Rivers in West Virginia
Potomac River at Shepherdstown
Below flood stage
1.70ftStage
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 3:30 AM EDT
- Flood stage
- 15.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 4.90 ftThu, Sep 24, 8:00 AM EDT
- Record crest
- 42.07 ft1936
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 25.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 22.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 15.00 ft |
| Action | 8.00 ft |
- 25.00 ftSignificant flooding is occurring throughout this stretch of the Potomac, with numerous buildings and roads inundated, and a few homes. Major impacts are occurring on C&O Canal property.
- 24.00 ftWater begins to cover the parking lot adjacent to the Shepherdstown boat ramp, and approaches the lowest point of an adjacent building. Water also reaches the upper parking area of the boat ramp adjacent to Dam Number Four on the West Virginia side of the river.
- 22.00 ftWater approaches homes on the West Virginia side of the river near Shepherdstown, and impacts are also observed on the Maryland side, not just to the C&O Canal towpath, but also to roads and structures.
- 19.00 ftWater covers the pedestrian bridge adjacent to the Shepherdstown boat ramp. Significant portions of the C&O Canal towpath are flooded.
- 16.00 ftWater goes over the banks of the Potomac near the mouth of the Opequon River.
- 15.00 ftRiver Road is completely flooded in low spots between Shepherdstown and Harpers Ferry. Significant portions of the C&O Canal towpath are flooded between McMahons Mill and Dam Number Four.
- 13.00 ftRiver Road near Shepherdstown begins to flood. Water completely covers the boat ramp at Shepherdstown.
- 12.00 ftWater reaches the lowest part of the parking areas at Big Slackwater and Taylors Landing on the Maryland side of the river.
- 10.00 ftWater begins to cover the C&O Canal towpath upstream and downstream of McMahons Mill.
- 8.00 ftWater covers the lower parking area of the boat ramp adjacent to Dam Number Four on the West Virginia side of the river.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 17% |
| Moderate flooding | Under 5% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued August 28, 2026.
Crest history
126 crests on NOAA’s list since 1889.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | March 19, 1936 | 42.07 ft |
| 2 | June 1, 1889 | 39.20 ft |
| 3 | April 27, 1937 | 33.20 ft |
| 4 | October 16, 1942 | 32.68 ft |
| 5 | January 21, 1996 | 32.50 ft |
| 6 | June 23, 1972 | 31.58 ft |
| 7 | November 7, 1985 | 31.44 ft |
| 8 | May 13, 1924 | 29.80 ft |
| 9 | September 8, 1996 | 29.00 ft |
| 10 | October 29, 1937 | 26.78 ft |
| 11 | February 15, 1984 | 26.07 ft |
| 12 | April 17, 1929 | 25.53 ft |
| 13 | October 10, 1976 | 25.31 ft |
| 14 | August 20, 1955 | 25.26 ft |
| 15 | May 14, 1932 | 24.75 ft |
| 16 | February 27, 1979 | 23.60 ft |
| 17 | May 15, 2025 | 23.27 ft |
| 18 | June 4, 2018 | 23.02 ft |
| 19 | March 8, 1967 | 22.54 ft |
| 20 | March 21, 1975 | 22.19 ft |
| 21 | March 5, 1993 | 22.15 ft |
| 22 | December 17, 2018 | 22.12 ft |
| 23 | October 17, 1954 | 22.00 ft |
| 24 | September 11, 2018 | 21.79 ft |
| 25 | March 16, 1986 | 21.43 ft |
Most recent crests
- May 15, 2025: 23.27 ft
- May 8, 2022: 20.00 ft
- March 2, 2021: 17.54 ft
- May 2, 2020: 15.25 ft
- December 17, 2018: 22.12 ft
- September 29, 2018: 21.36 ft
- September 26, 2018: 15.59 ft
- September 11, 2018: 21.79 ft
- June 4, 2018: 23.02 ft
- May 20, 2018: 17.78 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 during winter months.
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.