Skip Navigation

weather.gov

NOAA - Click to go to the NOAA homepage National Weather Service Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service NWS logo - Click to go to the NWS homepage
Navbar left image Home News Organization
Navbar End cap

Potomac River at Alexandria, VA (AXTV2)


Data Type




Inundation Levels
NAVD88 Stage

13.413.4
13.013.0
11.811.8
11.011.0
9.89.8
9.09.0
Record Crest: 8.66 ft
7.97.9
6.86.8

Major Flooding Begins

6.36.3
5.35.3
4.94.9
4.44.4

Moderate Flooding Begins

3.83.8

Minor Flooding Begins

3.23.2
3.03.0

Near Flooding Begins

2.32.3
1.71.7
1.11.1

Below Flooding Begins

* = Extended rating
Weather Forecast Office (Baltimore/Washington) Sterling, VA Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center
Hydrograph River at a Glance Download Inundation
Mapping
Loading...

Click on mapped inundation to see water depth values for that location, or hold shift and drag to zoom to area.

Current Stage:
0.7 ft at 03/29/2024 12:24:00 UTC
Selected Inundation
Mouse Location

North Arrow

Inundation Legend
Depth in feet
USGS Gauge Location Gauge Location
What is UTC time? Map Help

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.

Gauge Information Collapse

Map Overlays

Flood Categories (in feet)
Major Flood Stage: 6.6
Moderate Flood Stage: 4.2
Flood Stage: 3.3
Action Stage: 2.5
Low Stage (in feet): -9999

Historic Crests
(1) 8.66 ft on 09/19/2003
(2) 7.40 ft on 03/19/1936
(3) 5.99 ft on 10/29/2021 (P)
(4) 5.06 ft on 04/16/2011
(5) 5.04 ft on 09/10/2018
Show More Historic Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Recent Crests
(1) 4.44 ft on 09/24/2023 (P)
(2) 4.53 ft on 04/07/2023 (P)
(3) 4.27 ft on 01/17/2022 (P)
(4) 5.99 ft on 10/29/2021 (P)
(5) 3.87 ft on 05/01/2020 (P)
Show More Recent Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Low Water Records
Currently none available.

Graphical representation of flood inundation for NWS flood categories are based on steady state hydraulic modeling of water surface elevations for incremented discharges. Map shows approximate inundation areas for given water surface elevations and should not be used for navigation or permitting or other legal purposes, but strictly as a planning reference tool.

Site-specific information:
These maps are for "riverine" floods when heavy rain occurs in the watershed and the Potomac River rises. Tidal/storm surge maps (layers below) are for when hurricanes/tropical storms or extratropical storms occur and water is pushed up the Potomac River.  Cursor readout of inundation depth is not available for the tidal maps.  Both sets of maps DO NOT depict stormwater/interior drainage flooding that can occur when smaller tributaries and storm drains flood from heavy localized rain.

  • Map layers at this location, while based on riverine flows, were developed assuming a high tide scenario.
  • Map layers represent the inundation of the lowest elevation of intersecting road surfaces. Elevated roadways in metro Washington DC may remain free of inundation – please refer to “Flood Impacts and Photo” section below for more details.
  • Map layers use the assumption that the Potomac Park levee system, including the 17th Street closure will protect the area behind the levee system until they are overtopped by water. Privately-owned flood control structures, DC Water's flood control structures, and the Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling's levee were not considered in the making of these maps.
  • Map layers for non-riverine flooding (tidal/storm surge) are available by turning off/on map layers above this text. Click here for alternate viewer for the tidal/storm surge inundation maps.

Extended rating:
The flow/stage relationship above the flood of record is extrapolated based on hydraulic computations by the USACE.

Flood Impacts Collapse
If you notice any errors in the below information, please contact our Webmaster
9 Flooding is occurring nearshore at Joint Base Anacostia Bolling near the marina and at the Naval Research Lab. Daingerfield Island is completely flooded. Union Street is flooded for almost its entire length in Alexandria. Dozens of structures are impacted. Widespread backwater flooding is affecting Huntington and Belle View.
7.5 On Joint Base Anacostia Bolling, floodwaters cross Giovanni Way with structures affected. Daingerfield Island is almost totally underwater. In Alexandria, flooding reaches the east end of Madison Street with structures flooded. Union Street is flooded between Queen Street and Duke Street with numerous structures impacted. A large section of the George Washington Parkway is flooded and closed both north and south of Old Town Alexandria.
6.5 Water approaches the George Washington Parkway near Daingerfield Island and Belle Haven. Flooding is occurring near the Joint Base Anacostia Bolling marina. Significant flooding is occurring along Union Street in Old Town Alexandria, along with nearby streets. Flooding is also occurring further south at Jones Point.
5.5 Floodwaters reach about a block and a half inland at King Street and cover several blocks of Union Street in Alexandria.
5 Flooding begins in the vicinity of the Joint Base Anacostia Bolling marina. Access to the Daingerfield Island area is cut off due to flooding. Several parks along the Alexandria waterfront are flooded. Union Street is flooded between Wales Alley and Thompson Alley. Lower portions of King Street, Prince Street, and Strand Street are flooded. Water approaches the southern tip of Lee Street.
4.5 Flooding is ongoing at several businesses near the intersection of King Street and Union Street.
4 Water approaches buildings near the intersection of King Street and Union Street. This flooding will be slightly more widespread in a tidal flood than a freshwater flood.
3.75 Union Street is covered by water near King Street.
3.25 Water covers the easternmost end of King Street.
3.1 Water reaches the curb near the intersection of King Street and Strand Street.
2.7 Water begins to pool near the corner of Strand Street and Wales Alley in Alexandria.
Other Data Sources Collapse
Resources Collapse
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
Ask Questions/Webmaster
Page last modified: 2-Nov-2020 7:34 PM
Disclaimer
Credits
Glossary
Privacy Policy
About Us
Career Opportunities
Graphical representation of flood inundation for NWS flood categories are based on steady state hydraulic modeling of water surface elevations for incremented discharges. Map shows approximate inundation areas for given water surface elevations and should not be used for navigation or permitting or other legal purposes, but strictly as a planning reference tool.