River stage
Cape Fear River
- River level
- Normal
- Status
- Below flood stage
Latest readings 2026-10-13 | NWS · USGS
- Gauges reporting
- 8 of 8
- Above flood stage
- 0
- Above action stage
- 0
- Overall
- Below flood stage
- Publisher
- NWS · USGS
In brief
On Oct 13, 2026, 8 of 8 gauges on the Cape Fear River reported, and none was above flood stage.
Source: National Weather Service and USGS gauges
Cape Fear River levels, gauge by gauge
The Cape Fear River is measured at 8 gauges. Flood stages are set per gauge, so the same river is "high" at one town and normal at the next.
| Location | Level | Status |
|---|---|---|
| NWS gauge CFEN7 | 10.83 ft | no flood stage set |
| Elizabethtown | 11.27 ft | normal, steady |
| Fayetteville | 9.99 ft | normal, steady |
| Lillington | 2.26 ft | normal, falling |
| Lock 1 | 15.06 ft | below flood stage |
| Southport | 0.24 ft | no flood stage set |
| W.O. Huske Lock | 33.62 ft | below flood stage |
| Wilmington | 4.43 ft | normal, steady |
Recent levels on the Cape Fear River
The gauge with the fullest recent record on this river is Fayetteville, NC, with 122 days of readings.
Other rivers nearby
- Beaver Creek (NC) 4 gauges
- New River (NC) 3 gauges
- Black River (NC, SC) 9 gauges
- Waccamaw River 9 gauges
- Neuse River 9 gauges
- Pee Dee River 13 gauges
- Crabtree Creek 6 gauges
- Tar River 10 gauges
Frequently asked questions
Is the Cape Fear River flooding right now?
No. Every one of the 8 reporting gauges on the Cape Fear River is below flood stage as of 2026-10-13.
How high is the Cape Fear River?
The river is measured at several points and each reads a different height. Elizabethtown is at 11.27 ft; Fayetteville is at 9.99 ft; Lillington is at 2.26 ft; Wilmington is at 4.43 ft.
Where is the Cape Fear River measured?
The National Weather Service and USGS operate 8 gauges on the Cape Fear River in North Carolina.
What does flood stage mean?
Flood stage is the height at which a river begins to cause problems at that specific location. It is set per gauge, so the same river can be above flood stage in one town and normal a few miles downstream. Action stage is the lower level at which forecasters start watching closely.
River stages and flood categories from the NOAA National Weather Service; daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.