Rivers in West Virginia
Elk River at Queen Shoals
Below flood stage
10.77ftStage
Observed Wed, Sep 23, 4:00 PM UTC
- Flood stage
- 19.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 10.80 ftWed, Sep 23, 6:00 PM UTC
- Record crest
- 37.20 ft1918
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 29.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 23.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 19.00 ft |
| Action | 17.00 ft |
- 31.00 ftIn Clendenin, the Columbia Gas transmission area just north of town along WV State Route 4, floods around 31 feet.
- 30.00 ftIn Clendenin, many homes and businesses above the Big Sandy Creek between WV State Route 4 and the river are inundated. In Barren Creek, much of River Haven Road floods along with several homes between this road and the river. In Queen Shoals, several homes flood along WV State Route 4 0.3 miles above the Queen Road bridge.
- 29.50 ftIn Queen Shoals, row of homes on WV State Route 4 above the Queen Road bridge flood. In Reamer, homes between Brown Street and the river are inundated.
- 29.00 ftMajor flooding occurs along the entire reach of the Elk River. In Clendenin, most homes and businesses between Maywood Avenue and the river are inundated. In Youngs Bottom, several homes between Robbie Lane and the river flood. In Procious, portions of WV Route 4 and Scenic River Road flood.
- 28.00 ftIn Corton, the Eastern Gas transmission area located on River Haven Road, floods around 28 feet.
- 27.00 ftIn Clendenin, many homes and businesses between Maywood Avenue and the river flood. In Procious, homes on both sides of the river begin to flood. In Queen Shoals, low sections of WV State Route 4 approximately 1 mile below the gauge floods. Low sections of WV State Route 4 flood between Barren Creek and Corton.
- 25.00 ftIn Clendenin, lower portions of Elk Avenue, Virginia Avenue, and Jarrett Street flood. The first floor of businesses adjacent to the river flood.
- 22.00 ftIn Falling Rock, US Route 119 at the intersection with Jordan Creek Road floods. In Queen Shoals, low spot on Flat Fork Groves Road floods.
- 20.00 ftIn Clendenin, basements in some businesses adjacent to the river flood. WV State Route 4 between US Route 119 and Beech Street floods. Sections of US Route 119 are inundated due to backwater flooding of Big Sandy Creek.
- 19.00 ftIn Queen Shoals, the lower floor of the abandoned church opposite side of the river from the gauge floods.
- 12.00 ftThe North and South Clendenin boat ramp access parking lots flood between 12 and 15 feet.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 12% |
| Moderate flooding | 7% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 22, 2026.
Crest history
42 crests on NOAA’s list since 1888.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | March 13, 1918 | 37.20 ft |
| 2 | June 24, 2016 | 33.31 ft |
| 3 | January 1, 1888 | 32.00 ft |
| 4 | July 5, 1932 | 29.20 ft |
| 5 | February 3, 1939 | 26.50 ft |
| 6 | March 2, 1997 | 25.36 ft |
| 7 | March 15, 1967 | 24.73 ft |
| 8 | October 29, 1937 | 23.90 ft |
| 9 | January 30, 1911 | 23.50 ft |
| 10 | November 19, 2003 | 23.34 ft |
| 11 | January 30, 1957 | 23.03 ft |
| 12 | March 1, 2021 | 22.83 ft |
| 13 | November 16, 1913 | 22.80 ft |
| 14 | October 3, 1929 | 22.34 ft |
| 15 | March 27, 1913 | 22.00 ft |
| 16 | February 1, 1951 | 21.90 ft |
| 17 | January 8, 1913 | 21.50 ft |
| 18 | March 25, 1936 | 21.50 ft |
| 19 | December 3, 1991 | 21.22 ft |
| 20 | February 17, 2003 | 21.09 ft |
| 21 | December 9, 1978 | 21.08 ft |
| 22 | November 13, 2003 | 21.01 ft |
| 23 | February 1, 1950 | 21.00 ft |
| 24 | January 26, 1978 | 20.74 ft |
| 25 | December 7, 2013 | 20.24 ft |
Most recent crests
- February 7, 2025: 19.90 ft
- March 1, 2021: 22.83 ft
- September 28, 2018: 19.33 ft
- June 24, 2016: 33.31 ft
- December 7, 2013: 20.24 ft
- April 17, 2007: 17.28 ft
- November 19, 2003: 23.34 ft
- November 13, 2003: 21.01 ft
- February 17, 2003: 21.09 ft
- March 2, 1997: 25.36 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
Forecasts by the Ohio River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely year-round. River Forecasts typically include ONLY 2 days of future rain from <u>forecast issuance time</u> (lower right of graph). Occasionally 3 days of future rain included.
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.