closed including NC 53 near White Oak.
68 Flooding similar to Hurricane Matthew in 2016. Flooding worsens off Matt Hair Road and Dr. Cogdell Road and these roads may also be flooded. Flooding off River Road, Tar Heel Road, NC 87, and Burney Road also worsens. Dozens of residences in the area may be isolated and the homes at the lowest elevations may be flooded. For those not isolated, many normal travel routes may be flooded or closed including NC 53 near White Oak.
65 Flooding worsens off Matt Hair Road and Dr. Cogdell Road and some residences may be isolated or begin to be affected by the flood waters. A few additional residences along River Road and between NC 87 and the river may be isolated or begin to be affected by flooding. Flooding along Tar Heel Ferry road worsens. Water will approach the road in front of the lockmasters residence at the gage site.
62 Flood waters begin to affect areas between the river and Matt Hair Road in Cumberland County and between the river and Dr. Cogdell Road in Bladen County. Flooding along Tar Heel Ferry Road worsens and additional residences are threatened by flood waters. River Road and Burney Road west and east of White Oak willy likely be impassable.
60 Flooding will worsen in already affected buildings and deepen on River Road and Burney Road west and east of White Oak respectively. Flood waters may threaten residences along Tar Heel Ferry Road east of the river.
58 Water may begin to get into a few buildings along the river and its tributaries. Flood waters may begin to affect portions of River Road west of White Oak and Burney Road east of White Oak.
55 Extensive lowland flooding will occur along the river. A few buildings along the river and its tributaries upstream and downstream of the gage will be isolated by flood waters. The lower part of the USGS well house will be flooded.
52 Extensive lowland flooding will occur along the river. A few buildings along the river and its tributaries may become isolated by flood waters. Water levels will reach the door sill of the USGS well house.
50 Extensive lowland flooding will occur along the river. The wildlife boat ramp at Tar Heel Ferry Road will likely be inaccessible.
48 The access road for the wildlife boat ramp at Tar Heel Ferry Road may be flooded.
47 The access road for the wildlife boat ramp at Tar Heel Ferry Road may begin to flood. Lowland flooding along the river worsens along both sides of the river.
45 Flood waters will affect lowlands along the east bank of the river with some minor overflow along the west bank.
42 Water levels will top the navigational lock and equipment must be removed. Minor flooding will occur on land adjacent to the east bank of the river.

Other Real-time and/or Archive Data Sources:

Additional Information Collapse
Potential River Levels - Used to
Potential River Levels
Used to Estimate the Chance of Flooding and the Range of Possible River Levels
10 Day (HEFS) 10 Day (NAEFS) 10 Day (GEFS)
HEFS Ensemble NAEFS Ensemble GEFS Ensemble

Note: The official hydrograph at the top of this web page was made by a river forecaster using past rainfall and forecast rainfall for the next 48 hours. The Potential River Level graphics are computer generated and most useful for rain expected beyond 48 hours.

Click individual graphics to enlarge.

Collaborative Agencies Collapse
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
Wilmington Weather Forecast Office
2015 Gardner Drive
Wilmington, NC 28405
(910) 762-4289
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Page last modified: 2-Nov-2020 7:30 PM
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