Major Flood
12 ft
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: PDOV2). Live data may be limited. View on NWS AHPS →
FLOOD STAGES
Know the flood categories.
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
Moderate Flood
10 ft
Minor Flood
7 ft
Action Stage
6 ft
What Floods at Each Level
12.2 ft
Bottom of gauge sensor. Two feet of water in the old Wise Coal building. Water might begin to threaten basements of structures just downstream and across Dorchester Road from the gauge.
11 ft
Water might begin to reach the main floor level of the Free Will Baptist Church.
10 ft
Water reaches the level of the main floor of the Wise Coal building.
9.5 ft
Access bridge to the power facility begins to flood.
9 ft
Overtops wall of bridge to the Wise Coal And Coke building.
8.5 ft
The bridge along Dorchester Road near Frog Level Road begins to flood.
7.7 ft
Water is at the level of the surface of the bridge leading to the Wise Coal building. Inundation of the parking lot.
7 ft
Low spots along Dorchester Road, including near the Wise Coal building and near the Free Will Baptist Church, begin to flood.
6.3 ft
Water begins to enter the upstream side of the parking lot of the Wise Coal and Coke building and gently drains infront of the bridge into the downstream side of the parking lot away from the building.
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 | 8.46 ft | — |
About This Gauge
NWS LID
PDOV2
River
Powell River
County
Wise, VA
Coordinates
36.9419°N, 82.6432°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 Dorchester?
The Powell River at Dorchester 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 Dorchester?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Powell River at Dorchester is 7 feet. Action stage begins at 6 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 10 feet, and major flooding at 12 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 Dorchester 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 Powell River at Dorchester gauge located?
The gauge is located in Wise County, Virginia at coordinates 36.9419°N, 82.6432°W. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Gauges on Powell River
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: Observations courtesy of VA DEM