Upper Tar HUC8 03020101
A 3,379 km² sub-basin of the South Atlantic-Gulf region in NC. Drought coverage is from the US Drought Monitor (map of 2026-09-01); streamflow classes place each USGS gauge's latest reading against its own day-of-year record.
Health score
51
Moderate
Drought index
259
Severe
Area in D2+
52.32%
0% exceptional (D4)
Gauges below normal
60%
of 5 reporting
Median flow
35%
p25 of record
Water assets
1,293
0 springs · 500 wells
USGS gauges (5)
- TAR R AT US 401 AT LOUISBURG, NC020817478 cfsp4 · much below normal
- TAR RIVER AT NC-581 NEAR SPRING HOPE, NC0208194242 cfsp9 · much below normal
- TAR RIVER NEAR TAR RIVER, NC020815003 cfsp25 · below normal
- TAR RIVER BELOW DAM NEAR LANGLEY CROSSROADS, NC020825041079 cfsp32 · normal
- TAR RIVER AT NC 97 AT ROCKY MOUNT, NC02082585137 cfsp42 · normal
Recent conditions
| Date | DSCI | D2+ % | Gauges low | Flow pct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-09-07 | 259 | 52.32 | 3/5 | p25 |
Top water assets
- 65Barbee Lake Damreservoir
- 65Tar River Near Tar River, Ncriver
- 65Tar River Below Dam Near Langley Crossroads, Ncriver
- 65Jeffries Lake Damreservoir
- 65Rocky Mount Millpond Damreservoir
- 65Ricks Lake Damreservoir
- 65Tar River At Nc-581 Near Spring Hope, Ncriver
- 65Harris Lake Dam #2reservoir
- 65Frazier Lake Damreservoir
- 65Franklinton Reservoir Damreservoir