River stage
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS ELZN7
In brief
The Cape Fear River at Elizabethtown, NC read 11.27 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 8.73 ft below action stage.
Source: National Weather Service gauge ELZN7
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 43.20 ft | 1945-09-23 |
| 2 | 42.51 ft | 2018-09-21 |
| 3 | 39.10 ft | 1928-09-23 |
| 4 | 38.90 ft | 1929-10-06 |
| 5 | 36.44 ft | 2016-10-11 |
| 6 | 35.70 ft | 1928-09-09 |
| 7 | 34.80 ft | 1936-04-10 |
| 8 | 34.20 ft | 1919-07-25 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
The river will spread into lowlands along the river and will begin to flood lowlands in Tory Hole Park.
The river will spread further into lowlands along the river.
The river will continue to spread farther into lowlands along the river and may begin to affect building access roads closer to the river.
Flood waters will reach the top of the navigational lock. The river will spread farther into lowlands, affecting building access roads closer to the river. A few buildings closer to the river may be cutoff by the flood waters. The lower part of Cape Owen Manor Road may begin to flood.
Floodwaters will affect farmers' fields adjacent to the river requiring the movement of farm equipment to higher ground. The lower part of Cape Owen Manor Road may become impassable.
Flooding of farmers fields adjacent to the river will worsen. Larrimore Lane may begin to flood.
Flood waters may isolate residences off Larrimore Lane and Riverview Drive as Larrimore Lane becomes impassable. Dozens of buildings nearer the river may become isolated within several miles of Elizabethtown. Flooding may also affect Beagle Run Lane. Flooding of farm fields near the river worsens as does lowland flooding.
Flood waters may isolate a few residences off Beagle Run Lane and flooding may occur along Rob Smith Lane. A couple of buildings nearer the river off Barney Coe Road may become isolated by flood waters. Elsewhere along the river, flooding worsens both upstream and downstream of Elizabethtown.
Flood waters may get near residences areas along Ellis Creek closer to NC Route 53. Flooding may get near additional residences along Barney Coe Road. Elsewhere along the river, flooding worsens both upstream and downstream of Elizabethtown. Dozens of buildings in the area may be isolated and some may experience flooding.
Flood waters may begin to affect Owen Hill Road near Bakers Creek. Dozens of buildings may be isolated or flooded along the river both upstream and downstream of Elizabethtown. However, most of are in areas between Owen Hill Road and the river as well as NC Route 53 and the river west of U.S. route 701.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
No. The Cape Fear River at Elizabethtown is at 11.27 ft, 8.73 ft below action stage.
The National Weather Service sets action stage 20 ft, minor flooding 25 ft, moderate flooding 35 ft and major flooding 42 ft.
The highest crest on record is 43.2 ft, on 1945-09-23.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge ELZN7). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.