Rivers in Maryland
Potomac River at Paw Paw
Below flood stage
4.68ftStage
Observed Sun, Sep 27, 7:15 AM EDT
- Flood stage
- 25.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 5.20 ftSun, Sep 27, 8:00 PM EDT
- Record crest
- 54.00 ft1936
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 37.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 30.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 25.00 ft |
| Action | 22.50 ft |
- 62.00 ftWater covers the bridge over the Potomac at the state line in Paw Paw.
- 50.00 ftHomes in Paw Paw begin to flood.
- 46.00 ftWater approaches the intersection of West Virginia Route 9 and Winchester Street in Paw Paw.
- 40.00 ftThe right bank of the river floods extensive sections of the town of Paw Paw, north of the B&O Railroad. The towpath of the C&O Canal also begins to flood.
- 37.00 ftFloodwaters cover both West Virginia Route 9 and Maryland Route 51. Businesses in the town of Paw Paw begin to flood.
- 34.00 ftWater reaches the settling pond next to Paw Paw Park.
- 30.00 ftPaw Paw Tunnel Campground begins to flood.
- 26.00 ftWater covers an access road on the West Virginia side.
- 25.00 ftA parking area adjacent to the highway bridge begins to flood. The roadway to the C&O Canal parking area floods, as does the lowest end of the Purslane Run hiker/biker area.
- 22.50 ftWater reaches the top of the boat ramp in Paw Paw Festival Park.
- 11.00 ftThe river reaches danger level for boaters as defined by the State of Maryland. At danger level, conditions are considered extremely hazardous.
- 5.00 ftThe river reaches caution level for boaters as defined by the State of Maryland. Fast moving water and current changes can be expected.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 11% |
| Moderate flooding | 6% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued August 28, 2026.
Crest history
40 crests on NOAA’s list since 1877.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | March 18, 1936 | 54.00 ft |
| 2 | November 5, 1985 | 53.58 ft |
| 3 | June 1, 1889 | 45.00 ft |
| 4 | November 24, 1877 | 45.00 ft |
| 5 | March 29, 1924 | 43.50 ft |
| 6 | September 7, 1996 | 43.45 ft |
| 7 | January 20, 1996 | 40.86 ft |
| 8 | October 16, 1942 | 38.36 ft |
| 9 | August 19, 1955 | 35.35 ft |
| 10 | June 19, 1949 | 33.91 ft |
| 11 | October 16, 1954 | 32.24 ft |
| 12 | March 20, 1963 | 31.48 ft |
| 13 | May 1, 1928 | 31.40 ft |
| 14 | April 17, 1993 | 30.62 ft |
| 15 | October 10, 1976 | 30.52 ft |
| 16 | March 8, 1967 | 30.24 ft |
| 17 | May 14, 2025 | 30.20 ft |
| 18 | February 26, 1979 | 29.13 ft |
| 19 | June 23, 1972 | 28.83 ft |
| 20 | May 19, 2011 | 28.67 ft |
| 21 | May 9, 1960 | 28.27 ft |
| 22 | February 4, 1939 | 28.20 ft |
| 23 | September 20, 2003 | 27.91 ft |
| 24 | March 20, 1986 | 27.86 ft |
| 25 | March 20, 1975 | 27.66 ft |
Most recent crests
- May 14, 2025: 30.20 ft
- December 16, 2018: 25.33 ft
- September 28, 2018: 25.90 ft
- June 3, 2018: 25.24 ft
- May 19, 2011: 28.67 ft
- March 11, 2011: 24.81 ft
- September 20, 2003: 27.91 ft
- September 7, 1996: 43.45 ft
- January 20, 1996: 40.86 ft
- April 17, 1993: 30.62 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
- DownstreamPotomac River at Hancock
- Town Creek (MD) at Oldtown
- Cacapon River at Great Cacapon
- Sideling Hill Creek at Bellegrove
- South Branch Potomac River at Springfield
- Tributary to Warm Springs Run at Berkeley Springs
- Warm Springs Run at Berkeley Springs
- Painter Run at Fort Ashby
- North Branch Potomac River at Cumberland
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.