James River (VA) at Richmond-Westham
Observed Sun, Sep 27, 6:30 AM EDT
- Flood stage
- 12.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 3.50 ftSun, Sep 27, 8:00 AM EDT
- Record crest
- 28.62 ft1972
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 22.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 15.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 12.00 ft |
| Action | 9.00 ft |
- 32.00 ftRiver stage sensor operating limit
- 28.62 ftFlood of record during Hurricane Agnes.
- 27.00 ftNear record flooding begins.
- 23.00 ftRichmond City Water Filtration Plant endangered.
- 22.00 ftMajor flooding begins. Downstream industries, shops and streets along the riverfront are flooded at and above this level.
- 18.20 ftCSX Railroad tracks flooded.
- 17.00 ftWater infiltrates several homes near the gage, downstream of the Huguenot Bridge.
- 16.00 ftWater is getting into the parking lot at Huguenot Flatwater Park and Pony Pasture. Additionally, portions of the Willow Oaks County Club is flooded. Sections of Riverside Drive are closed due to flooding.
- 15.00 ftBegin moderate flooding. Residences near gage threatened by flood waters.
- 14.00 ftPortions of Riverside Drive begin to flood.
- 13.50 ftPortions of Huguenot Flatwater park begin to flood.
- 13.00 ftApproximately 20 acres of lowland flooded in vicinity of gage.
- 12.00 ftFlood stage. Minor flooding along both banks. No damage at this level.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 15% |
| Moderate flooding | 5% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued August 28, 2026.
Crest history
234 crests on NOAA’s list since 1934.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 23, 1972 | 28.62 ft |
| 2 | August 21, 1969 | 24.95 ft |
| 3 | November 7, 1985 | 24.77 ft |
| 4 | March 19, 1936 | 23.42 ft |
| 5 | April 27, 1937 | 22.65 ft |
| 6 | April 18, 1987 | 21.91 ft |
| 7 | September 20, 1944 | 21.80 ft |
| 8 | August 18, 1940 | 21.80 ft |
| 9 | October 7, 1972 | 21.76 ft |
| 10 | September 8, 1996 | 21.23 ft |
| 11 | September 7, 1935 | 21.01 ft |
| 12 | December 5, 1948 | 20.90 ft |
| 13 | January 21, 1996 | 20.63 ft |
| 14 | February 27, 1979 | 20.38 ft |
| 15 | March 21, 1975 | 20.08 ft |
| 16 | October 17, 1942 | 19.80 ft |
| 17 | January 28, 1978 | 19.36 ft |
| 18 | April 24, 1992 | 19.24 ft |
| 19 | December 3, 1934 | 19.08 ft |
| 20 | March 6, 1993 | 18.87 ft |
| 21 | February 25, 2003 | 18.73 ft |
| 22 | January 25, 1935 | 18.57 ft |
| 23 | August 20, 1955 | 18.36 ft |
| 24 | November 14, 2020 | 18.33 ft |
| 25 | October 21, 1937 | 18.20 ft |
Most recent crests
- May 15, 2025: 14.95 ft
- February 18, 2025: 17.23 ft
- October 2, 2024: 14.20 ft
- September 29, 2024: 12.54 ft
- January 11, 2024: 16.45 ft
- July 17, 2023: 13.11 ft
- April 29, 2023: 12.13 ft
- February 15, 2023: 10.74 ft
- December 24, 2022: 11.83 ft
- March 2, 2021: 12.55 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. NEW! Click <a href='https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/8d12656d99224ac4b599fb270f4d199f/page/Richmond-Westham'>Here</a> for Flood Inundation Maps for Richmond-Westham. River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 72 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time. 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.