Pigeon River above Old River Rd (NC 215), 1 SW Canton
Flood levels
Official flood levels at this gauge: action stage begins at 8.0 ft; minor flooding begins at 10.0 ft; moderate flooding begins at 15.0 ft; major flooding begins at 19.0 ft.
| Action stage | 8.0 ft |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 10.0 ft |
| Moderate flooding | 15.0 ft |
| Major flooding | 19.0 ft |
Highest recorded crests
- 27.0 ft on Sep 27, 2024 (historic crest)
- 22.8 ft on Sep 17, 2004 (historic crest)
- 20.8 ft on Aug 30, 1940 (historic crest)
- 20.7 ft on Sep 8, 2004 (historic crest)
What the water does
National Weather Service impact statements for this gauge, in the Weather Service's own words.
| 8.0 ft | Action/Advisory Stage. Common, nuisance flooding of low-lying areas adjacent to the Pigeon River is beginning. Floodwaters are beginning to impact farmland, woodlands, nurseries, parks, athletic fields, golf courses, greenways, and boat-access areas with up to 2 feet of inundation. Low-water crossings may be inundated with up to 2 feet of floodwater and become impassable. Adjacent campgrounds, mobile home/RV parks, and secondary roads may experience floodwater inundation of up to 1 foot. |
|---|---|
| 10.0 ft | Minor Flood Stage. Common, deeper flooding of low-lying areas adjacent to the Pigeon River is developing with lesser impacts to vulnerable property. Low-water crossings may be inundated with up to 2-3 ft of floodwaters. Adjacent campgrounds, mobile home/RV parks, secondary roads, and outbuildings may be experiencing flooding up to 1-2 ft deep. Flooding less than 1 ft deep may begin impacting basements and primary roads. Water may approach the yards of some homes on and near Fiberville Road. |
| 11.0 ft | Minor flooding continues. The river will overflow its banks and start to flood low-lying areas in Clyde. |
| 12.0 ft | Minor flooding continues. At this level, the former Champion Paper Company would historically take preventative flood actions at the plant. Areas on the right bank of the river near Canton may begin to flood. This may include residential yards on Fiberville Road and parts of Valley, North, and Conley Streets. |
| 12.5 ft | Minor flooding continues. A trailer park near Old Highway 19 and 23 outside of Clyde may flood. Residential yards along Richland, Hyatt, and Allens Creeks will be in danger of flooding, due to runoff and back water from the Pigeon River. |
| 14.0 ft | Minor Flooding continues. Floodwaters may approach home and business property along Sorrells, Waters, and Penland Streets. |
| 14.5 ft | Minor flooding continues. Floodwaters may approach the lowest-elevations of business property in Canton. |
| 15.5 ft | Homes in Fibreville and Clyde near the Pigeon River may be flooded. |
| 16.0 ft | Moderate flooding continues. Homes and businesses between the Pigeon River and Hyder Mountain and Thicketty Roads may be flooded. |
| 17.0 ft | Moderate flooding continues. At this level some low-lying areas on the left bank near the former Champion Paper Company will begin to flood. |
| 17.5 ft | Moderate flooding continues. Several bridges in Canton and Fibreville may be closed. |
| 18.0 ft | US Highway 19 and 23 may be flooded and closed in Clyde. |
| 19.0 ft | Major Flood Stage. Extremely rare and catastrophic flooding is developing in Canton with disastrous impacts to property. Extraordinary flooding exceeding 6 ft deep is overwhelming low-lying areas near the Pigeon River. Basements and crawl spaces may be completely submerged. First-floor building elevations in Canton are experiencing ruinous flooding greater than 1 ft deep. Travel may be severely restricted with roadway inundation exceeding 3-4 ft, stranding several homes and businesses. |
| 20.7 ft | Major flooding continues along the Pigeon River. Floodwater levels will be similar to those that occurred on September 8, 2004 during Hurricane Frances. |
| 22.8 ft | Major, catastrophic flooding of areas along the Pigeon River. Floodwater levels will be similar to the levels that occurred on September 17, 2004 during Hurricane Ivan. |
Forecast office: NWS Greer · River Forecast Center: Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center.
Pigeon River above Old River Rd (NC 215), 1 SW Canton in your pocket
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Nearby stations and gauges
- East Fork Pigeon River above Canton NWS gauge · 4.3 mi
- West Fork Pigeon River near Bethel NWS gauge · 5.0 mi
- Pigeon River (NC) near (W Fork) nr Retreat NWS gauge · 7.7 mi
- Richland Creek (NC) at Waynesville NWS gauge · 8.8 mi
- Pigeon River (NC) above (W Fork) Abv Lake Logan NWS gauge · 10.0 mi
- Richland Creek (NC) at Autumn Care NWS gauge · 10.1 mi