River stage
Lillington, Cape Fear River
- River level
- 2.26 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- -0.21 ft
- Recent high
- 3.87 ft
- Recent low
- 1.00 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS LLLN7
- 30-day change
- -0.25 ft
- Average
- 2.06 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 33.19 ft
In brief
The Cape Fear River at Lillington, NC read 2.26 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 10.74 ft below action stage. That is 0.25 ft lower than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge LLLN7
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 33.19 ft | 1945-09-19 |
| 2 | 27.55 ft | 1929-10-02 |
| 3 | 21.27 ft | 2018-09-18 |
| 4 | 19.41 ft | 2016-10-09 |
| 5 | 18.97 ft | 1996-09-07 |
| 6 | 17.98 ft | 2018-11-14 |
| 7 | 15.85 ft | 2024-08-09 |
| 8 | 15.59 ft | 1987-03-01 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 13.00 ft
Action stage. The Cape Fear River reaches bankfull.
- 14.00 ft
Minor flooding begins. The boat launch ramp and wooden deck at Mermaid Point Restaurant are flooded.
- 17.00 ft
Water threatens homes upstream on Riverside Hills Drive.
- 19.00 ft
Moderate flooding begins. The storm drains on the north bank are inundated and water reaches the water treatment plant. Homes on Riverside Hills Drive are flooded.
- 27.00 ft
Major flooding begins. Flooding reaches Mermaid Point Restaurant on the south bank.
- 30.00 ft
Water reaches the base of the northbound Highway 421 bridge.
- 34.00 ft
Water reaches the road surface of the northbound 421 bridge.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Cape Fear River flooding at Lillington?
No. The Cape Fear River at Lillington is at 2.26 ft, 10.74 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Lillington?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 13 ft, minor flooding 14 ft, moderate flooding 19 ft and major flooding 27 ft.
What is the highest the Cape Fear River has been at Lillington?
The highest crest on record is 33.19 ft, on 1945-09-19.
Is the Cape Fear River high or low right now at Lillington?
At 2.26 ft it is higher than 49% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge LLLN7); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 02102500). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.