Potomac River at Harpers Ferry
West Virginia — Water Level & Flood Stage

Major Flood

24 ft

213,000 cfs

Moderate Flood

21.5 ft

164,000 cfs

Minor Flood

18 ft

122,500 cfs

Action Stage

16 ft

98,000 cfs

43.5 ft

Water approaches the lowest point of Potomac Avenue in Brunswick Maryland.

40 ft

Water reaches the train depot of the MARC and Amtrak station at Harpers Ferry.

33.5 ft

Water reaches the railyard in Brunswick Maryland.

33 ft

Water reaches the second floor of buildings in historic Harpers Ferry along Shenandoah Street.

32 ft

Several private buildings on the lower edge of Harpers Ferry are flooded.

29.5 ft

Floodwaters enter the Storer College exhibit building.

28 ft

All buildings facing Shenandoah Street in historic Harpers Ferry are flooded. Floodwater begins to move up High Street. Potomac Street is flooded beyond Hog Alley and water is approaching private businesses.

25.5 ft

Flood waters reach the general store, and the lowermost portion of the John Brown Story building.

25 ft

Almost all of Shenandoah Street is covered by water. Water reaches the Provost Marshal Office, blacksmith shop, quarters building, and the restrooms on Shenandoah Street. Water also enters the Meriwether Lewis exhibit and White Hall Tavern on Potomac Street, which is covered by water up to Hog Alley.

24.5 ft

Floodwaters reach the Industry Museum in historic Harpers Ferry.

24 ft

Floodwaters reach John Brown Fort, the bookshop, and the A Place in Time Museum in historic Harpers Ferry. Most of Shenandoah Street is flooded and floodwaters cover around half of Arsenal Square. Potomac Street is flooded nearly to White Hall Tavern, but no buildings are impacted on Potomac Street.

23.5 ft

Water approaches John Browns Fort in historic Harpers Ferry. Water surrounds the bookshop and A Place in Time Museum. Water surrounds the blacksmiths shop. Potomac Street begins to flood at the intersection with Shenandoah Street.

22.5 ft

Water begins to approach buildings in historic Harpers Ferry. Most of Shenandoah Street, except between the bookshop and John Browns Fort, is flooded.

21.5 ft

Virtually all of the old federal armory site at historic Harpers Ferry is flooded. Water begins flowing out of the open tunnel between the Potomac and lower town Harpers Ferry, flooding the very end of Shenandoah Street. Backwaters from the Shenandoah River flood even more of Shenandoah Street, including the shuttle bus pavilion.

20.5 ft

Much of the old federal armory site in historic Harpers Ferry is flooded. Backwaters on the Shenandoah flood virtually all areas below the retaining wall and elevated W&P Railroad, and are approaching Shenandoah Street. No buildings are impacted.

19.5 ft

Floodwaters begin to cover the old federal armory site at historic Harpers Ferry. Backwater from the Shenandoah covers most areas between the normal river channel and the elevated Winchester & Potomac Railroad tracks.

18.5 ft

The employee parking lot at historic Harpers Ferry floods.

18 ft

Due to backwater effects on the Shenandoah River, floodwaters cover much of the Hamilton Street area of historic Harpers Ferry, and approach the employee parking lot.

16 ft

Water reaches the C&O Canal towpath on the Maryland side of the river across from Harpers Ferry. The pedestrian bridge crossing between historic Harpers Ferry and the canal will be closed.

NWS LID

HFEW2

River

Potomac River

County

Jefferson, WV

Coordinates

39.3236°N, 77.7289°W