Laurel Creek 1SE Damascus
Future / Actual / Minor
OWP 2.0 WWA Modal Title
01/11/2021, 10:04 PM UTC through 01/11/2021, 10:04 PM UTC
Sender
Sent
- Upstream gauge unavailableWarning: no valid ratings curve available. Transformations to and from FEET/CFS/KCFS will not happen.
Traces and Thresholds Click to turn on/off display
CATEGORY STAGE Major Flooding 14 ft Moderate Flooding 12 ft Minor Flooding 8 ft Action 6 ft Reliability of the Forecast:
NOTE: Forecasts are not available. Only observed stages are available for this point.
National Water Model Hydrograph
Official NWS streamflow forecasts are produced by NWS hydrologic forecasters for river gauge locations using hydrologic models which are calibrated to that location. This process considers additional guidance and information, including local expertise and experience, to produce the best forecast possible. The NWM output provides supplemental guidance to NWS forecasters and should not be considered an official NWS river forecast.
Flood Impacts
- 18 - Helene crest roughly reached this stage at the initial gage location on Orchard Hill Road bridge (which washed away). That road is perpendicular to the stream and is built up a couple of feet, acting as a mini dam slightly enhancing the flooding immediately upstream. The Bicycle Junction building has 3 to 4 feet of water, and Hwy 58 at that spot is flooded.
- 17.9 - The Old Mill Dam where the stream leaves downtown is about 7 feet above the downstream streambed, helping to spread such an extreme event's flood water across the flat downtown flood plain. Helene's flood watermark at the post office (which took 2 feet of water) on N Reynolds St was only 6.5 feet above a normal pond level, while water a block upstream on N Shady Ave at the funeral home (street flooding but avoided water intrusion) was 9.5 feet above normal stream level.
- 17.8 - East Laurel Avenue bridge is topped, and water flows through downtown across much of Laurel Avenue. Portions of North Beaver Dam Road (Hwy 58) along the creek are inundated. Portions of Cornett Road are inundated. Near Laurel Community Church, nearby basements are flooded, and across the stream Cornett Road has 3 feet of water and a horse barn has a foot of water.
- 17.5 - Water reaches the bottom of the lowest portion of Vails Mill Road bridge, and threatens the left bank cabins immediately upstream.
- 16.5 - Water tops onto the East Laurel Avenue bridge. (This is estimated due to Helene's alteration of and debris depost in the stream bed at this point.)
- 16 - Water reaches the surface of the Mountain City Road (Hwy 91) bridge.
- 14.5 - Flooding of low spots on Cornett Road. Some structures along Railroad Ave may be impacted.
- 14 - Water might begin penetrating the Baptist church basement level at East Laurel Avenue, perhaps through the windows on the stream side. (This is estimated due to Helene's alteration of and debris depost in the stream bed at this point.)
- 13.5 - Water reaches the bottom of the Mountain City Road (Hwy 91) bridge. Water may be impacting structures on the left bank downstream from the Vails Mill Road bridge. Flooding of the Bicycle Junction parking lot begins.
- 13 - Some structures downstream from E Laurel Ave bridge are impacted.
- 12 - Stream reaches the bottom of the East Laurel Avenue bridge. Water may reach the outdoor pavilion floor at the Baptist church near this bridge. (This is estimated due to Helene's alteration of and debris depost in the stream bed at this point.)
- 10 - Flooding begins to threaten portions of Highways 91 and 58, and various low lying roads. Water reaches the surface of the streamside deck behind The Orchard on Hwy 58 northwest of town.
- 8 - Stream leaves its banks around Hwy 91.
- 6 - Low lying areas downstream, including where Helene wiped out a trailer park, begin to be affected.
Gauge Info
Coordinates | 36.6256, -81.7705 |
RFC | LMRFC |
State | VA |
WFO | MRX |
County | Washington |
Data Provider(s) | |
VDEM | Virginia Dept. of Emergency Management |
Gauge Location
Recent Crests
1. | 6.21 ft | on 02-13-2025 |
2. | 18.00 ft | on 09-27-2024 |
3. | 9.90 ft | on 11-19-2003 |
Recent Crests
1. | 6.21 ft | on 02-13-2025 |
2. | 18.00 ft | on 09-27-2024 |
3. | 9.90 ft | on 11-19-2003 |
Historic Crests
1. | 18.00 ft | on 09-27-2024 |
2. | 9.90 ft | on 11-19-2003 |
3. | 6.21 ft | on 02-13-2025 |
Historic Crests
1. | 18.00 ft | on 09-27-2024 |
2. | 9.90 ft | on 11-19-2003 |
3. | 6.21 ft | on 02-13-2025 |
Vertical Datum Table
type | NAVD88 |
---|---|
major Flooding | 1984.85 ft |
moderate Flooding | 1982.85 ft |
minor Flooding | 1978.85 ft |
action | 1976.85 ft |
Latest Value | 1973.49 ft |
Gauge Zero | 1970.85 ft |
Gauge Photos
No Images Found
Probability Information
No Images Available
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.