River stage
Fletcher, French Broad River
- River level
- 7.90 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- +4.09 ft
- Recent high
- 11.64 ft
- Recent low
- 3.45 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS FLCN7
- 30-day change
- +4.22 ft
- Average
- 4.32 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 30.61 ft
In brief
The French Broad River at Fletcher, NC read 7.90 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 2.10 ft below action stage. That is 4.22 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge FLCN7
Water 63 °F (17 °C) · 4 °F warmer than normal for this date · -1 °F in 24 hours
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30.61 ft | 2024-09-27 |
| 2 | 20.13 ft | 2004-09-08 |
| 3 | 17.54 ft | 2004-09-17 |
| 4 | 15.62 ft | 2013-05-06 |
| 5 | 15.31 ft | 2024-01-10 |
| 6 | 15.30 ft | 2018-05-19 |
| 7 | 15.01 ft | 2013-07-06 |
| 8 | 14.81 ft | 2009-09-22 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 10.00 ft
Action/Advisory Stage. The French Broad River has exceeded bankfull at the gauge site. Isolated farmland flooding is beginning across the French Broad River Valley from Etowah downstream to Avery Creek upstream of the gauge site.
- 11.50 ft
Action Stage Flooding continues. Butler Bridge Rd. is inundated with up to 6 inches of floodwaters from the French Broad River, forcing road closure.
- 12.00 ft
Action Stage continues. Glenn Bridge Park river access is experiencing minor flooding. Westfeldt Park is experiencing scattered flooding. French Broad River floodwaters are causing isolated to widely scattered farmland flooding.
- 13.00 ft
Minor Flood Stage. French Broad River floodwaters are now inundating Banner Farm Rd. Floodwaters may be approaching portions of Glenn Bridge Rd. Farmland and other low-lying areas within the French Broad River Valley from Etowah to Avery Creek are experiencing scattered flooding. Glenn Bridge Park and river access is experiencing scattered flooding.
- 15.00 ft
Minor Flooding continues. French Broad River floodwaters may be impacting several roads within the valley, resulting in road closures including along Glenn Bridge Rd., Pinner Rd., Butler Bridge Rd., Nelson Rd., Banner Farm Rd., Brannon Rd., Old Brevard Hwy., and Ladson Rd. Widespread farmland flooding is ongoing with floodwaters impacting some residential and commercial property and outbuildings. Adjacent parks and river access points along the reach of the river are experiencing significant inundation.
- 17.00 ft
Moderate Flood Stage. Significant inundation of several roads within the French Broad River Valley from Etowah to Avery Creek is ongoing. Floodwaters may be approaching vulnerable homes and businesses within the valley. Floodwater levels are similar to those levels observed during Hurricane Ivan in mid-September, 2004.
- 20.00 ft
Major Flood Stage. Significant and damaging flooding of the French Broad River Valley is likely from Etowah upstream to Avery Creek and Biltmore Park downstream of the gauge site.
- 20.10 ft
Record Flood Stage. Floodwaters are approaching levels similar to those levels observed in during Hurricane Frances in early September, 2004.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the French Broad River flooding at Fletcher?
No. The French Broad River at Fletcher is at 7.9 ft, 2.1 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Fletcher?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 10 ft, minor flooding 13 ft, moderate flooding 17 ft and major flooding 20 ft.
What is the highest the French Broad River has been at Fletcher?
The highest crest on record is 30.61 ft, on 2024-09-27.
Is the French Broad River high or low right now at Fletcher?
At 7.9 ft it is higher than 97% of readings over the last 122 days.
How warm is the water at Fletcher, French Broad River?
The water temperature at Fletcher, French Broad River is 63 °F (17.1 °C), measured 6:30 pm by USGS, which is 4 °F warmer than normal for this date over the past ten years. It has fallen 1.4 °F in the last 24 hours.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge FLCN7); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 03447687). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.