Right now
French Broad River gauges
Readings are every 15 minutes from the U.S. Geological Survey, shown hourly for the last seven days. The page checks USGS again each time it opens.
French Broad River near Newport
USGS gauge 03455000
Latest reading 12:45 AM EDT, Thu, Oct 1
Flow
718 cfs
Down 56 cfs in 24 hours
7-day range 678 to 2,290 cfs
Gauge height
2.05 ft
Steady over 24 hours
7-day range 2.02 to 2.94 ft
Float trips
Floating and paddling the French Broad River
The French Broad Paddle Trail runs from North Carolina into Tennessee, with numbered mileposts.
Del Rio to Bridgeport
Bridgeport to Rankin Bridge
Paddle Trail mileposts 134 to 146.
No published flow range was found for the Tennessee section.
Put-ins and take-outs
Bigger purchases
Gear compared for floating the French Broad River
The electronics, motors, boats and batteries that cost real money, compared side by side with the Tennessee water each one suits. Affiliate links.
Dam releases
Dams on the French Broad River
Part of the French Broad River is controlled by releases from Douglas Dam. When generators are running, the river below the dam rises quickly. The generation schedule for each dam is on its lake page.
USGS readings from the French Broad River, refreshed each time the page opens.
Eating what you catch
French Broad River fish consumption advisory
TDEC’s fish consumption advisory for French Broad River, from its August 2026 list of posted waters.
From Tennessee River to Douglas Dam. (32.1 miles)
Mercury
Precautionary advisory for Black Bass (largemouth, smallmouth, spotted).Precautionary means: Children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers should not consume the fish species named. All other persons should limit consumption of the named species to one meal per month.
From Rankin Bridge (River mile 71.4) to Hwy 321 (River mile 77.5)
Mercury
Precautionary advisory for largemouth bass.*Precautionary means: Children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers should not consume the fish species named. All other persons should limit consumption of the named species to one meal per month.
Weather
French Broad River weather and wind forecast
Thu, Oct 1 night
57°F
Mostly Clear
Wind 0 mph
0% chance of rain
Thu, Oct 1
88°F
Sunny
Wind W 0 to 5 mph
0% chance of rain
Thu, Oct 1 night
62°F
Mostly Clear
Wind 0 mph
0% chance of rain
Fri, Oct 2
88°F
Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Wind S 0 to 10 mph
40% chance of rain
Fri, Oct 2 night
66°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Wind NW 0 to 5 mph
54% chance of rain
Sat, Oct 3
79°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
Wind NE 0 to 5 mph
83% chance of rain
National Weather Service forecast, updated 1:06 AM, Thu, Oct 1.
Sun and moon, Fri, Oct 9
USGS readings from the French Broad River, refreshed each time the page opens.
Go fishing
Where to get on the French Broad River
Common questions
French Broad River level and paddling questions
Where are the French Broad River gauges?
USGS runs 1 gauge used on this page: French Broad River near Newport.
What does cfs mean on the French Broad River?
Cubic feet per second: the volume of water passing the gauge each second. It is the best single number for how big the river is running. Gauge height is the water surface against a fixed point at that gauge and only compares with readings from the same gauge.
How often do the French Broad River readings update?
USGS gauges record every 15 minutes and usually report within an hour. This page checks USGS each time it opens and shows the time of the latest reading.
Why does the French Broad River rise and fall during the day?
Dam releases. When the dam upstream generates, the water below it rises within minutes and drops again when generation stops. The dam’s schedule is linked on this page.
Can you float the French Broad River?
The French Broad Paddle Trail runs from North Carolina into Tennessee, with numbered mileposts. Sections on this page: Del Rio to Bridgeport (7.9 miles); Bridgeport to Rankin Bridge (12 miles).
What is a good level to paddle the French Broad River?
No published flow range was found for the Tennessee section.
Where can you put in on the French Broad River?
Access points listed on this page: Wolf Creek, Rankin, Walters Bridge. Each one links to driving directions.
Do you need a life jacket to kayak the French Broad River?
Yes. Tennessee requires a wearable life jacket for each person in a canoe or kayak, and anyone under 13 has to wear one while underway. Canoes and kayaks without a motor do not need to be registered.
River readings come from the U.S. Geological Survey and are provisional, as USGS publishes them. Forecasts come from the National Weather Service. Sunrise, sunset and moon phase are calculated for the location. Tennessee Fishing Spots is not affiliated with USGS or NWS.
Keep going
More the French Broad River water, and who fishes it
Every guide and charter on this site is listed by the water they run, so you can call the captain direct. Licences, limits and the state record list are one click away too.