Powell River at Big Stone Gap
Virginia — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Wise County, Virginia on the Powell River. Live water level data from USGS, updated every 15 minutes.
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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This is an NWS forecast point (LID: BSGV2). Live data may be limited. View on NWS AHPS →
Flood Stages
Major Flood
18 ft
Moderate Flood
15 ft
Minor Flood
10 ft
Action Stage
8 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
17 ft
Water reaches the bottom of the U.S. Hwy 23 Business bridge.
16 ft
A home or two along Powell Ave East near the foot bridge might begin to take water.
15 ft
Lowest floor of three-story apartment building along River Blvd. E and U.S. 23 Business might begin to take water.
14 ft
Flooding of low spot along 2nd Ave West toward the water treatment facility.
11.3 ft
Church and a few houses and Frog Level Park, all along Cherokee Ave West and West 6th St N, may flood, especially if the nearby South Fork Powell River is in flood.
11 ft
Portion of 2nd Ave West floods, downstream from W 6th St N.
9 ft
Increased flooding of green spaces and walkways along the river.
7 ft
Low green spaces and walkways along the river begin 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 15, 2025 | 11.3 ft | — |
| Feb 15, 2025 | 11.3 ft | — |
| Feb 6, 2020 | 10.47 ft | — |
| Feb 6, 2020 | 10.47 ft | — |
| Mar 28, 2021 | 8.71 ft | — |
About This Gauge
NWS LID
BSGV2
River
Powell River
County
Wise, VA
Coordinates
36.8689°N, 82.7756°W
Get Flood Alerts for Powell 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 Powell River at Big Stone Gap?
The Powell River at Big Stone Gap gauge is maintained by USGS 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 Powell River at Big Stone Gap?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Powell River at Big Stone Gap 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 Powell River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Powell River at Big Stone Gap to your watchlist. StormCast will send a push notification to your phone whenever the water level crosses into a new NWS flood category — even when your screen is off.
Where is the Powell River at Big Stone Gap gauge located?
The gauge is located in Wise County, Virginia at coordinates 36.8689°N, 82.7756°W. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.