Kanawha River at Kanawha Falls
West Virginia — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Fayette County, West Virginia on the Kanawha River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 03193000, updated every 15 minutes.
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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Flood Stages
Major Flood
35 ft
Moderate Flood
30 ft
Minor Flood
27 ft
Action Stage
25 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
41 ft
Railroad tracks upstream and downstream of County Route 13 bridge floods.
35 ft
Most areas next to river are flooded.
30 ft
Homes, just above county route 13 bridge and along Hairdo Lane are flooded. Several houses in Charlton Heights approximatly 2 miles downstream from the County Route 13 bridge start to flood.
27 ft
The park, near the water falls, is flooded. Homes, just upstream from the County Route 13 bridge, start to flood. Several houses in Charlton Heights approximatly 2 miles downstream from the County Route 13 bridge begin to be affected by water.
25 ft
Low lying areas near the river in Kanawha Falls and Glen Ferris start to have water problems.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 13, 1878 | 37.8 ft | 320,000 cfs |
| Sep 13, 1878 | 37.8 ft | 320,000 cfs |
| Apr 3, 1977 | 27.37 ft | 54,500 cfs |
| Apr 3, 1977 | 27.37 ft | 54,500 cfs |
| Jan 28, 1957 | 21.6 ft | 35,700 cfs |
About This Gauge
Get Flood Alerts for Kanawha 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 Kanawha River at Kanawha Falls?
The Kanawha River at Kanawha Falls gauge is maintained by USGS (site 03193000) 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 Kanawha River at Kanawha Falls?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Kanawha River at Kanawha Falls is 27 feet. Action stage begins at 25 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 30 feet, and major flooding at 35 feet.
How do I get alerts when Kanawha River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Kanawha River at Kanawha Falls 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 Kanawha River at Kanawha Falls gauge located?
The gauge is located in Fayette County, West Virginia at coordinates 38.1381°N, 81.2144°W. USGS site number: 03193000. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey
- River Forecasts typically include ONLY 2 days of future rain from <u>forecast issuance time</u> (lower right of graph). Occasionally 3 days of future rain included.