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Visit https://www.weather.gov/owp/operations for access to new EXPERIMENTAL products and services from the National Water Center: National Hydrologic Discussion, Area Hydrologic Discussion, Flood Hazard Outlook and the National Water Center Visualization Services, a suite of geospatial services depicting River Forecast Center and National Water Model information.

Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA

Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center

Hydrograph

Printable Image

About this graph

Tabular Data (UTC)

Tabular Data (EDT)

Datum: NAVD88

Metadata

NOTE: Gauge reading affected by tides.

NOTE: Forecasts for the James River (VA) at Richmond Locks are issued routinely year-round.

Return to Area Map

Upstream Gauge

Downstream Gauge

Flood Categories (in feet)

Major Flood Stage:	28
Moderate Flood Stage:	19
Flood Stage:	8
Action Stage:	6
Low Stage (in feet):	-9999

Historic Crests
(1) 36.50 ft on 06/23/1972
(2) 30.76 ft on 11/07/1985
(3) 28.60 ft on 08/22/1969
(4) 26.50 ft on 03/30/1936
(5) 25.20 ft on 04/27/1937
Show More Historic Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Recent Crests
(1) 8.44 ft on 02/17/2021
(2) 9.16 ft on 12/26/2020
(3) 8.22 ft on 12/01/2020
(4) 16.96 ft on 11/14/2020
(5) 11.36 ft on 10/31/2020
Show More Recent Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Low Water Records
(1) -3.80 ft on 04/05/1970
(2) -3.47 ft on 03/03/2018
(3) -2.90 ft on 12/08/1962
(4) -2.80 ft on 12/13/1899
(5) -2.70 ft on 12/17/1968
Show More Low Water Records

For more information on your flood risk go to www.floodsmart.gov.

Show FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layers

Zoom Level:14

	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

If you notice any errors in the below information, please contact our Webmaster
41	Flood wall is overtopped, protected area will need to be evacuated.
35.5	Record flooding begins.
35	River stage sensor operating limit
33.5	Near record flooding begins.
29	Goodes Street is closed.
28	Major flooding begins.
27	Intersection of 21st Street and Cary street is closed.
24	Mayo Bridge is closed.
23	Tredegar Street is closed.
19	Moderate flooding begins, Brander Street is closed.
17	Dock Street is closed from 18th Street to East Main Street...State Route 5.
16	The main access into the waste water treatment plant is flooded from Maury Street into Brander Street.
14	Riverside Drive begins flooding.
12.8	Water enters the Intermediate Terminal area.
12.5	Lehigh Portland Cement Company is flooded.
12	Dock Street is closed between Pear Street and East Main Street...State Route 5.
11	Water is entering Dock Street.
9	The Ancarrow's Boat Landing is closed at this level.
8	Minor flooding begins.
Photos (1) A view of the James River downstream (2) A view of the James River cross-channel

About This Location

Latitude: 37.525000° N, Longitude: 77.421111° W, Horizontal Datum: NAD27

River Stage Reference Frame	Gauge Height	Flood Stage	Uses
NWS stage	0 ft	8 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	0 ft	8 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	Not Available	Not Available

Current/Historical Observations:

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Data and Site Info for Richmond Locks

Additional Information

Gage Photos

Hydromet Outlook

24 Hour Hydrometerological

Outlook Link to Graphic

Hydro Forecast Discussion

Significant Flood Outlook

Significant River Flood Outlook Link to Graphic

Flash Flood Guidance

Additional Water and Weather Topics from the Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center (MARFC):
MARFC Home Page, Current Hazards, Current Conditions James River, Current Conditions Appomattox River,
Water Resources, Observed precipitation, Radar, Tropical Weather, Climate,
Flood History, About the MARFC, Contact Us

Resources

Hydrologic Resources

Additional Resources

Collaborative Agencies

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
Wakefield Weather Forecast Office
10009 General Mahone Hwy
Wakefield, VA 23888
(757) 899-4200
Ask Questions/Webmaster
Page last modified: 2-Nov-2020 7:30 PM

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