USGS Water-Year Summary 2024
03446000 MILLS RIVER NEAR MILLS RIVER, NC
LOCATION - Lat 35°23'53", long 82°35'42" referenced to North American Datum of 1983, Henderson County, NC, Hydrologic Unit 06010105, on right bank 1.5 miles downstream from confluence of North and South Forks, 1.8 miles northwest of Mills River, 4.2 miles north-west of Horseshoe, and 4.6 miles above mouth.
DRAINAGE AREA - 66.7 mi². (measured by TVA from topographic maps, scale 1:24,000). Majority of the drainage area is in the Pisgah National Forest. There are a few small farms in the lower part of the area. All the area is heavily wooded with hardwood and undergrowth except the small farmed areas. Annual rainfall, 55-70 inches.
REVISIONS HISTORY - WSP 823: Drainage area. WSP 923: 1935, maximum and daily discharge; 1937-39, maximum and daily discharge; 1940, daily discharge. WSP 1003: 1938, daily discharge; 1940-42, daily discharges. WSP 1143: 1940, maximum discharge. WSP 1276: 1926, daily discharge.
SURFACE-WATER RECORDS
PERIOD OF RECORD - September 1924 to September 1926, October 1933 to current year. Monthly discharge only for some periods, published in WSP 1306.
GAGE -
Data collection platform. Datum of Gage is 2,088.39 ft. above NAVD of 1988. Prior to October 1, 1926, nonrecording gage at site 500 ft upstream at 2,091.44 ft. Satellite telemetry at site.
EXTREMES FOR PERIOD OF RECORD - Maximum discharge from rating curve extended above 6,200 ft³/s on basis of slope-area measurement of peak flow.
WATER-QUALITY RECORDS
PERIOD OF RECORD - August 2012 to current year.
PERIOD OF DAILY RECORD - WATER TEMPERATURE: August 2012 to current year.
INSTRUMENTATION - Temperature sensor since August 2012. Satellite telemetry at station.
EXTREMES FOR PERIOD OF DAILY RECORD - WATER TEMPERATURE: Maximum recorded, 24.7°C, July 30, 2015 & August 25, 2023; minimum recorded, -0.1°C, several days during winter months in most years.