What is the average water temperature in North Carolina?

The current average water temperature across North Carolina's monitored water bodies is 67.4°F.

🌡️

North Carolina Water Temperatures

Q: What is the warmest lake in North Carolina today?

Falls Lake Above Dam Nr Falls, Nc at 79°F.

Current lake & river temperatures in North Carolina — updated daily from USGS sensors.

With Data

67.4°F

State Avg

79°F

Warmest

79°F

Warmest

Falls Lake Above Dam Nr Falls, Nc

67.4°F

State Average

100 water bodies

40.5°F

Coldest

Cape Fear R At Wilm O Huske Lock Nr Tarheel, Nc

🏊

Swimming Conditions

⚠️ Brisk — wetsuit recommended

Based on avg 67.4°F

🎣

Fishing Conditions

🎣 Good — trout, walleye, bass

Based on avg 67.4°F

North Carolina — Ranked by Temperature

54 with data

#	Water Body	°F	°C	Condition	🏊	Date
1	Falls Lake Above Dam Nr Falls, Nc Lake	79°	26.1°	☀️ Warm	✅ Good	Jun 5
2	Swift Creek Near Apex, Nc River	77.9°	25.5°	☀️ Warm	✅ Good	Aug 31
3	Neuse River Near Fort Barnwell, Nc River	77.2°	25.1°	☀️ Warm	✅ Good	Jun 4
4	Contentnea Creek At Hookerton, Nc River	77.2°	25.1°	☀️ Warm	✅ Good	Aug 31
5	Pee Dee River Above Jones Creek Near Cordova, Nc River	77°	25°	☀️ Warm	✅ Good	Jun 5
6	Roanoke River At Halifax, Nc River	76.8°	24.9°	☀️ Warm	✅ Good	Jun 5
7	Hyco Lake At Dam Nr Roxboro, Nc Lake	76.8°	24.9°	☀️ Warm	✅ Good	Sep 29
8	Roanoke River At Jamesville, Nc River	76.6°	24.8°	☀️ Warm	✅ Good	Jun 5
9	Roanoke River At Nc 45 Nr Westover, Nc River	76.6°	24.8°	☀️ Warm	✅ Good	Jun 5
10	South Yadkin River Near Mocksville, Nc River	76.1°	24.5°	☀️ Warm	✅ Good	Apr 17
11	Pee Dee River Below Powerhouse Dam Nr Pee Dee, Nc River	75.2°	24°	☀️ Warm	✅ Good	Jun 4
12	Catawba R At Rr Bridge Ab Nc 73 At Cowans Ford, Nc Lake	75.2°	24°	☀️ Warm	✅ Good	Jun 5
13	Van Swamp Near Hoke, Nc Lake	75°	23.9°	☀️ Warm	✅ Good	Jul 27
14	Catawba River Dnstrm Deck Mtn Is Dam Nr Mtn Is, Nc River	74.7°	23.7°	🌤️ Comfortable	✅ Good	Jun 5
15	Catawba River At Nc Highway 16 Nr Millersville, Nc River	74.1°	23.4°	🌤️ Comfortable	✅ Good	Jun 5
16	Pee Dee R At Hwy731 Bl Lk Tillery Nr Norwood, Nc Lake	73.8°	23.2°	🌤️ Comfortable	✅ Good	Jun 4
17	Hyco R Bl Abay D Nr Mcgehees Mill, Nc Lake	73.4°	23°	🌤️ Comfortable	✅ Good	Jun 5
18	Catawba River Bl Lookout Shoals Dam Nr Sharon, Nc River	73.2°	22.9°	🌤️ Comfortable	✅ Good	Jun 5
19	Knap Of Reeds Creek Near Butner, Nc River	73.2°	22.9°	🌤️ Comfortable	✅ Good	Sep 29
20	Lake Mattamuskeet W Of Nc Hwy 94 Nr Fairfield, Nc Lake	72.1°	22.3°	🌤️ Comfortable	✅ Good	Jun 5
21	Yadkin River At Yadkin College, Nc River	72°	22.2°	🌤️ Comfortable	✅ Good	Mar 31
22	Lake Mattamuskeet E Of Nc Hwy 94 Nr Fairfield, Nc Lake	72°	22.2°	🌤️ Comfortable	✅ Good	Jun 5
23	Catawba River At Rhodhiss, Nc River	70.5°	21.4°	🌤️ Comfortable	⚠️ Brisk	Jun 5
24	Ltl Sugar Cr At Medical Center Dr At Charlotte, Nc Lake	70.3°	21.3°	🌤️ Comfortable	⚠️ Brisk	Sep 29
25	Morgan Creek Near Chapel Hill, Nc River	69.8°	21°	🌤️ Comfortable	⚠️ Brisk	Oct 15
26	Cheoah River Nr Bearpen Gap Nr Tapoco, Nc River	69.8°	21°	🌤️ Comfortable	⚠️ Brisk	Jun 5
27	Rocky R At Us 64 Near Siler City, Nc Lake	69.8°	21°	🌤️ Comfortable	⚠️ Brisk	Jun 5
28	Coffey Creek Nr Charlotte, Nc River	69.4°	20.8°	🌤️ Comfortable	⚠️ Brisk	Sep 29
29	French Broad River At Asheville, Nc River	68.5°	20.3°	🌤️ Comfortable	⚠️ Brisk	Jun 5
30	Catawba R Nr Pleasant Gardens, Nc Lake	68.4°	20.2°	🌤️ Comfortable	⚠️ Brisk	Jun 5
31	French Broad River At Haywood Rd At Asheville, Nc River	68.2°	20.1°	🌤️ Comfortable	⚠️ Brisk	Jun 5
32	Hominy Creek Nr West Asheville, Nc River	67.6°	19.8°	🌤️ Comfortable	⚠️ Brisk	Jun 5
33	Ellerbe Creek Near Gorman, Nc River	67.5°	19.7°	🌤️ Comfortable	⚠️ Brisk	Sep 29
34	New Hope Creek Near Blands, Nc River	66.9°	19.4°	🌤️ Comfortable	⚠️ Brisk	Sep 29
35	Pigeon R Bl Power Plant Nr Waterville, Nc Lake	66.2°	19°	🌤️ Comfortable	⚠️ Brisk	Jun 5
36	Yadkin River At Patterson, Nc River	65.8°	18.8°	🌤️ Comfortable	⚠️ Brisk	Jun 5
37	Pigeon River Near Canton, Nc River	65.5°	18.6°	🌤️ Comfortable	⚠️ Brisk	Jun 5
38	Hyco Creek Near Leasburg, Nc River	65.5°	18.6°	🌤️ Comfortable	⚠️ Brisk	Jun 5
39	French Broad River Near Fletcher, Nc River	65.3°	18.5°	🌤️ Comfortable	⚠️ Brisk	Jun 5
40	Northeast Creek At Sr1100 Nr Genlee, Nc River	65.1°	18.4°	🌤️ Comfortable	⚠️ Brisk	Sep 29
41	Flat River At Dam Near Bahama, Nc River	64.6°	18.1°	🌊 Cool	🚫 Cold	Sep 29
42	Mills River Near Mills River, Nc River	61.5°	16.4°	🌊 Cool	🚫 Cold	Jun 5
43	Oconaluftee River At Birdtown, Nc River	61.5°	16.4°	🌊 Cool	🚫 Cold	Jun 5
44	Morgan Creek Near White Cross, Nc River	59.4°	15.2°	🌊 Cool	🚫 Cold	Nov 18
45	North Fork Swannanoa River Near Walkertown, Nc River	58.1°	14.5°	🌊 Cool	🚫 Cold	Jun 5
46	Cataloochee Creek Near Cataloochee, Nc River	57°	13.9°	🌊 Cool	🚫 Cold	Jun 5
47	W F Pigeon R Above Lake Logan Nr Hazelwood, Nc Lake	55.9°	13.3°	🌊 Cool	🚫 Cold	Jun 5
48	Marsh Creek Near New Hope, Nc River	55.6°	13.1°	🌊 Cool	🚫 Cold	Mar 27
49	Roanoke River At Williamston, Nc River	54.5°	12.5°	❄️ Cold	⛔ Very cold	Nov 12
50	Northeast Cape Fear R Nr Burgaw, Nc Lake	51.6°	10.9°	❄️ Cold	⛔ Very cold	Dec 2
51	French Broad R At Blue Ridge Pkwy At Bent Creek Nc River	49.5°	9.7°	❄️ Cold	⛔ Very cold	Nov 16
52	Tar River At Tarboro, Nc River	49.3°	9.6°	❄️ Cold	⛔ Very cold	Feb 15
53	Catawba R At Sr1223 Bl Lk James Nr Bridgewater, Nc Lake	48°	8.9°	❄️ Cold	⛔ Very cold	Jun 5
54	Cape Fear R At Wilm O Huske Lock Nr Tarheel, Nc Lake	40.5°	4.7°	🧊 Very Cold	⛔ Very cold	Feb 3
55	Roanoke River Near Scotland Neck, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
56	South Buffalo Cr Near Greensboro, Nc Lake	—	—	—	—	—
57	Rocky R Ab Irish Buffalo Cr Nr Rocky River, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
58	Mcmullen Cr Above Lincrest Place At Charlotte, Nc Lake	—	—	—	—	—
59	Tar R At Us 401 At Louisburg, Nc Lake	—	—	—	—	—
60	Sandy Creek At Cornwallis Rd Near Durham, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
61	Pee Dee R Nr Rockingham, Nc Lake	—	—	—	—	—
62	First Broad River Near Casar, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
63	Deep River At Moncure, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
64	French Broad River At Hot Springs, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
65	Crabtree Creek At Hwy 70 At Raleigh, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
66	Tank Creek At Reilly Road At Fort Bragg, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
67	Gar Creek At Sr2074 Nr Croft, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
68	South Toe River Near Celo, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
69	Walnut Creek At Trailwood Drive At Raleigh, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
70	Beaver Cr At All American Freeway Fort Bragg, Nc Lake	—	—	—	—	—
71	Henry Fork Near Henry River, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
72	Nantahala River Near Hewitt, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
73	Elk Creek At Elkville, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
74	Stewart Creek At West Morehead St At Charlotte, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
75	Third Fork Creek At M.L. King Parkway At Durham,Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
76	Bonnie Doone Lake At Dam Nr Bonnie Dooone, Nc Lake	—	—	—	—	—
77	Contentnea Creek Near Lucama, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
78	Little Sugar Cr At Hillside Ave, Charlotte, Nc Lake	—	—	—	—	—
79	Walnut Creek Trib At Fountain Dr At Raleigh, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
80	Mayo River Near Price, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
81	New River Near Gum Branch, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
82	W. Br Rocky R B Mth Of S Prong R Nr Cornelius, Nc Lake	—	—	—	—	—
83	Little Sugar C At Archdale Dr At Charlotte, Nc Lake	—	—	—	—	—
84	South Buffalo Creek Nr Pomona, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
85	Reedy Creek At Sr 2803 Nr Charlotte, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
86	Mcalpine Cr At Sardis Road Near Charlotte, Nc Lake	—	—	—	—	—
87	Cashie River At Sr1257 Near Windsor, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
88	Haw River At Haw River, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
89	Pee Dee R At Pee Dee Refuge Nr Ansonville, Nc Lake	—	—	—	—	—
90	Cove Creek Near Lake Lure, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
91	Fishing Creek Near Enfield, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
92	Northeast Creek Trib At Sr1182 Nr Lowes Grove, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
93	Lumber River At Lumberton, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
94	Davidson River Near Brevard, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
95	Mountain Creek At Sr1617 Nr Bahama, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
96	Rocky R At Sr1300 Nr Crutchfield Crossroads, Nc Lake	—	—	—	—	—
97	Beaverdam Creek At Dam Near Creedmoor, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
98	Little River At Manchester, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
99	Torrence Cr At Bradford Hill Ln Nr Huntersvlle, Nc Lake	—	—	—	—	—
100	Pigeon River Near Hepco, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—

Falls Lake Above Dam Nr Falls, Nc Lake

79°F

☀️ Warm

Swift Creek Near Apex, Nc River

77.9°F

☀️ Warm

Neuse River Near Fort Barnwell, Nc River

77.2°F

☀️ Warm

Contentnea Creek At Hookerton, Nc River

77.2°F

☀️ Warm

Pee Dee River Above Jones Creek Near Cordova, Nc River

77°F

☀️ Warm

Roanoke River At Halifax, Nc River

76.8°F

☀️ Warm

Hyco Lake At Dam Nr Roxboro, Nc Lake

76.8°F

☀️ Warm

Roanoke River At Jamesville, Nc River

76.6°F

☀️ Warm

Roanoke River At Nc 45 Nr Westover, Nc River

76.6°F

☀️ Warm

South Yadkin River Near Mocksville, Nc River

76.1°F

☀️ Warm

Pee Dee River Below Powerhouse Dam Nr Pee Dee, Nc River

75.2°F

☀️ Warm

Catawba R At Rr Bridge Ab Nc 73 At Cowans Ford, Nc Lake

75.2°F

☀️ Warm

Van Swamp Near Hoke, Nc Lake

75°F

☀️ Warm

Catawba River Dnstrm Deck Mtn Is Dam Nr Mtn Is, Nc River

74.7°F

🌤️ Comfortable

Catawba River At Nc Highway 16 Nr Millersville, Nc River

74.1°F

🌤️ Comfortable

Pee Dee R At Hwy731 Bl Lk Tillery Nr Norwood, Nc Lake

73.8°F

🌤️ Comfortable

Hyco R Bl Abay D Nr Mcgehees Mill, Nc Lake

73.4°F

🌤️ Comfortable

Catawba River Bl Lookout Shoals Dam Nr Sharon, Nc River

73.2°F

🌤️ Comfortable

Knap Of Reeds Creek Near Butner, Nc River

73.2°F

🌤️ Comfortable

Lake Mattamuskeet W Of Nc Hwy 94 Nr Fairfield, Nc Lake

72.1°F

🌤️ Comfortable

More North Carolina Resources

🗺️ North Carolina Water Levels 🎣 Weekly Fishing Report ⛵ Boat Ramp Status 🌵 Drought Conditions 🌡️ All States

❓ North Carolina Water Temperature FAQ

What is the warmest lake in North Carolina today?

Based on our latest USGS data, Falls Lake Above Dam Nr Falls, Nc is currently the warmest water body in North Carolina at 79°F.

Which North Carolina lakes are good for swimming right now?

Lakes with water temperatures above 72°F are generally comfortable for swimming. Currently, North Carolina's average water temperature is 67.4°F — check individual lakes above for specific conditions.

What is the best water temperature for fishing in North Carolina?

The optimal temperature range depends on your target species. For bass fishing, look for water bodies between 65–75°F. For trout, target the coldest water bodies in North Carolina — typically 50–65°F. Use the table above to identify which lakes are in the ideal range for your target species.

🔬 Data Methodology & Sources

Water temperature readings on this site are collected from USGS (United States Geological Survey) monitoring stations installed at lakes, rivers, and reservoirs across the country. Sensors measure water surface temperature in Celsius, which is converted to Fahrenheit for display. Data is retrieved and stored daily. Temperatures shown reflect the most recent available sensor reading for each water body, typically from the past 1–30 days depending on station reporting frequency.

⚠️ Water temperatures can vary significantly across a water body due to depth, currents, and time of day. Sensor readings represent conditions at the monitoring station location. Always exercise caution when swimming and consult local authorities for official safety advisories.