South Branch Potomac River at Franklin
West Virginia — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Pendleton County, West Virginia on the South Branch Potomac River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 01605500, 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
11 ft
Moderate Flood
9 ft
Minor Flood
7 ft
Action Stage
6 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
13 ft
The lowest end of the Route 220/12 bridge begins to flood.
11 ft
Homes along Dickenson Mountain Road are flooded.
9 ft
Several roads in or near Franklin are flooded, including Dickenson Mountain Road (Route 220/12), parts of US Route 220, County Route 220/13, and Taylor Hollow Road.
8 ft
The Franklin city park begins to flood.
7 ft
A low spot on Dickenson Mountain Road (Route 220/12) 300 feet downstream from the bridge begins to flood.
6.5 ft
Water begins to cover Taylor Hollow Road in Franklin.
5 ft
Water begins to overflow the low water crossing on County Route 220/12 at the south end of town.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 3, 1985 | 22.58 ft | 44,000 cfs |
| Nov 3, 1985 | 22.58 ft | 44,000 cfs |
| Sep 6, 1996 | 19.16 ft | 34,000 cfs |
| Sep 6, 1996 | 19.16 ft | 34,000 cfs |
| Jan 19, 1996 | 16.06 ft | 25,800 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
FKLW2
River
South Branch Potomac River
County
Pendleton, WV
Coordinates
38.6356°N, 79.3381°W
Get Flood Alerts for South Branch Potomac 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 South Branch Potomac River at Franklin?
The South Branch Potomac River at Franklin gauge is maintained by USGS (site 01605500) 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 South Branch Potomac River at Franklin?
The NWS-defined flood stage for South Branch Potomac River at Franklin is 7 feet. Action stage begins at 6 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 9 feet, and major flooding at 11 feet.
How do I get alerts when South Branch Potomac River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add South Branch Potomac River at Franklin 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 South Branch Potomac River at Franklin gauge located?
The gauge is located in Pendleton County, West Virginia at coordinates 38.6356°N, 79.3381°W. USGS site number: 01605500. 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
- Stage may be affected by ice.