Rivers in Virginia
Clinch River near Richlands
Below flood stage
1.08ftStage
Observed Mon, Sep 21, 11:15 PM EDT
- Flood stage
- 10.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 1.20 ftTue, Sep 22, 2:00 AM EDT
- Record crest
- 21.30 ft1901
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 16.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 13.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 10.00 ft |
| Action | 7.50 ft |
- 16.00 ftFlood waters begin to enter the lower level of several homes in the Richlands, Raven and Doran communities.
- 15.00 ftFlooding of the Clinch River surrounds the Raven Elementary School.
- 14.50 ftWater begins surrounding homes on River and Page Streets in Richlands.
- 13.00 ftWater inundates areas from 5th Street to 2nd Street in Richlands. Virginia Avenue begins to flood, and properties on East 1st Street and Orange Street are becoming inundated. Downstream, portions of Raven Road are flooded and impassible. Homes on Kirby Road, Atmore Street, and Bottom Road are surrounded by water in the Raven community.
- 12.00 ftFlooding affects several low-lying roads downstream near Raven.
- 11.00 ftWater inundates much of Critterville Park. Homes on East 1st Street and 4th Street are surrounded by water.
- 10.00 ftBackwater flooding of Big Creek begins to surround businesses along Alleghany Street.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 13% |
| Moderate flooding | 9% |
| Major flooding | 6% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 16, 2026.
Crest history
87 crests on NOAA’s list since 1901.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 22, 1901 | 21.30 ft |
| 2 | January 29, 1957 | 19.30 ft |
| 3 | January 26, 1978 | 16.10 ft |
| 4 | March 12, 1963 | 16.09 ft |
| 5 | February 16, 2025 | 16.09 ft |
| 6 | April 5, 1977 | 16.06 ft |
| 7 | May 7, 1984 | 14.70 ft |
| 8 | April 14, 1972 | 14.65 ft |
| 9 | November 19, 2003 | 14.65 ft |
| 10 | February 6, 2020 | 14.33 ft |
| 11 | February 18, 1944 | 13.70 ft |
| 12 | May 19, 1953 | 13.23 ft |
| 13 | April 13, 2020 | 12.77 ft |
| 14 | March 21, 1998 | 12.67 ft |
| 15 | March 1, 1955 | 12.51 ft |
| 16 | February 11, 1994 | 12.48 ft |
| 17 | March 14, 1975 | 12.44 ft |
| 18 | March 5, 2015 | 12.29 ft |
| 19 | January 31, 2013 | 12.20 ft |
| 20 | February 25, 1961 | 11.79 ft |
| 21 | March 18, 2002 | 11.74 ft |
| 22 | February 16, 2003 | 11.67 ft |
| 23 | March 16, 1973 | 11.65 ft |
| 24 | February 2, 1950 | 11.30 ft |
| 25 | May 7, 1971 | 11.27 ft |
Most recent crests
- February 16, 2025: 16.09 ft
- February 1, 2025: 11.20 ft
- April 12, 2024: 6.94 ft
- January 10, 2024: 7.60 ft
- May 17, 2023: 7.89 ft
- February 17, 2023: 11.22 ft
- January 10, 2022: 7.76 ft
- January 2, 2022: 10.33 ft
- March 1, 2021: 10.97 ft
- April 13, 2020: 12.77 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
Forecasts by the Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available.
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.