USGS Station 03459500 • Lat 35.6350°, Long -82.9900° • Elevation North Carolina Basin
Flow is in the bottom decile (below 10th percentile). Expect shallow sections, exposed rocks, and slower current.
Flow is in the lowest historical decile. Expect skinny-water presentations and higher wading pressure on fish.
Conditions change quickly. Always verify locally and use your own judgment before entering any body of water. This data is informational only and provided as-is.
Pins show this gauge (highlighted) and up to 5 nearby USGS stations. Tap any pin or use the list to check conditions upstream or downstream.
French Broad River at Asheville, NC
USGS Station 03451500 • 23.2070938568092 mi away
Tuckasegee River at Bryson City, NC
USGS Station 03513000 • 29.4227313669071 mi away
Little Tennessee River near Prentiss, NC
USGS Station 03500000 • 40.060188495567 mi away
Nantahala River near Hewitt, NC
USGS Station 03505550 • 43.6863832342125 mi away
Nolichucky River at Embreeville, TN
USGS Station 03465500 • 48.0082100016736 mi away
Guide or outfit trips near Pigeon River near Hepco, NC?
Connect directly with river runners checking water levels on station #03459500.
Verified answers based on USGS station #03459500 live telemetry and historical statistics.
The current water level (stage height) at Pigeon River near Hepco, NC (USGS #03459500) is 1.86 ft with a streamflow discharge of 214 CFS. Real-time condition is rated Low (below average for this specific day of the year) and stream levels are falling.
Normal seasonal flow for Pigeon River near Hepco, NC is determined from decades of USGS daily-mean discharge percentiles. Flow between the 10th percentile (255 CFS) and 75th percentile (705 CFS) is classified as Normal, with the historical daily mean flow being 293 CFS for this date.
The official National Weather Service (NWS) flood stage for USGS #03459500 is 7 feet. With current water level at 1.86 ft, this station is currently below flood stage (margin of 5.1 ft).
USGS gauge #03459500 (Pigeon River near Hepco, NC) is located at latitude 35.6350°, longitude -82.9900° in North Carolina. Data is transmitted via USGS GOES satellite telemetry every 15 to 60 minutes and refreshed automatically on ClearGauge every 15 minutes.
Current flow is rated Low. Flow is below normal seasonal levels. Expect shallow shoals, exposed bedrock, and slower navigation. Always inspect rapids in person, wear a USCG-approved PFD, and check weather alerts before launching.
National Water Information System (NWIS) • Automated satellite telemetry transmission every 15 to 60 minutes.
Live readings via USGS satellite telemetry, updated every 15–60 minutes. Low / Normal / High verdicts are based on the 10th and 75th percentile discharge thresholds from the USGS Daily Statistics Service (decades of approved daily-mean data). Flood Risk uses the NWS published flood stage where available. Full methodology →
River Safety Notice
River conditions can change abruptly due to upstream reservoir releases, sudden mountain thunderstorms, flash flooding, and seasonal snowmelt surges. Always scout rapids prior to commitment, wear an approved USCG Type III/V Personal Flotation Device (PFD), carry appropriate rescue gear, and check local emergency management bulletins before launching.
