Rivers in Maryland

Potomac River at Edwards Ferry

Montgomery County, MarylandNWS EDFM2USGS 01644148Sterling office

Below flood stage
4.23ftStage

Observed Tue, Sep 22, 6:45 PM EDT

Flood stage
15.00 ft
Forecast crest
4.50 ftWed, Sep 23, 2:00 AM EDT
Record crest
22.45 ft2018

Open the live map with the river flood outlook

Flood stages and impacts

CategoryStage
Major flood24.00 ft
Moderate flood17.00 ft
Minor flood15.00 ft
Action12.25 ft
  1. 28.00 ftTchiffely Mill Road begins to flood due to backwater effects. Most of the C&O Canal towpath is flooded.
  2. 26.00 ftWater covers the lock at Edwards Ferry. The access road to Violettes Lock is flooded.
  3. 24.00 ftWater reaches the first floor ceiling at Whites Ferry store. Significant portions of the C&O Canal towpath are flooded. Backwater flooding is affecting homes on the Loudoun County side of the river near Broad Run in Sterling.
  4. 20.00 ftThe basements of the Edwards Ferry Lockhouse and Rileys Lockhouse are flooded. Backwater flooding may affect homes on the Loudoun County side of the river near Broad Run in Sterling.
  5. 18.50 ftThe parking lot at Edwards Ferry is completely covered by water. The parking lot at Seneca is partially flooded.
  6. 17.00 ftFloodwaters begin to enter the store at Whites Ferry.
  7. 15.00 ftWater reaches the boat ramp and lower parking area at Edwards Ferry, and begins to inundate areas near Whites Ferry.
  8. 14.70 ftThe Chisel Branch Hiker/Biker Campsite near the C&O Canal trail starts flooding.
  9. 12.25 ftWater reaches the Whites Ferry area. Ferry service may be suspended.

Crest history

21 crests on NOAA’s list since 2012.

#DateStage
1June 5, 201822.45 ft
2September 29, 201821.80 ft
3September 29, 201821.57 ft
4May 15, 202521.25 ft
5May 17, 201421.09 ft
6December 17, 201820.98 ft
7September 11, 201820.31 ft
8October 31, 201219.77 ft
9May 8, 202218.45 ft
10May 20, 201817.87 ft
11February 5, 201617.63 ft
12March 2, 202116.91 ft
13February 1, 201316.63 ft
14February 1, 201316.63 ft
15December 23, 201816.08 ft
16May 10, 201316.04 ft
17May 2, 202015.90 ft
18September 27, 201815.38 ft
19June 24, 201815.20 ft
20January 11, 202415.17 ft
21April 18, 201815.13 ft

Most recent crests

  • May 15, 2025: 21.25 ft
  • January 11, 2024: 15.17 ft
  • May 8, 2022: 18.45 ft
  • March 2, 2021: 16.91 ft
  • May 2, 2020: 15.90 ft
  • December 23, 2018: 16.08 ft
  • December 17, 2018: 20.98 ft
  • September 29, 2018: 21.80 ft
  • September 29, 2018: 21.57 ft
  • September 27, 2018: 15.38 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.