French Broad River at Rosman, NC

River level and flood forecast · Transylvania County

Normal2.5 ftas of Mon 4:15 PM

The river is 6.5 ft below flood stage (9 ft).

Flow: 219 cubic feet per second (USGS).

The last 7 days and the forecast

NWS forecast issued Sun, Dec 31, 7 PM. Forecasts change as rain falls and as upstream water arrives.

Flood stages

Major flood stage	14 ft
Moderate flood stage	13 ft
Flood stage	9 ft
Action stage	7 ft
Record crest (October 4, 1964)	14.95 ft

What floods at each level

From the National Weather Service, highest first.

15 ftMajor flooding continues. Extremely rare and catastrophic flooding of the French Broad River is ongoing with disastrous impacts to property, including within the town of Rosman. Flood waters may surround the water treatment plant and power substation near the French Broad River.
14 ftMajor Flood Stage. Extremely rare and catastrophic flooding of the French Broad River is developing with disastrous impacts to property. Extensive flooding of homes and businesses between US 178 and Main St is developing. Basements near the river will be inundated with at least 4-7 feet of water. Homes along E Depot St will see inundation up to 2 feet deep. Floodwater levels will be similar to those that occurred in August 2021 during Tropical Cyclone Fred.
13 ftModerate flooding continues. Extensive flooding of homes and businesses between US 178 and Main St is developing. Basements near the river will be inundated with at least 2-4 feet of water. Floodwaters will begin entering homes along E Depot St. Significant flooding of upstream commercial property near the confluence of the N Fork and W Fork French Broad rivers is developing. Floodwater levels will be similar to those that occurred in August 2021 immediately preceding Tropical Cyclone Fred.
12 ftModerate Flood Stage. Unusual, damaging flooding is developing adjacent to the French Broad River with considerable impacts to property and travel. Significant flooding reaching 4-6 ft deep is ongoing for low-lying areas and low-water crossings. Secondary roads, outbuildings, crawl spaces, and/or basements may be experiencing flooding reaching 2-4 feet deep, including along Chestnut St, Main St, and US 178. Some homes and businesses may be stranded. Significant impacts to travel are likely.
11 ftMinor flooding continues. The French Broad River is approaching homes along Depot St. in Rosman likely requiring evacuations. Additionally, floodwaters will inundate US 178 adjacent to the gauge site and require closure.
10 ftMinor flooding continues. Extensive flooding of low-lying secondary roads, including E Depot St, Hannah Ford Rd, Island Ford Rd, and Green Rd, is ongoing.
9 ftMinor Flood Stage. Common, deeper flooding of low-lying areas adjacent to the French Broad River is developing with lesser impacts to vulnerable property. More significant floodwaters are beginning to impact low-lying areas, with inundation approximately 2-4 ft deep. Adjacent campgrounds, 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, including E. Main St. and Depot St.
8 ftAction Stage/Advisory flooding continues. Widespread flooding of adjacent low-lying areas is ongoing along the upper French Broad River. Hannah Ford, Island Ford, and Green Rds are experiencing flooding and are likely impassible.
7 ftAction/Advisory Stage. Common, nuisance flooding of low-lying areas adjacent to the French Broad River is beginning. Hannah Ford, Island Ford, and Green Rds may begin to flood with up to 1 foot of inundation. 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.

Highest crests on record

14.95 ft — October 4, 1964
14.74 ft — September 27, 2024
14.12 ft — August 17, 1994
14.11 ft — August 17, 2021
13.9 ft — July 1, 1916

Recent crests: 14.74 ft (September 27, 2024) · 14.11 ft (August 17, 2021) · 13.38 ft (August 16, 2021) · 11.17 ft (February 3, 2016) · 9.42 ft (February 3, 2016)

Up and down the river, and nearby

See it on the live map →Radar & warnings for Transylvania County NWS gauge page USGS gauge 03439000

Not an official source. River levels, forecasts, flood stages and impacts are from the National Weather Service (ROSN7); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.