Gauge Description:

The readings above are for the Oconaluftee River, which is the next drainage to the south of Big Creek.

Lower Big Creek is almost certainly running when the Oconaluftee is between 1,200 and 2,700 cfs; it is generally running when the Oconoluftee is as low 850 cfs.

Once at the creek, confirm the level using the gauge painted on the river right piling of the bridge next to the picnic area near the confluence of Big Creek and the Big Pigeon.

1.6' minimum level
2'-2.5' optimal
3.0'+ high water creekin'

It is often true that when the TVA's Little Pigeon at Sevierville (not the same as the USGS's Little Pigeon at Sevierville) gauge is between 1,500 and 3,000 cfs, Big Creek is running.

Oconaluftee R nr Birdtown [ NC ]

Current Conditions Stage Flow Updated 0.92 116 9/6 23:45 Station Graphs

Linked Reaches

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Level Legend:

Running

Below Minimum Recommended Flow

Above Maximum Recommended Flow

Unknown

Descriptions of reaches with River Name in bold have been verified by a regional StreamTeam member.

State	River Name/Section	Class	Level	Rel. Level	Updated
NC	Big Creek— 1. Walnut Bottom to NPS Campground	IV-V	116 cfs	low	9/6 23:45
NC	Big Creek— 2. NPS Campground to Confluence with Big Pigeon	IV	116 cfs	low	9/6 23:45
NC	Oconaluftee— 2. Smokemont Campground to Birdtown	II-III	116 cfs		9/6 23:45
NC	Raven Fork— 1. Right Fork to Enloe Creek Trail	IV-V	116 cfs	low	9/6 23:45
NC	Raven Fork— 2. Enloe Creek Trail to Big Cove Road	V+	116 cfs	low	9/6 23:45
NC	Raven Fork— 3. Job Corps Bridge to Confluence with Oconalufftee	II-III+(IV)	116 cfs	low	9/6 23:45
NC	Straight Fork— Round Bottom to Raven Fork	III-IV	116 cfs	low	9/6 23:45

Station Description

AW Gauge ID:	1778
USGS Station:	03512000
HUC:	06010203
Latitude:	35.4614
Longitude:	-83.3536
Class:	4