Kanawha River at Kanawha Falls

Last updated: Jul 16, 2025, 7:23 AM UTC
No watches, warnings or advisories are in effect for this area.

Flood Impacts 🅘

  • 41 - Railroad tracks upstream and downstream of County Route 13 bridge floods.
  • 35 - Most areas next to river are flooded.
  • 30 - Homes, just above county route 13 bridge and along Hairdo Lane are flooded. Several houses in Charlton Heights approximatly 2 miles downstream from the County Route 13 bridge start to flood.
  • 27 - The park, near the water falls, is flooded. Homes, just upstream from the County Route 13 bridge, start to flood. Several houses in Charlton Heights approximatly 2 miles downstream from the County Route 13 bridge begin to be affected by water.
  • 25 - Low lying areas near the river in Kanawha Falls and Glen Ferris start to have water problems.

Gauge Info

Coordinates 38.1381, -81.2144
RFC OHRFC
State WV
WFO RLX
County Fayette
Data Provider(s)
US Geological Survey USGS--Water Resources of the United States
USGS 03193000

Gauge Location

Recent Crests

1. 15.28 ft on 05-17-2014
2. 19.01 ft on 02-01-2013
3. 20.63 ft on 01-19-1996
4. 18.30 ft on 03-24-1993
5. 15.43 ft on 04-23-1992

Historic Crests

1. 37.80 ft on 09-14-1878 1
2. 27.37 ft on 04-04-1977
3. 21.60 ft on 01-29-1957
4. 20.63 ft on 01-19-1996
5. 20.62 ft on 02-26-1972
6. 19.41 ft on 04-05-1977
7. 19.01 ft on 02-01-2013
8. 19.00 ft on 03-25-1935
9. 18.89 ft on 05-07-1984
10. 18.54 ft on 12-31-1969

Low Water Records

1. -0.95 ft on 08-15-1930
2. -0.90 ft on 10-29-1921
3. -0.82 ft on 09-30-1946
4. -0.79 ft on 10-09-1947
5. -0.70 ft on 08-05-1955

Vertical Datum Table

type NAVD88
major Flooding 655.40 ft
moderate Flooding 650.40 ft
minor Flooding 647.40 ft
action 645.40 ft
Latest Value 623.64 ft
Gauge Zero 620.40 ft

Gauge Photos

Photo 1 of 3

Staff gages

Probability Information

Photo 1 of 3

Unique Local Info

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) 10 Day (NAEFS) River Forecast vs. River Potential
HEFS Ensemble NAEFS Ensemble One Page Explainer

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

See the Product Description Document link for more details on the interpretation of the 10 day graphics.

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.

WFO Information

Weather Forecast Office
Charleston
1754 Hendrickson Drive
South Charleston, WV 25303
Official Homepage