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This probabilistic forecast is issued by the Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center.
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About this graph
Forecasts for the Potomac River at Point of Rocks are issued routinely year-round.
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Zoom Level:14
Flood Categories (in feet)
Major Flood Stage: 27
Moderate Flood Stage: 20
Flood Stage: 16
Action Stage: 11
Low Stage (in feet): -9999

Historic Crests
(1) 41.03 ft on 03/19/1936
(2) 40.43 ft on 10/16/1942
(3) 40.20 ft on 06/02/1889
(4) 37.43 ft on 06/23/1972
(5) 36.34 ft on 01/21/1996
Show More Historic Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Recent Crests
(1) 18.29 ft on 05/09/2022 (P)
(2) 16.39 ft on 03/02/2021
(3) 22.40 ft on 12/17/2018
(4) 21.39 ft on 09/29/2018
(5) 19.92 ft on 09/11/2018
Show More Recent Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Low Water Records
(1) 0.30 ft on 09/11/1966
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Gauge LocationGauge Map Marker
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
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40 Water reaches the lowest portion of the city of Brunswick, above the railroad tracks.
35 The MARC station in Point of Rocks is flooded. At least two feet of water covers much of Maryland State Route 28 in the city. Water begins to enter homes and businesses in Point of Rocks along Route 28.
32 Water covers Maryland State Route 28 in Point of Rocks near the MARC station.
31 Water reaches the MARC parking lot at Brunswick.
30 Water reaches a home on the Loudoun County side of the river near Point of Rocks. Water also reaches the Brunswick train yard and covers portions of the MARC parking lot at Point of Rocks, and covers Old Commerce Street in Point of Rocks.
29 Water completely covers the comfort station at the Point of Rocks boat ramp.
27 Water covers a large section of the C&O Canal towpath in Frederick County, Maryland. Water also reaches the railroad tracks at Point of Rocks.
25 Water reaches outbuildings on the Loudoun County side of the river near Point of Rocks.
23 Floodwaters completely cover the comfort station at the Brunswick boat ramp, and reach the comfort station at the Point of Rocks boat ramp. The upper parking lot at the Point of Rocks boat ramp begins to flood.
22 Water begins to cover the C&O Canal towpath near Point of Rocks and Brunswick.
20 The boat ramp and lower parking lot at Point of Rocks are flooded. Water approaches the water treatment plant in Brunswick. Farmland behind the Tarara Vineyard is flooded.
18 Water approaches structures at the Brunswick campground.
17 Water enters the comfort station at the Brunswick boat ramp parking area.
16 The parking lots at both the McKimmey and Brunswick boat ramps begin to flood. Flooding of an agricultural field adjacent to the McKimmey boat ramp is occurring. About half the lower parking lot of the Point of Rocks boat ramp is also flooded.
15 Several lowland forested areas, mainly on islands, begin to flood.
14 Water completely covers the Nolands Ferry boat ramp and begins to flood the parking lot nearby.
13 Water begins to cover low lying areas within the Brunswick campground.
12.5 The Point of Rocks boat ramp is completely covered by water, and water begins to affect the lower parking lot nearby.
11 Water covers the parking lot of the Lander boat ramp. Campers and other recreational interests should begin to move away from the river.
5.5 The river reaches danger level for boaters, as defined by the State of Maryland. Conditions are extremely hazardous.
2 The river reaches caution level for boaters, as defined by the State of Maryland. Fast moving water and changing currents can be expected.
Photos
(1) USGS Wellhouse Adjacent to US Route 15 at Point of Rocks
(2) Staff Gage Being Installed in 1993 on US Route 15 Bridge Support Beam
(3) Looking Upstream at Paton Island from US 15 Bridge
(4) Railroad Tunnel Just Above Gage on Maryland Side of Potomac

Other Real-time and/or Archive Data Sources:

Additional Information Collapse
Potential River Levels - Used to
Potential River Levels
Used to Estimate the Chance of Flooding and the Range of Possible River Levels
10 Day (HEFS) 7 Day (NAEFS) 7 Day (GEFS)
HEFS Ensemble NAEFS Ensemble GEFS Ensemble

Note: Use the official hydrograph at the top of this web page for river levels within the next 72 hours.

Click individual graphics to enlarge.

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
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(571) 888-3500
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Page last modified: 2-Nov-2020 7:30 PM
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