Rivers in West Virginia
Tug Fork River at Williamson
Below flood stage
2.57ftStage
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 12:00 AM EDT
- Flood stage
- 27.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 2.50 ftWed, Sep 23, 8:00 AM EDT
- Record crest
- 52.56 ft1977
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 42.70 ft |
| Moderate flood | 32.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 27.00 ft |
| Action | 25.00 ft |
- 63.00 ftThe Flood wall will protect downtown Williamson up to 63 feet. Major flooding occurs outside the flood walls.
- 43.00 ftThe Sycamore Inn, 2nd Avenue Bridge, Riverside School and both Armory Road flood gates are closed at 43 feet and above.
- 42.70 ftMany homes and business outside the flood walls are flooded in Williamson and South Williamson.
- 40.00 ftBetween 40 and 42 feet, the upper flood gate at the water treatment plant, across the rail lines and the Harvey Street Bridge flood gate are closed.
- 38.00 ftThe South Williamson flood gate is closed on Highway 292. Also, sections of Highway 292 outside the flood gate is flooded.
- 37.00 ftSeveral roads outside of Williamson and South Williamson are flooded and closed. The flood gate is closed at the South Williamson Flood Wall.
- 34.00 ftWater surrounds the water treatment plant in Williamson.
- 32.00 ftWater covers Fairview Addition Road (Old Route 52). More areas near the river outside the flood walls are flooded.
- 29.50 ftThe railroad yard in Williamson is affected. Route 612 near Turkey Creek in South Williamson floods. Also, low areas next to the river outside the flood walls of Williamson West Virginia and South Williamson Kentucky are flooded.
- 28.00 ftThe water treatment plant flood gate in Williamson is closed.
- 27.00 ftRoute 612 near Turkey Creek in South Williamson floods. Also, Both the Harvey and Vinson Street water pumps are engaged.
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
63 crests on NOAA’s list since 1875.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 5, 1977 | 52.56 ft |
| 2 | February 16, 2025 | 48.35 ft |
| 3 | May 8, 1984 | 44.94 ft |
| 4 | March 12, 1963 | 44.50 ft |
| 5 | January 30, 1957 | 43.60 ft |
| 6 | May 3, 2002 | 42.15 ft |
| 7 | July 29, 1875 | 42.00 ft |
| 8 | May 10, 2009 | 40.73 ft |
| 9 | March 7, 1967 | 40.70 ft |
| 10 | March 5, 2015 | 39.65 ft |
| 11 | March 2, 2021 | 39.40 ft |
| 12 | February 16, 2003 | 38.37 ft |
| 13 | January 19, 1918 | 38.10 ft |
| 14 | January 26, 1978 | 37.80 ft |
| 15 | March 1, 1955 | 37.40 ft |
| 16 | January 12, 1974 | 37.37 ft |
| 17 | May 7, 1958 | 36.30 ft |
| 18 | February 11, 2018 | 35.93 ft |
| 19 | March 7, 1955 | 35.80 ft |
| 20 | April 16, 2007 | 35.20 ft |
| 21 | March 17, 1973 | 34.30 ft |
| 22 | February 7, 2020 | 34.18 ft |
| 23 | December 12, 1926 | 34.00 ft |
| 24 | February 3, 1939 | 33.90 ft |
| 25 | May 16, 1996 | 33.46 ft |
Most recent crests
- February 16, 2025: 48.35 ft
- February 18, 2023: 28.73 ft
- January 2, 2022: 28.14 ft
- March 29, 2021: 27.67 ft
- March 2, 2021: 39.40 ft
- February 7, 2020: 34.18 ft
- February 11, 2018: 35.93 ft
- March 5, 2015: 39.65 ft
- January 31, 2013: 28.27 ft
- May 10, 2009: 40.73 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
Forecasts by the Ohio River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely year-round. River Forecasts typically include ONLY 2 days of future rain from <u>forecast issuance time</u> (lower right of graph). Occasionally 3 days of future rain included.
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.