Cheat River at Rowlesburg

1. 36.90 ftWater levels reach the historic Election Day Flood of November 5, 1985.
2. 36.00 ftWith the exception of areas like Oak, Maple and Wilson Streets, the entire town of Rowlesburg is under water. Areas closest to the Cheat River are inundated by up to 20 feet of water.
3. 33.00 ftWater reaches the road deck of the Maple Avenue Bridge (Route 51). Backwater flooding occurs on Saltlick Creek upstream from the confluence of the Cheat River.
4. 30.00 ftWater surrounds buildings on Maple Avenue (Route 51) east the Maple Avenue Bridge along Saltlick Creek. Parts of East Main Street and Elm Street are covered with 13 feet of water.
5. 28.00 ftWater covers the intersection at the east end of the Maple Avenue Bridge with County Route 80/8 and Maple Avenue flooded.
6. 25.00 ftWater reaches the lowest bridge girders on both the railroad bridge and the Maple Avenue Bridge (Route 51). Approximately 3 feet of water covers the east end of Main Street and 8 feet of water on Catherine Street (Route 72) near town park.
7. 24.20 ftWater levels reach the flood levels of the flood of January 19, 1996.
8. 24.00 ftWater covers portions of Elm, East Main and Catherine Streets in Rowlesburg and Route 72 both South and North of Rowlesburg. Water covers parts of the intersection of Maple Avenue and County Road 80/8 at the east end of the Maple Avenue Bridge. Downstream in Manheim, Center Avenue floods.
9. 23.58 ftWater levels reach the flood levels of the flood of February 9, 1994.
10. 22.00 ftRoute 72 (Buffalo Street) is closed near Feltys Hill at the south end of Rowlesburg. Water approaches the intersection of Maple Street and County Road 80/8 at the east end of the Maple Avenue Bridge.
11. 20.00 ftWater flows under houses in low lying areas of Rowlesburg. Water affects homes along Poplar, Elm, Catherine, Diamond, Church, Buffalo and Main Streets. Nearly 3 feet of water covers Rowlesburg Town Park ball fields.
12. 18.00 ftState route 72 is closed at the north end of Rowlesburg, and water surrounds houses near Rowlesburg town park.
13. 16.00 ftFlooding reaches pavilions in Rowlesburg town park.
14. 15.00 ftFlooding begins in the Rowlesburg town park.

Chance of flooding, September to November

The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 15, 2026.

Most recent crests

• February 1, 2025: 16.70 ft
• March 1, 2021: 16.12 ft
• July 29, 2017: 19.75 ft
• March 4, 2015: 14.80 ft
• May 16, 2014: 16.10 ft
• January 26, 2010: 17.30 ft
• April 16, 2007: 16.00 ft
• February 6, 2004: 15.00 ft
• September 19, 2003: 16.80 ft
• March 20, 2002: 19.00 ft

• UpstreamCheat River at Rowlesburg
• DownstreamCheat River at Albright
• Youghiogheny River at Oakland
• Cheat River at Parsons
• Youghiogheny River at Hoyes
• Blackwater River (WV) at Davis
• Big Sandy Creek at Rockville
• Tygart Valley River at Tygart Lake

Forecasts by the Ohio River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely year-round. The above river forecast includes future rainfall/snowmelt. Forecast stages may be different if the actual rainfall/snowmelt is different than the forecast rainfall/snowmelt. Stage may be affected by ice.

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.