Rivers in West Virginia
South Branch Potomac River at Franklin
Below flood stage
1.67ftStage
Observed Mon, Sep 28, 6:05 AM EDT
- Flood stage
- 7.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 1.70 ftMon, Sep 28, 8:00 AM EDT
- Record crest
- 22.58 ft1985
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 11.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 9.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 7.00 ft |
| Action | 6.00 ft |
- 13.00 ftThe lowest end of the Route 220/12 bridge begins to flood.
- 11.00 ftHomes along Dickenson Mountain Road are flooded.
- 9.00 ftSeveral roads in or near Franklin are flooded, including Dickenson Mountain Road (Route 220/12), parts of US Route 220, County Route 220/13, and Taylor Hollow Road.
- 8.00 ftThe Franklin city park begins to flood.
- 7.00 ftA low spot on Dickenson Mountain Road (Route 220/12) 300 feet downstream from the bridge begins to flood.
- 6.50 ftWater begins to cover Taylor Hollow Road in Franklin.
- 5.00 ftWater begins to overflow the low water crossing on County Route 220/12 at the south end of town.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 13% |
| Moderate flooding | 12% |
| Major flooding | 8% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued August 28, 2026.
Crest history
60 crests on NOAA’s list since 1942.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | November 4, 1985 | 22.58 ft |
| 2 | September 6, 1996 | 19.16 ft |
| 3 | January 19, 1996 | 16.06 ft |
| 4 | November 19, 2003 | 12.26 ft |
| 5 | September 19, 2003 | 12.14 ft |
| 6 | June 17, 1949 | 11.40 ft |
| 7 | May 17, 1996 | 9.98 ft |
| 8 | April 16, 1993 | 9.71 ft |
| 9 | March 2, 2007 | 9.52 ft |
| 10 | January 26, 1980 | 9.15 ft |
| 11 | January 26, 1978 | 9.15 ft |
| 12 | January 25, 2010 | 9.12 ft |
| 13 | April 16, 2018 | 9.10 ft |
| 14 | June 18, 2020 | 8.89 ft |
| 15 | October 9, 1976 | 8.72 ft |
| 16 | May 16, 1942 | 8.69 ft |
| 17 | April 16, 2011 | 8.66 ft |
| 18 | August 12, 1984 | 8.58 ft |
| 19 | March 7, 1967 | 8.45 ft |
| 20 | March 5, 1964 | 8.32 ft |
| 21 | May 16, 2014 | 8.24 ft |
| 22 | September 23, 2021 | 7.92 ft |
| 23 | June 27, 2006 | 7.74 ft |
| 24 | March 20, 1982 | 7.72 ft |
| 25 | April 28, 2011 | 7.45 ft |
Most recent crests
- September 23, 2021: 7.92 ft
- April 8, 2021: 6.68 ft
- March 1, 2021: 6.48 ft
- June 18, 2020: 8.89 ft
- April 16, 2018: 9.10 ft
- May 16, 2014: 8.24 ft
- April 28, 2011: 7.45 ft
- April 16, 2011: 8.66 ft
- April 13, 2011: 7.38 ft
- March 11, 2011: 6.81 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
- DownstreamSouth Branch Potomac River at Petersburg
- South Fork South Branch Potomac River at Brandywine
- Brushy Fork at Sugar Grove
- Hone Quarry Run at Hone Quarry Dam
- South Mill Creek at Mozer
- Cheat River at Job
- 18 miles NNE of Test Site 8 at Test Site 8
- North River at Stokesville
- Muddy Creek at Mount Clinton
What this means
Forecasts by the Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely year-round. Stage may be affected by ice.
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.