Rivers in Virginia
South Fork Shenandoah River at Front Royal
Below flood stage
1.11ftStage
Observed Thu, Oct 1, 2:15 AM EDT
- Flood stage
- 12.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 1.10 ftFri, Oct 2, 2:00 AM EDT
- Record crest
- 34.80 ft1942
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 18.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 14.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 12.00 ft |
| Action | 8.00 ft |
- 24.00 ftCatlett Mountain Road begins to flood.
- 22.00 ftWater approaches structures on Rivermont Acres Drive.
- 20.00 ftBackwater from the river reaches South River Road. Floodwaters cover the Indian Hollow Road bridge.
- 18.00 ftSignificant portions of the railroad tracks running along the southwest side of Front Royal are flooded.
- 17.00 ftBackwater from the river reaches Rivermont Acres Drive. Water also approaches the Shenandoah Farms subdivision and covers a walking trail near the Front Royal boat ramp.
- 16.00 ftFloodwaters approach lower portions of Shenandoah Shores Estates.
- 14.00 ftRailroad tracks along the river south of Front Royal begin to flood. Water approaches structures in Riverton.
- 12.00 ftBackwater begins to creep up Luray Avenue toward the railroad trestle. A riverside parking area at the end of Luray Avenue is flooded.
- 10.00 ftHay fields near the gauge begin to flood.
- 8.00 ftA boat ramp near the end of Luray Avenue south of Front Royal floods. A second boat ramp near Bentonville also floods.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, October to December
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 13% |
| Moderate flooding | 10% |
| Major flooding | 7% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 28, 2026.
Crest history
82 crests on NOAA’s list since 1902.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | October 16, 1942 | 34.80 ft |
| 2 | September 7, 1996 | 32.57 ft |
| 3 | November 6, 1985 | 32.43 ft |
| 4 | March 18, 1936 | 26.01 ft |
| 5 | January 20, 1996 | 25.20 ft |
| 6 | June 22, 1972 | 23.98 ft |
| 7 | March 1, 1902 | 23.50 ft |
| 8 | August 19, 1955 | 22.54 ft |
| 9 | October 7, 1972 | 21.35 ft |
| 10 | June 19, 1949 | 19.20 ft |
| 11 | April 27, 1937 | 18.94 ft |
| 12 | March 20, 1975 | 18.74 ft |
| 13 | April 18, 1987 | 18.51 ft |
| 14 | September 19, 2003 | 18.07 ft |
| 15 | December 2, 1934 | 17.99 ft |
| 16 | May 31, 1971 | 17.86 ft |
| 17 | September 19, 1945 | 17.80 ft |
| 18 | March 5, 1993 | 16.55 ft |
| 19 | June 4, 2018 | 16.52 ft |
| 20 | May 23, 1942 | 16.20 ft |
| 21 | August 17, 1940 | 15.86 ft |
| 22 | February 15, 1984 | 15.85 ft |
| 23 | April 18, 2011 | 15.67 ft |
| 24 | January 9, 1998 | 15.42 ft |
| 25 | April 23, 1992 | 15.03 ft |
Most recent crests
- October 1, 2024: 12.40 ft
- March 2, 2021: 8.06 ft
- September 19, 2018: 14.34 ft
- June 4, 2018: 16.52 ft
- May 17, 2014: 12.07 ft
- May 18, 2011: 11.19 ft
- April 18, 2011: 15.67 ft
- January 26, 2010: 14.96 ft
- November 17, 2006: 10.71 ft
- November 30, 2005: 13.64 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
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.