Rivers in West Virginia
Little Kanawha River at Elizabeth
Below flood stage
17.48ftStage
Observed Sun, Sep 27, 9:00 AM EDT
- Flood stage
- 36.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 17.40 ftSun, Sep 27, 2:00 PM EDT
- Record crest
- 40.04 ft1997
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 44.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 38.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 36.00 ft |
| Action | 34.00 ft |
- 44.00 ftMajor flooding occurs in and around Elizabeth and Palestine. Flood water reaches the middle school, high school, water plant, and some homes along the river.
- 38.00 ftHomes along the river and Snodgrass Road begin to flood. Low sections near the river around Elizabeth and Palestine also begin to flood.
- 36.00 ftSections of Snodgrass Road adjacent to the river flood.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 7% |
| Moderate flooding | Under 5% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 22, 2026.
Crest history
25 crests on NOAA’s list since 1939.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | March 3, 1997 | 40.04 ft |
| 2 | March 7, 1967 | 39.14 ft |
| 3 | February 24, 2003 | 36.44 ft |
| 4 | December 10, 1979 | 36.37 ft |
| 5 | November 23, 2011 | 36.34 ft |
| 6 | February 19, 2000 | 36.04 ft |
| 7 | January 26, 1978 | 35.00 ft |
| 8 | November 6, 1985 | 34.43 ft |
| 9 | February 2, 1951 | 34.22 ft |
| 10 | January 12, 1974 | 33.56 ft |
| 11 | February 10, 1994 | 33.48 ft |
| 12 | March 21, 2002 | 33.43 ft |
| 13 | June 6, 2008 | 33.14 ft |
| 14 | March 5, 2015 | 33.01 ft |
| 15 | December 9, 1973 | 32.34 ft |
| 16 | April 17, 1939 | 32.25 ft |
| 17 | March 20, 1963 | 31.94 ft |
| 18 | December 15, 1957 | 31.78 ft |
| 19 | February 16, 1989 | 31.40 ft |
| 20 | April 24, 1970 | 31.24 ft |
| 21 | May 1, 1966 | 31.24 ft |
| 22 | April 14, 1948 | 30.90 ft |
| 23 | January 20, 1996 | 30.61 ft |
| 24 | April 4, 1948 | 30.40 ft |
| 25 | February 28, 1962 | 30.34 ft |
Most recent crests
- March 5, 2015: 33.01 ft
- November 23, 2011: 36.34 ft
- June 6, 2008: 33.14 ft
- February 24, 2003: 36.44 ft
- March 21, 2002: 33.43 ft
- February 19, 2000: 36.04 ft
- March 3, 1997: 40.04 ft
- January 20, 1996: 30.61 ft
- February 10, 1994: 33.48 ft
- February 16, 1989: 31.40 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
Forecasts by the Ohio River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely year-round. River Forecasts typically include ONLY 2 days of future rain from <u>forecast issuance time</u> (lower right of graph). Occasionally 3 days of future rain included.
Sources
Stage, flood stages, impacts and crest history from NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service. Streamflow and the daily record from the U.S. Geological Survey.