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.
Gauge Information
Map Overlays
FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layers not showing?
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The FEMA Web Mapping Service (WMS) is down.
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Flood Categories (in feet)
Major Flood Stage:
7
Moderate Flood Stage:
5.3
Flood Stage:
4.2
Action Stage:
3.7
Low Stage (in feet):
-9999
Historic Crests
(1) 11.05 ft on 10/17/1942
(2) 10.55 ft on 03/19/1936
(3) 10.26 ft on 09/19/2003
(4) 9.95 ft on 08/23/1933
(5) 8.68 ft on 06/24/1972 Show More Historic Crests
(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.
Recent Crests
(1) 5.83 ft on 09/24/2023 (P)
(2) 5.48 ft on 05/09/2022 (P)
(3) 5.47 ft on 01/17/2022 (P)
(4) 7.12 ft on 10/29/2021 (P)
(5) 5.19 ft on 05/01/2020 (P) Show More Recent Crests
(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.
Low Water Records Currently none available.
Graphical representation of flood inundation for NWS flood categories are based on steady state hydraulic modeling of water surface elevations for incremented discharges. Map shows approximate inundation areas for given water surface elevations and should not be used for navigation or permitting or other legal purposes, but strictly as a planning reference tool.
Site-specific information: These maps are for "riverine" floods when heavy rain occurs in the watershed and the Potomac River rises.
Tidal/storm surge maps (layers below) are for when hurricanes/tropical storms or extratropical storms occur and water is pushed up the Potomac River.
Cursor readout of inundation depth is not available for the tidal maps.
Both sets of maps DO NOT depict stormwater/interior drainage flooding that can occur when smaller tributaries and storm drains flood from heavy localized rain.
Map layers at this location, while based on riverine flows, were
developed assuming a high tide scenario.
Map layers represent the inundation of the lowest elevation of
intersecting road surfaces. Elevated roadways in metro Washington DC may
remain free of inundation – please refer to “Flood Impacts and Photo”
section below for more details.
Map layers use the assumption that the Potomac Park levee system,
including the 17th Street closure will protect the area behind the levee
system until they are overtopped by water. Privately-owned flood control
structures, DC Water's flood control structures, and the Joint Base
Anacostia-Bolling's levee were not considered in the making of these maps.
Map layers for non-riverine flooding (tidal/storm surge) are available
by turning off/on map layers above this text. Click
here for alternate
viewer for the tidal/storm surge inundation maps.
Extended rating:
The flow/stage relationship above the flood of record is extrapolated based on hydraulic computations by the USACE.
Flood Impacts
If you notice any errors in the below information, please contact our Webmaster
15
Floodwaters approach the Pentagon East parking area, especially during a freshwater flood. Most of the Reagan National Airport runways are flooded. In a tidal flood, water covers portions of the economy parking at Reagan National Airport, and approaches nearby structures. Water approaches Arnold Avenue at Joint Base Anacostia Bolling. A tidal flood at this height could cause even more widespread flooding of the Base. Most of Fort McNair is flooded.
12
Widespread flooding is occurring. Only a few high spots remain dry in East Potomac Park, and around the tidal basin. Floodwaters on Fort McNair go all the way up 5th Avenue. Near the Navy Yard, floodwaters cover past M Street SE. Some runways and taxiways at Reagan National Airport are partially flooded.
11
Floodwaters reach both ends of the north-south runway at Reagan National Airport, and covers some taxiways. The George Washington Parkway is flooded in multiple locations between Arlington National Cemetery and the Airport. Floodwaters approach the back side of a business on the north side of Maine Avenue near I-395. Also, widespread flooding is occurring on the Anacostia, with water on the Navy Yard up to M Street SE.
10
Water approaches the southern end of the runways at Reagan National Airport. This is more likely to occur in a tidal flood at this level. Almost all of East Potomac Park is flooded, along with the western half of the Navy Yard. 5th Avenue SW is flooded up to C Street on Fort McNair. Floodwaters threaten the basement of the Jefferson Memorial.
9
Most of East Potomac Park is flooded, including some buildings. Water approaches the World War II Memorial on 17th Street NW. Moderate flooding is occurring on the Anacostia River with roads and buildings impacted. Water approaches the FDR Memorial. Substantial inundation of a portion of the Navy Yard begins, and water approaches taxiways at Reagan National Airport. Maine Avenue begins to flood near the 14th Street bridge.
8.4
Floodwaters cover Ohio Drive on the Potomac side at the railroad bridge.
7.5
Water approaches portions of the George Washington Memorial Parkway near the 14th Street bridge.
7
Water reaches the parking area of the East Potomac Golf Course. In a freshwater flood, water is overflowing the tidal basin at Independence and 17th, and on East Basin Drive near the Jefferson Memorial.
6.5
A significant portion of East Potomac Park is flooded, including parts of the Hains Point Loop Road. The road will be closed. The western end of the DC seafood market on the Southwest Waterfront is flooded. A portion of the Navy Yard begins to flood as minor inundation begins along the Anacostia River.
5.3
The unprotected area on the Southwest Waterfront at the DC seafood market begins to flood. Water approaches parts of the Hains Point Loop Road, but the road will likely be closed.
4.2
Lowland flooding is occurring along sporadic portions of the seawall adjacent to Ohio Drive and the Hains Point Loop Road.
3.7
Water begins to overflow the lowest spots along the seawall adjacent to Ohio Drive and the Hains Point Loop Road.
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.
Graphical representation of flood inundation for NWS flood categories are based on steady state hydraulic modeling of water surface elevations for incremented discharges. Map shows approximate inundation areas for given water surface elevations and should not be used for navigation or permitting or other legal purposes, but strictly as a planning reference tool.
