Major Flood
18 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
15 ft
Minor Flood
10 ft
Action Stage
8 ft
What Floods at Each Level
18 ft
Extensive flooding of the road and homes threatened along parts of Riverland Road and Bluebird Lane upstream from the gage.
15 ft
Some homes and properties upstream from the gage may be affected by flooding.
12 ft
Parts of Riverland Road and Bluebird Lane upstream from the gage begin to flood.
9 ft
Lowland flooding occurs along much of the river.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 4, 1985 | 19.15 ft | 40,900 cfs |
| Mar 17, 1936 | 18.62 ft | 34,200 cfs |
| Sep 6, 1996 | 16.91 ft | 30,100 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
COWV2
River
Cowpasture River
County
Alleghany, VA
Coordinates
37.7917°N, 79.7594°W
Get Flood Alerts for Cowpasture 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 Cowpasture River near Clifton Forge?
The Cowpasture River near Clifton Forge gauge is maintained by USGS (site 02016000) 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 Cowpasture River near Clifton Forge?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Cowpasture River near Clifton Forge is 10 feet. Action stage begins at 8 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 15 feet, and major flooding at 18 feet.
How do I get alerts when Cowpasture River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Cowpasture River near Clifton Forge 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 Cowpasture River near Clifton Forge gauge located?
The gauge is located in Alleghany County, Virginia at coordinates 37.7917°N, 79.7594°W. USGS site number: 02016000. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
On This River
Upstream: Cowpasture River at McClung
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey