Web Portal Changes: The Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (AHPS) hosted at https://water.weather.gov will be replaced by the National Water Prediction Service (NWPS), with a target of Spring 2024. Existing AHPS content and features will be preserved and expanded within NWPS. The NWS is now accepting feedback on NWPS. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/owp/operations for more information.

Experimental National Water Center Products: Flood Inundation Mapping services are now available for 10% of the U.S. population. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/owp/operations for more information. The National Hydrologic Discussion, Area Hydrologic Discussion, Flood Hazard Outlook, and real-time geospatial services depicting River Forecast Center and National Water Model forecasts, continue to be accessible via the URL above, as described in the StoryMap here.

DID YOU KNOW... Please try our new TEST hydrograph page link at: https://preview.water.noaa.gov/gauges/abcde - Just replace “abcde” with your local hydrograph five character ID found in the lower left corner of the hydrograph.  In late March of 2024, the base URL path will become water.noaa.gov.  Feedback can be provided HERE

Weather Forecast Office (Baltimore/Washington) Sterling, VA

Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center

Hydrograph

River at a Glance

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Probability Information Chance of Exceeding Levels During Entire Period Weekly Chance of Exceeding Levels Short-term Probabilistic Guidance (Experimental)

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Printable Image About this graph Tabular Data (UTC) Tabular Data (EST) Datum: Not Available Metadata

NOTE: Stage may be affected by ice during winter months. NOTE: Forecasts for the Potomac River at Shepherdstown are issued routinely year-round.

Default Hydrograph Scale to Flood Categories   Return to Area Map

Upstream Gauge

Downstream Gauge

Flood Categories (in feet) Major Flood Stage: 25 Moderate Flood Stage: 22 Flood Stage: 15 Action Stage: 8 Low Stage (in feet): -9999 Historic Crests (1) 42.07 ft on 03/19/1936 (2) 39.20 ft on 06/01/1889 (3) 33.20 ft on 04/27/1937 (4) 32.68 ft on 10/16/1942 (5) 32.50 ft on 01/21/1996 Show More Historic Crests (P): Preliminary values subject to further review. Recent Crests (1) 20.00 ft on 05/08/2022 (P) (2) 17.54 ft on 03/02/2021 (3) 15.25 ft on 05/02/2020 (P) (4) 22.12 ft on 12/17/2018 (5) 21.36 ft on 09/29/2018 Show More Recent Crests (P): Preliminary values subject to further review. Low Water Records Currently none available.

Zoom Level:16 Legend FEMA Layer 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

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25	Significant flooding is occurring throughout this stretch of the Potomac, with numerous buildings and roads inundated, and a few homes. Major impacts are occurring on C&O Canal property.
24	Water begins to cover the parking lot adjacent to the Shepherdstown boat ramp, and approaches the lowest point of an adjacent building. Water also reaches the upper parking area of the boat ramp adjacent to Dam Number Four on the West Virginia side of the river.
22	Water approaches homes on the West Virginia side of the river near Shepherdstown, and impacts are also observed on the Maryland side, not just to the C&O Canal towpath, but also to roads and structures.
19	Water covers the pedestrian bridge adjacent to the Shepherdstown boat ramp. Significant portions of the C&O Canal towpath are flooded.
16	Water goes over the banks of the Potomac near the mouth of the Opequon River.
15	River Road is completely flooded in low spots between Shepherdstown and Harpers Ferry. Significant portions of the C&O Canal towpath are flooded between McMahons Mill and Dam Number Four.
13	River Road near Shepherdstown begins to flood. Water completely covers the boat ramp at Shepherdstown.
12	Water reaches the lowest part of the parking areas at Big Slackwater and Taylors Landing on the Maryland side of the river.
10	Water begins to cover the C&O Canal towpath upstream and downstream of McMahons Mill.
8	Water covers the lower parking area of the boat ramp adjacent to Dam Number Four on the West Virginia side of the river.

About This Location

Latitude: 39.434722° N, Longitude: 77.801389° W, Horizontal Datum: NAD83/WGS84 River Stage Reference Frame Gauge Height Flood Stage Uses NWS stage 0 ft 15 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 Not Available Not Available 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 Shepherdstown

Additional Information

Potential River Levels Used to Estimate the Chance of Flooding and the Range of Possible River Levels 7 Day (NAEFS) 7 Day (GEFS) 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.

Resources

Hydrologic Resources Text Products Past Precipitation Forecast Precipitation River Forecast Centers River Stage Summary Automated Flood Warning Systems Inundation Mapping Locations

Additional Resources Area Hydrographs NWS Precipitation and River Forecasting AHPS Iframes for Developers Mobile iNWS for emergency management Snow Information Ensemble River Forecasts Hourly Precipitation

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 (Baltimore/Washington) Sterling Weather Forecast Office 43858 Weather Service Rd. Sterling, VA 20166 (571) 888-3500 Ask Questions/Webmaster Page last modified: 2-Nov-2020 7:30 PM Disclaimer Credits Glossary Privacy Policy About Us Career Opportunities