Major Flood
37 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
30 ft
Minor Flood
25 ft
Action Stage
22.5 ft
What Floods at Each Level
62 ft
Water covers the bridge over the Potomac at the state line in Paw Paw.
50 ft
Homes in Paw Paw begin to flood.
46 ft
Water approaches the intersection of West Virginia Route 9 and Winchester Street in Paw Paw.
40 ft
The right bank of the river floods extensive sections of the town of Paw Paw, north of the B&O Railroad. The towpath of the C&O Canal also begins to flood.
37 ft
Floodwaters cover both West Virginia Route 9 and Maryland Route 51. Businesses in the town of Paw Paw begin to flood.
34 ft
Water reaches the settling pond next to Paw Paw Park.
30 ft
Paw Paw Tunnel Campground begins to flood.
26 ft
Water covers an access road on the West Virginia side.
25 ft
A parking area adjacent to the highway bridge begins to flood. The roadway to the C&O Canal parking area floods, as does the lowest end of the Purslane Run hiker/biker area.
22.5 ft
Water reaches the top of the boat ramp in Paw Paw Festival Park.
11 ft
The river reaches danger level for boaters as defined by the State of Maryland. At danger level, conditions are considered extremely hazardous.
5 ft
The river reaches caution level for boaters as defined by the State of Maryland. Fast moving water and current changes can be expected.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 17, 1936 | 54 ft | 240,000 cfs |
| Nov 4, 1985 | 53.58 ft | 235,000 cfs |
| May 31, 1889 | 45 ft | — |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
PAWW2
River
Potomac River
County
Allegany, MD
Coordinates
39.5389°N, 78.4564°W
Get Flood Alerts for 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 Potomac River at Paw Paw?
The Potomac River at Paw Paw gauge is maintained by USGS (site 01610000) 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 Potomac River at Paw Paw?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Potomac River at Paw Paw is 25 feet. Action stage begins at 22.5 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 30 feet, and major flooding at 37 feet.
How do I get alerts when Potomac River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Potomac River at Paw Paw 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 Potomac River at Paw Paw gauge located?
The gauge is located in Allegany County, Maryland at coordinates 39.5389°N, 78.4564°W. USGS site number: 01610000. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Gauges on Potomac River
On This River
Downstream: Potomac River at Hancock
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey
- Stage may be affected by ice.