Rivers in West Virginia
South Fork South Branch Potomac River near SF Moorefield
Below flood stage
2.75ftStage
Observed Thu, Oct 1, 7:15 AM EDT
- Flood stage
- 10.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 2.80 ftThu, Oct 1, 8:00 AM EDT
- Record crest
- 19.99 ft1985
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 14.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 12.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 10.00 ft |
| Action | 8.00 ft |
- 20.00 ftNear record flooding expected. The entire town on the left bank of the South Fork will be flooded. Water will begin to inundate Washington and Elm, Winchester and North Main, and Ashley and Spring Streets.
- 16.00 ftNarly half of the town will be inundated. Maple Avenue will be flooded north of Jackson to the intersection with Spring Avenue. Kuyendall Lane and Main Street will be under water and a large part of Main Street and adjacent roads will be inundated. Water will be approaching the main floor of the chicken processing plant.
- 14.50 ftWater reaches the railroad bridge just south of town.
- 14.00 ftWater will be approaching the northern boundary of the business district.
- 12.00 ftWater will begin to inundate the sewage treatment plant. Water begins to flood Town Run Road and areas from the high school northward begin to flood. On the south end of town, Rohrbaugh Street south of the railroad tracks will begin to flood.
- 10.00 ftWater begins to flood pastureland south of town.
- 8.00 ftThe river overflows mainly low lying areas.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, October to December
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 7% |
| Moderate flooding | 7% |
| Major flooding | 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 28, 2026.
Crest history
15 crests on NOAA’s list since 1924.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | November 5, 1985 | 19.99 ft |
| 2 | June 18, 1949 | 16.10 ft |
| 3 | March 17, 1936 | 14.90 ft |
| 4 | March 29, 1924 | 13.50 ft |
| 5 | September 7, 1996 | 12.27 ft |
| 6 | October 16, 1954 | 12.14 ft |
| 7 | October 6, 1972 | 11.56 ft |
| 8 | August 18, 1955 | 11.23 ft |
| 9 | May 22, 1942 | 11.07 ft |
| 10 | September 19, 2003 | 10.94 ft |
| 11 | June 3, 2018 | 10.80 ft |
| 12 | October 15, 1942 | 10.53 ft |
| 13 | January 19, 1996 | 10.50 ft |
| 14 | August 24, 1933 | 10.20 ft |
| 15 | December 8, 1950 | 10.04 ft |
Most recent crests
- June 3, 2018: 10.80 ft
- September 19, 2003: 10.94 ft
- September 7, 1996: 12.27 ft
- January 19, 1996: 10.50 ft
- November 5, 1985: 19.99 ft
- October 6, 1972: 11.56 ft
- August 18, 1955: 11.23 ft
- October 16, 1954: 12.14 ft
- December 8, 1950: 10.04 ft
- June 18, 1949: 16.10 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
- UpstreamSouth Fork South Branch Potomac River at Brandywine
- South Branch Potomac River at Moorefield
- Parker Hollow Run at Needmore
- South Branch Potomac River at Petersburg
- 18 miles NNE of Test Site 8 at Test Site 8
- North Fork South Branch Potomac River at Cabins
- South Mill Creek at Mozer
- Waites Run at Wardensville
- Linton Creek at Laurel Dale
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.