Cape Fear River at W.O. Huske Lock, NC
River level and flood forecast · Bladen County
Normal33.6 ftas of Mon 4 PM
The river is 8.4 ft below flood stage (42 ft).
Forecast to hold near 33.6 ft through Sat, Oct 17, 8 AM.
Flow: 1,240 cubic feet per second (USGS).
The last 7 days and the forecast
NWS forecast issued Mon, Oct 12, 11:33 AM. Forecasts change as rain falls and as upstream water arrives.
Flood stages
| Major flood stage | 65 ft |
| Moderate flood stage | 55 ft |
| Flood stage | 42 ft |
| Action stage | 41 ft |
| Record crest (September 22, 1945) | 75.5 ft |
What floods at each level
From the National Weather Service, highest first.
- 79.3 ftWater 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.
- 76.5 ftWater will reach the floor in the USGS well house. Extensive flooding will continue along both banks of the river.
- 75.5 ftFlood 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.
- 70 ftFlooding 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.
- 68 ftFlooding 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.
- 65 ftFlooding 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.
- 62 ftFlood 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.
- 60 ftFlooding 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.
- 58 ftWater 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.
- 55 ftExtensive 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.
- 52 ftExtensive 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.
- 50 ftExtensive lowland flooding will occur along the river. The wildlife boat ramp at Tar Heel Ferry Road will likely be inaccessible.
- 48 ftThe access road for the wildlife boat ramp at Tar Heel Ferry Road may be flooded.
- 47 ftThe 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.
- 45 ftFlood waters will affect lowlands along the east bank of the river with some minor overflow along the west bank.
- 42 ftWater 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.
Highest crests on record
- 75.5 ft — September 22, 1945
- 70.73 ft — September 20, 2018
- 68.46 ft — October 10, 2016
- 63.26 ft — March 6, 1952
- 61.92 ft — October 7, 1964
Recent crests: 46.7 ft (September 29, 2024) · 46.87 ft (September 20, 2024) · 47.58 ft (September 18, 2024) · 56.64 ft (August 10, 2024) · 43.35 ft (March 30, 2024)
Up and down the river, and nearby
- UpstreamCape Fear River at Fayetteville, NC
- Big Swamp near Tarheel, NC
- Beaver Creek (NC) at Cumberland, NC
- Blounts Creek at Winslow St at Fayetteville, NC
- Cross Creek NC at Blue Street at Fayetteville, NC
- Lumber River at Lumberton West 5th Street, NC
- Tank Creek at Butner Rd at Ft Bragg, NC
- Rockfish Creek near Raeford, NC
Not an official source. River levels, forecasts, flood stages and impacts are from the National Weather Service (STPN7); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.