Major Flood
26 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
11 ft
What Floods at Each Level
22 ft
Additional buildings upstream of gage, and farmland flooding begins in vicinity of the gage.
20 ft
Farmlands and residential basements of buildings upstream (right bank) become flooded.
17 ft
Right bank above gage and flats above town on left bank are inundated. Mostly agricultural lands affected.
16 ft
Route 43 (Parkway Drive) is closed as water starts to reach the road.
6 ft
Stages above 6 feet are considered too high for all but expert boaters.
4 ft
Caution is suggested for James River boaters..between 4 and 6 feet.
2.4 ft
Stages between 2.4 and 4 feet are considered ideal for boating activities.
2 ft
Below this stage the river may be too low for boating activities.
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 | 38.84 ft | 179,000 cfs |
| Mar 26, 1913 | 31 ft | 105,000 cfs |
| Jun 22, 1972 | 30.49 ft | 111,000 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
BNNV2
River
James River (VA)
County
Botetourt, VA
Coordinates
37.5306°N, 79.6792°W
Get Flood Alerts for James River (VA)
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 James River (VA) at Buchanan?
The James River (VA) at Buchanan gauge is maintained by USGS (site 02080201) 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 James River (VA) at Buchanan?
The NWS-defined flood stage for James River (VA) at Buchanan is 17 feet. Action stage begins at 11 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 21 feet, and major flooding at 26 feet.
How do I get alerts when James River (VA) rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add James River (VA) at Buchanan 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 James River (VA) at Buchanan gauge located?
The gauge is located in Botetourt County, Virginia at coordinates 37.5306°N, 79.6792°W. USGS site number: 02080201. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Gauges on James River (VA)
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey
- River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 72 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.