Rivers in West Virginia
South Branch Potomac River near Petersburg
Below flood stage
4.27ftStage
Observed Thu, Oct 1, 5:00 PM EDT
- Flood stage
- 14.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 4.30 ftThu, Oct 1, 8:00 PM EDT
- Record crest
- 22.83 ft1949
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 17.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 15.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 14.00 ft |
| Action | 12.00 ft |
- 22.50 ftSignificant flooding is occurring. More than a hundred buildings in Petersburg are flooded.
- 20.00 ftSeveral city blocks on the south side of Petersburg are flooded. Backwater may also flood portions of the eastern sections of the city.
- 18.00 ftWater covers the entire runway at Grant County Airport and is in nearby structures. Hundreds of acres of lowlands are flooded. Water approaches homes on the north side of the river in Petersburg.
- 17.00 ftWater reaches structures at the Grant County Airport. Flooding also begins south of the river on the south side of Petersburg.
- 15.00 ftTwo structures are flooded upstream of Petersburg. Water also approaches the runway at the Petersburg Airport.
- 14.00 ftWater approaches structures upstream of Petersburg. Water also begins to cover Fish Hatchery Road near the river.
- 12.00 ftWater overflows the natural banks into nearby lowlands. River Road alongside the river begins to flood in its lowest spots.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, October to December
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 10% |
| Moderate flooding | 10% |
| Major flooding | 8% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 28, 2026.
Crest history
76 crests on NOAA’s list since 1877.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 17, 1949 | 22.83 ft |
| 2 | September 6, 1996 | 22.20 ft |
| 3 | November 5, 1985 | 21.80 ft |
| 4 | November 24, 1877 | 21.20 ft |
| 5 | March 17, 1936 | 20.30 ft |
| 6 | January 19, 1996 | 20.00 ft |
| 7 | January 1, 1924 | 19.20 ft |
| 8 | April 16, 2018 | 16.93 ft |
| 9 | October 6, 1972 | 16.16 ft |
| 10 | February 4, 1932 | 15.18 ft |
| 11 | October 9, 1976 | 15.14 ft |
| 12 | January 25, 2010 | 14.86 ft |
| 13 | November 19, 2003 | 14.86 ft |
| 14 | March 19, 1963 | 14.79 ft |
| 15 | March 7, 1967 | 14.74 ft |
| 16 | February 3, 1939 | 14.60 ft |
| 17 | May 31, 1940 | 14.50 ft |
| 18 | May 16, 2014 | 14.38 ft |
| 19 | May 17, 1996 | 14.29 ft |
| 20 | March 5, 2008 | 14.16 ft |
| 21 | April 15, 2007 | 14.07 ft |
| 22 | September 19, 2003 | 13.96 ft |
| 23 | January 26, 1978 | 13.93 ft |
| 24 | May 16, 1942 | 13.93 ft |
| 25 | May 22, 1942 | 13.69 ft |
Most recent crests
- March 1, 2021: 12.25 ft
- April 16, 2018: 16.93 ft
- May 16, 2014: 14.38 ft
- May 8, 2013: 12.80 ft
- May 18, 2011: 11.80 ft
- April 17, 2011: 12.32 ft
- April 13, 2011: 13.56 ft
- March 11, 2011: 11.66 ft
- January 25, 2010: 14.86 ft
- March 5, 2008: 14.16 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
- UpstreamSouth Branch Potomac River at Franklin
- DownstreamSouth Branch Potomac River at Springfield
- North Fork South Branch Potomac River at Cabins
- South Mill Creek at Mozer
- South Fork South Branch Potomac River at SF Moorefield
- 18 miles NNE of Test Site 8 at Test Site 8
- South Branch Potomac River at Moorefield
- Blackwater River (WV) at Davis
- Blackwater River (WV) at Davis
- Dry Fork River at Gladwin
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.