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	Knap Of Reeds Creek Near Butner, Nc River	73.2°	22.9°	🌤️ Comfortable	✅ Good	Sep 29
19	Catawba River Bl Lookout Shoals Dam Nr Sharon, Nc River	73.2°	22.9°	🌤️ Comfortable	✅ Good	Jun 5
20	Lake Mattamuskeet W Of Nc Hwy 94 Nr Fairfield, Nc Lake	72.1°	22.3°	🌤️ Comfortable	✅ Good	Jun 5
21	Lake Mattamuskeet E Of Nc Hwy 94 Nr Fairfield, Nc Lake	72°	22.2°	🌤️ Comfortable	✅ Good	Jun 5
22	Yadkin River At Yadkin College, Nc River	72°	22.2°	🌤️ Comfortable	✅ Good	Mar 31
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	Rocky R At Us 64 Near Siler City, Nc Lake	69.8°	21°	🌤️ Comfortable	⚠️ Brisk	Jun 5
26	Morgan Creek Near Chapel Hill, Nc River	69.8°	21°	🌤️ Comfortable	⚠️ Brisk	Oct 15
27	Cheoah River Nr Bearpen Gap Nr Tapoco, Nc River	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	Little Hope Cr At Seneca Place At Charlotte, Nc Lake	—	—	—	—	—
56	Ryan Creek Below Us 220 At Greensboro, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
57	Mckee Creek At Sr2804 Nr Wilgrove, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
58	Four Mile Creek Near Pineville, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
59	Tar River Near Tar River, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
60	Haw River Near Bynum, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
61	Broad River Near Boiling Springs, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
62	Tar River At Greenville, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
63	Lumber River At Boardman, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
64	Flat River At Bahama, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
65	Tick Creek Near Mount Vernon Springs, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
66	Middle Little R At Moretz Dam Nr Bethlehem, Nc Reservoir	—	—	—	—	—
67	French Broad River At Marshall, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
68	Crabtree Cr At Ebenezer Church Rd Nr Raleigh, Nc Lake	—	—	—	—	—
69	Tank Creek At Butner Road At Fort Bragg, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
70	Mcdowell Creek Nr Charlotte, Nc Csw10 River	—	—	—	—	—
71	Walnut Creek At Buck Jones Road At Raleigh, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
72	Beaver Creek At Gruber Road At Fort Bragg, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
73	Beaverdam Creek Ab Windy Gap Road Nr Shopton, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
74	Nantahala River Near Rainbow Springs, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
75	Neuse River At Smithfield, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
76	Stewart Creek At State St At Charlotte, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
77	Goose Creek At Camden Avenue At Durham, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
78	B. Everett Jordan Lake At Dam Nr Moncure, Nc Lake	—	—	—	—	—
79	Neuse River At Kinston, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
80	Yadkin River At Enon, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
81	Pigeon House Cr At Dortch Street At Raleigh, Nc Lake	—	—	—	—	—
82	Dan River At Pine Hall, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
83	Trent R At Pollocksville, Nc Lake	—	—	—	—	—
84	Reedy Fork Near Gibsonville, Nc Lake	—	—	—	—	—
85	Back Cr At Sr1173 Near Harrisburg, Nc Lake	—	—	—	—	—
86	Irvins Creek At Sr3168 Nr Charlotte, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
87	Buffalo Creek At Sr2819 Nr Mcleansville, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
88	Rocky River Near Norwood, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
89	Six Mile Creek Near Pineville, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
90	Little Fishing Creek Near White Oak, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
91	Booker Creek At Sr 1751 Near Chapel Hill, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
92	Lumber River Near Maxton, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
93	French Broad River At Rosman, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
94	Little River At Sr1461 Near Orange Factory, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
95	Deep River At Ramseur, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
96	Johns River At Arneys Store, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
97	Swannanoa River At Biltmore, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
98	Little Lick Creek At Nc Hwy 98 At Oak Grove, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
99	Flat Creek Near Inverness, Nc River	—	—	—	—	—
100	Mcdowell Creek Nr Huntersville, 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

Knap Of Reeds Creek Near Butner, Nc River

73.2°F

🌤️ Comfortable

Catawba River Bl Lookout Shoals Dam Nr Sharon, 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.