Major Flood
23 ft
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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FLOOD STAGES
Know the flood categories.
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
Moderate Flood
21 ft
Minor Flood
17 ft
Action Stage
12 ft
What Floods at Each Level
35 ft
Levees protect the city of Ridgeley, West Virginia to approximately this level.
31 ft
Levees protect the city of Cumberland to at least this level. Some areas are protected even higher.
30 ft
Levees protect the Cumberland water treatment plant to approximately this level.
27 ft
Water covers the C&O Canal towpath south of Cumberland.
25 ft
Water begins to flood homes in Wiley Ford, West Virginia.
23 ft
Water approaches homes on Canal Road in North Branch.
22 ft
Water reaches a substation in Wiley Ford, West Virginia. Water also approaches an outbuilding in Wiley Ford, and portions of Kelly Road in Cumberland and Canal Road in North Branch.
21 ft
Much of the Mexico Farms, West Virginia airstrip is flooded, and water approaches nearby structures.
20 ft
Water floods several areas of farmland east and southeast of Cumberland Regional Airport. Water also begins to flow into low lying areas south of Ridgeley, West Virginia that are not protected by the levee. However, no personal property is affected in this area.
19 ft
Water reaches the Gene Mason Sports Complex in Cumberland.
17 ft
A low spot on Airport Road in Wiley Ford, West Virginia is flooded. A livestock field southeast of the Cumberland Regional Airport floods.
15 ft
Water approaches the airstrip at the Mexico Farms, West Virginia airport.
12 ft
Low-lying farmland west of Mexico Farms, West Virginia begins to flood.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
7-Day Water Level Chart
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Historic Crests
| Date | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| May 31, 1889 | 29.2 ft | 89,000 cfs |
| Mar 17, 1936 | 29.1 ft | 88,200 cfs |
| Mar 28, 1924 | 28.4 ft | 82,000 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
CBEM2
River
North Branch Potomac River
County
Allegany, MD
Coordinates
39.6219°N, 78.7733°W
Get Flood Alerts for North Branch Potomac River
StormCast monitors this gauge and sends a push notification to your phone when the water level crosses into a new flood category — even at 3 AM.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current water level of North Branch Potomac River at Cumberland?
The North Branch Potomac River at Cumberland gauge is maintained by USGS (site 01603000) and reports water levels every 15 minutes. Visit this page to see the latest reading updated live, or download StormCast to get push alerts when levels rise.
What is flood stage for North Branch Potomac River at Cumberland?
The NWS-defined flood stage for North Branch Potomac River at Cumberland is 17 feet. Action stage begins at 12 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 21 feet, and major flooding at 23 feet.
How do I get alerts when North Branch Potomac River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add North Branch Potomac River at Cumberland to your watchlist. StormCast will send a push notification to your phone whenever the water level crosses into a new NWS flood category.
Where is the North Branch Potomac River at Cumberland gauge located?
The gauge is located in Allegany County, Maryland at coordinates 39.6219°N, 78.7733°W. USGS site number: 01603000. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Gauges on North Branch Potomac River
On This River
Upstream: North Branch Potomac River at Luke
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey
- Gauge reading affected by reservoir operations.
- Stage may be affected by ice.