Cape Fear River at W.O. Huske Lock
Flood levels
Official flood levels at this gauge: action stage begins at 41.0 ft; minor flooding begins at 42.0 ft; moderate flooding begins at 55.0 ft; major flooding begins at 65.0 ft.
| Action stage | 41.0 ft |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 42.0 ft |
| Moderate flooding | 55.0 ft |
| Major flooding | 65.0 ft |
Highest recorded crests
- 75.5 ft on Sep 22, 1945 (historic crest)
- 70.7 ft on Sep 20, 2018 (historic crest)
- 68.5 ft on Oct 10, 2016 (historic crest)
- 63.3 ft on Mar 6, 1952 (historic crest)
What the water does
National Weather Service impact statements for this gauge, in the Weather Service's own words.
| 42.0 ft | 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. |
|---|---|
| 45.0 ft | Flood waters will affect lowlands along the east bank of the river with some minor overflow along the west bank. |
| 47.0 ft | 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. |
| 48.0 ft | The access road for the wildlife boat ramp at Tar Heel Ferry Road may be flooded. |
| 50.0 ft | Extensive lowland flooding will occur along the river. The wildlife boat ramp at Tar Heel Ferry Road will likely be inaccessible. |
| 52.0 ft | 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. |
| 55.0 ft | 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. |
| 58.0 ft | 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. |
| 60.0 ft | 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. |
| 62.0 ft | 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. |
| 65.0 ft | 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. |
| 68.0 ft | 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. |
| 70.0 ft | 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. |
| 75.5 ft | 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. |
| 76.5 ft | Water will reach the floor in the USGS well house. Extensive flooding will continue along both banks of the river. |
| 79.3 ft | 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. |
Forecast office: NWS Wilmington · River Forecast Center: Southeast River Forecast Center.
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Nearby stations and gauges
- Big Swamp near Tarheel NWS gauge · 8.6 mi
- Rockfish Creek at Research Dr near Fayetteville NWS gauge · 9.7 mi
- Little Rockfish Creek at Lakeview Rd near Hope Mills NWS gauge · 11.7 mi
- Big Swamp at NC Highway 41 NWS gauge · 12.9 mi
- Beaver Creek (NC) at Cumberland NWS gauge · 14.5 mi
- Cape Fear River at Fayetteville NWS gauge · 14.8 mi