Rivers in West Virginia
South Branch Potomac River near Springfield
Below flood stage
2.11ftStage
Observed Sat, Sep 26, 4:30 PM EDT
- Flood stage
- 15.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 2.10 ftSat, Sep 26, 8:00 PM EDT
- Record crest
- 44.22 ft1985
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 25.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 19.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 15.00 ft |
| Action | 12.00 ft |
- 25.00 ftMost camphouses and a large portion of fields in the area are flooded.
- 19.00 ftHouses on the right downstream side of the river are flooded.
- 17.00 ftWater approaches camphouses downstream from the gage.
- 15.00 ftMilleson Mill Road (County Route 28/5) and Clarence Taylor Road (Route 3/7) begin to flood. Water covers a significant portion of meadowlands near the river. The boat launch ramp on the upstream right abutment of the bridge also floods.
- 11.00 ftThe river begins to overflow the banks in a few low lying areas. Campers should move away from the river.
- 5.00 ftHazardous conditions for recreation may exist.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 15% |
| Moderate flooding | 12% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued August 28, 2026.
Crest history
90 crests on NOAA’s list since 1901.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | November 5, 1985 | 44.22 ft |
| 2 | September 7, 1996 | 34.98 ft |
| 3 | March 18, 1936 | 34.20 ft |
| 4 | June 18, 1949 | 29.85 ft |
| 5 | January 20, 1996 | 28.41 ft |
| 6 | August 19, 1955 | 25.55 ft |
| 7 | September 20, 2003 | 24.70 ft |
| 8 | October 10, 1976 | 23.42 ft |
| 9 | April 27, 1937 | 23.00 ft |
| 10 | March 20, 1963 | 22.15 ft |
| 11 | May 23, 1942 | 22.00 ft |
| 12 | October 16, 1954 | 21.50 ft |
| 13 | February 4, 1939 | 21.40 ft |
| 14 | October 29, 1937 | 21.15 ft |
| 15 | October 6, 1972 | 21.11 ft |
| 16 | October 16, 1942 | 21.09 ft |
| 17 | March 8, 1967 | 21.00 ft |
| 18 | February 4, 1932 | 20.40 ft |
| 19 | March 20, 1975 | 20.34 ft |
| 20 | December 27, 1973 | 20.16 ft |
| 21 | May 31, 1940 | 20.11 ft |
| 22 | April 16, 2007 | 19.50 ft |
| 23 | April 17, 2018 | 19.44 ft |
| 24 | March 14, 2010 | 19.37 ft |
| 25 | February 10, 1994 | 19.19 ft |
Most recent crests
- May 14, 2025: 15.02 ft
- March 1, 2021: 15.34 ft
- December 16, 2018: 16.25 ft
- September 29, 2018: 15.93 ft
- June 3, 2018: 17.49 ft
- April 17, 2018: 19.44 ft
- May 17, 2014: 18.58 ft
- May 9, 2013: 16.79 ft
- May 18, 2011: 19.00 ft
- April 29, 2011: 15.37 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. 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.