Major Flood
20 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
14 ft
Action Stage
12 ft
What Floods at Each Level
20 ft
Most of Alton near the river is flooded. Water overflows the Route 32 bridge. Route 32 is impassable in Alton.
15 ft
House next to Route 32 bridge, low areas, and homes near the river are flooded between 15 and 18 feet. Low section of Route 32 in Alton is flooded.
14 ft
Water is at the bottom of a house on the right bank next to the Alton Route 32 bridge. Low areas are flooded near the Buckhannon River and along Big Run Creek.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 18, 1998 | 15.5 ft | -9,999 cfs |
| Feb 6, 2025 | 14.29 ft | 10,290 cfs |
| Feb 8, 1994 | 14.18 ft | — |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
ALTW2
River
Buckhannon River
County
Upshur, WV
Coordinates
38.8195°N, 80.2139°W
Get Flood Alerts for Buckhannon 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 Buckhannon River at Alton?
The Buckhannon River at Alton gauge is maintained by USGS (site 03052120) 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 Buckhannon River at Alton?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Buckhannon River at Alton is 14 feet. Action stage begins at 12 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 15 feet, and major flooding at 20 feet.
How do I get alerts when Buckhannon River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Buckhannon River at Alton 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 Buckhannon River at Alton gauge located?
The gauge is located in Upshur County, West Virginia at coordinates 38.8195°N, 80.2139°W. USGS site number: 03052120. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Gauges on Buckhannon River
On This River
Downstream: Buckhannon River at Buckhannon
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey