National Weather Service Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service

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This probabilistic forecast is issued by the Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center.

	Hydrograph			River at a Glance			Download			Probability Information Chance of Exceeding Levels During Entire Period Weekly Chance of Exceeding Levels Short-term Probabilistic Guidance (Experimental)

About this graph

Forecasts for the Potomac River at Shepherdstown are issued routinely year-round.

Return to Area Map

Zoom Level:16

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) 17.54 ft on 03/02/2021
(2) 15.25 ft on 05/02/2020 (P)
(3) 22.12 ft on 12/17/2018
(4) 21.36 ft on 09/29/2018
(5) 15.59 ft on 09/26/2018
Show More Recent Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Low Water Records
Currently none available.

	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
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.
11	Water begins to cover the C&O Canal towpath 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, and is a foot or less deep on the lowest portions of the C&O Canal towpath upstream of McMahons Mill near Big Slackwater.

Other Real-time and/or Archive Data Sources:

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

Additional Information

Potential River Levels - Used to

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.

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
(703) 996-2200
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Page last modified: 2-Nov-2020 7:30 PM

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