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Over 200 USGS real-time streamgages used to support NWS river forecasts and warnings are at risk of being discontinued. Click here for more information from the USGS...
Weather Forecast Office Charleston, WV Ohio River Forecast Center
Hydrograph River at a Glance Download Weekly Chance of
Exceeding Levels		 Chance of Exceeding Levels
During Entire Period
Kanawha River at South Side Bridge Stage (ft)Flow (kcfs)Highest Observation: 8.7 ft at 8:00PM May 17, 2013Observed: 8.1 ft at 8:00AM May 18, 2013Observed: 8 ft at 8:00PM May 18, 2013Observed: 8.5 ft at 8:00AM May 19, 2013Observed: 8 ft at 8:00PM May 19, 2013Observed: 8.1 ft at 8:00AM May 20, 2013Forecast: 8 ft 8:00PM May 20, 2013Forecast: 8 ft 2:00AM May 21, 2013Forecast: 8.1 ft 8:00AM May 21, 2013Forecast: 8.2 ft 2:00PM May 21, 2013Forecast: 8.2 ft 8:00PM May 21, 2013Forecast: 8.3 ft 2:00AM May 22, 2013Forecast: 8.4 ft 8:00AM May 22, 2013Highest Forecast: 8.5 ft 2:00PM May 22, 2013Forecast: 8.4 ft 8:00PM May 22, 2013Forecast: 8.4 ft 2:00AM May 23, 2013Forecast: 8.4 ft 8:00AM May 23, 2013Forecast: 8.4 ft 2:00PM May 23, 2013CRSW2(plotting HGIRP) Graph Created (4:32PM May 20, 2013)ObservedForecast (issued 11:30AM May 20)Latest observed value: 8.1 ft at 8:00 AM EDT 20-May-2013. Flood Stage is 30 ft
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Datum: NAVD88
Metadata
NOTE: Gauge readings received once daily during low-water and more frequently during high water.

Reliability of the Forecast: Based on current and forecast river, weather and reservoir conditions

NOTE: Forecasts for the Kanawha River at South Side Bridge are issued routinely year-round.

Vertical datum height estimated from NGVD29 to NAVD88 using the NGS VERTCON conversion program

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Upstream Gauge - at Kanawha Falls Upstream Gauge Downstream Gauge Downstream Gauge - at Charleston Lk 6
Flood Categories (in feet)
Major Flood Stage:40
Moderate Flood Stage:35
Flood Stage:30
Action Stage:26

Historical Crests
(1) 47.60 ft on 01/01/1840
(2) 46.87 ft on 09/29/1861
(3) 43.00 ft on 01/01/1822
(4) 41.63 ft on 09/14/1878
(5) 41.50 ft on 02/23/1897
(6) 41.25 ft on 03/05/1899
(7) 39.35 ft on 04/01/1886
(8) 38.60 ft on 12/30/1901
(9) 38.50 ft on 05/23/1901
(10) 38.10 ft on 01/01/1865
Show More Historical Crests

Low Water Records
(1) -0.10 ft on 09/01/1861
(2) -0.10 ft on 09/15/1881
(3) 1.00 ft on 01/01/1879
(4) 5.00 ft on 08/17/1988
(5) 6.00 ft on 11/04/1989
Legend
Gauge Location
Disclaimer
Latitude/Longitude Disclaimer: The gauge location shown in the above map is the approximate location based on the latitude/longitude coordinates provided to the NWS by the gauge owner.
Flood Impacts & Photos Collapse
48 MAJOR FLOODING OF THE CITY OF CHARLESTON AND SURROUNDING AREAS.
47 KANAWHA BOULEVARD NEAR SOUTH SIDE BRIDGE IS FLOODED.
44 WATER REACHES THE BASE OF HOMES ALONG KANAWHA BOULEVARD, WEST OF THE INTERSTATE BRIDGE, NEAR MAGIC ISLAND. KANAWHA BOULEVARD IS ALSO FLOODED IN THIS AREA. SECTIONS OF MCCORKLE AVENUE (ROUTE 60) NEAR THE WEST VIRGINIA LOTTERY, NEAR INTERSTATE BRIDGE AND EAST OF RAILROAD STATION ARE FLOODED.
43 WATER IS AT THE BASE OF UNION BUILDING ON KANAWHA BOULEVARD.
40 SOUTH SIDE BRIDGE PARKING LOT ALONG KANAWHA BOULEVARD IS FLOODED.
38.7 WATER IS TO BOTTOM OF HADDAD PARK BATHROOMS AND MOST OF PARK IS FLOODED.
38 THE CSX RAILROAD TRACKS, KANAWHA BOULEVARD, AND PARK AVENUE ON THE WEST SIDE OF CHARLESTON BEGINS TO FLOOD.
35 THE CSX RAILROAD UNDERPASS NEAR THE SOUTHSIDE BRIDGE, LOW SECTIONS OF MACCORKLE AVENUE BEWTWEEN THE SOUTHSIDE BRIDGE AND THE THIRTY FIFTH STREET BRIDGE, AND THIRTY FIFTH AND THRITY THIRD STREETS IN KANAWHA CITY.
32 U.S. ROUTE 60 PATRICK STREET AND U.S. ROUTE 119 IN THE CITY OF CHARLESTON BEGINS TO FLOOD.
31.6 PATRICK STREET AT 6TH AVENUE BEGINS TO FLOOD.
30 BIGLEY AVENUE AT MAGAZINE BRANCH BEGINS TO FLOOD.
29.5 CRESCENT ROAD AT MAGAZINE BRANCH BEGINS TO FLOOD.
29.3 GRANT STREET AT ELM STREET BEGINS TO FLOOD.
29 THE UNDERPASS AT MCCORKLE AND ROUTE 119 IS FLOODED.
27 IOWA STREET AT 5TH AVENUE BEGINS TO FLOOD.
26 RIVERBANK SIDEWALK NEAR SOUTH SIDE BRIDGE AND HADDAD PARK IS FLOODED.
23.6 THE NORTH CHARLESTON FIRE DEPARTMENT BASEMENT BEGINS TO FLOOD.
22 PORTIONS OF MAGIC ISLAND UNDER WATER. BACKWATER AFFECTS START ALONG THE ELK RIVER PORTION OF THE CITY.
17.5 WATER IS UP TO THE BOTTOM STEPS OF HADDAD PARK.
17.2 UPPER PIER OF HADDAD PARK IS FLOODED.
12 BOTTOM PIER OF HADDAD PARK IS FLOODED.
Photos
(1) View from above
(2) South Side Bridge gage
(3) South Side Bridge Staff gage
(4) Upstream View
(5) Downstream View
About This Location Collapse

Latitude: 38.347500° N, Longitude: 81.636111° W, Horizontal Datum: NAD27

River Stage
Reference Frame		 Gauge Height Flood Stage Uses
NWS stage 0 ft 30 ft Interpreting hydrographs and NWS watch, warnings, and forecasts, and inundation maps
Vertical Datum Elevation
(gauge height = 0)		 Elevation
(gauge height = flood stage)		 Elevation information source
NAVD88 557.997 ft 587.997 ft Survey grade GPS equipment, FEMA flood plain maps, newer USGS topographic maps
NGVD 29 Not Available Not Available Older USGS topographic maps, NGVD29 benchmarks
MSL Not Available Not Available Older USGS topographic maps, MSL benchmarks
Other 558.650 ft 588.650 ft  
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Hydrologic Resources Additional Resources
Collaborative Agencies Collapse
The National Weather Service prepares its forecasts and other services in collaboration with agencies like the US Geological Survey, US Bureau of Reclamation, US Army Corps of Engineers, Natural Resource Conservation Service, National Park Service, ALERT Users Group, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and many state and local emergency managers across the country. For details, please click here.
NWS Information
National Weather Service
Charleston Weather Forecast Office
400 Parkway Road
Charleston, WV 25309
(304) 746-0180
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