Rivers in West Virginia
Gauley River near Belva
Below flood stage
4.14ftStage
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 3:00 AM EDT
- Flood stage
- 20.00 ft
- Record crest
- 28.60 ft1932
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 27.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 24.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 20.00 ft |
| Action | 18.00 ft |
- 30.00 ftAlmost all of Belva is flooded.
- 27.00 ftRailroad tracks, Route 39, businesses, and homes are flooded in Belva.
- 24.00 ftBetween 24 and 25 feet, the homes along the river in Belva start to flood.
- 22.00 ftThe welding shop and home next to it start to flood.
- 20.00 ftLow sections of Highway 39 above and below the Town of Belva start to flood.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | Under 5% |
| Moderate flooding | Under 5% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 15, 2026.
Crest history
16 crests on NOAA’s list since 1932.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | July 5, 1932 | 28.60 ft |
| 2 | June 27, 1940 | 26.35 ft |
| 3 | July 19, 1954 | 24.80 ft |
| 4 | March 5, 1955 | 22.99 ft |
| 5 | October 28, 1938 | 21.37 ft |
| 6 | January 7, 1946 | 21.00 ft |
| 7 | February 14, 1948 | 20.62 ft |
| 8 | January 29, 1957 | 20.02 ft |
| 9 | November 19, 2003 | 19.23 ft |
| 10 | July 29, 2001 | 19.09 ft |
| 11 | July 2, 1986 | 17.90 ft |
| 12 | February 26, 1972 | 16.86 ft |
| 13 | June 2, 1974 | 15.69 ft |
| 14 | January 19, 1996 | 15.21 ft |
| 15 | April 24, 1987 | 14.51 ft |
| 16 | March 20, 1975 | 13.99 ft |
Most recent crests
- November 19, 2003: 19.23 ft
- July 29, 2001: 19.09 ft
- January 19, 1996: 15.21 ft
- April 24, 1987: 14.51 ft
- July 2, 1986: 17.90 ft
- March 20, 1975: 13.99 ft
- June 2, 1974: 15.69 ft
- February 26, 1972: 16.86 ft
- January 29, 1957: 20.02 ft
- March 5, 1955: 22.99 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
Forecasts by the Ohio River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available. 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.