Blackwater River Near Rocky Mount flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Blackwater River Near Rocky Mount is flowing at 39 cfs with a gage height of 1.80 ft, rising 19% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #02056900, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Blackwater River Near Rocky Mount at a glance
How Blackwater River Near Rocky Mount is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Blackwater River Near Rocky Mount is flowing at 39 cfs, with the water sitting 1.80 ft at the gage. Flow is up 19% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.
This is USGS gauge #02056900 in Virginia. Over the past 10 days the average has been 34 cfs, peaking at 60 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Blackwater River Near Rocky Mount is expected to rise from today's 32 cfs, toward roughly 36 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 20-64 cfs) -- running well below the seasonal normal.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Virginia flow report.
Streamflow Forecast
Powered by PULSE — Snoflo’s Predictive Unified Learning & Simulation Engine, which learns from how this river has answered every past storm, snowmelt, and dry spell to forecast where it’s headed with a precision generic models can’t match.
How does this compare to past years?
Year-over-year overlay, annual peak discharge, the full distribution of daily flows on record, and the gauge's rating curve.
Weather Forecast
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day forecast
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Blackwater River Near Rocky Mount
There are no major tributaries or dams directly affecting this stretch of the river. Seasonal trends indicate that the river generally experiences higher flows in the spring and lower flows in the summer and fall. Interestingly, the Blackwater River is known for its unique color, which is caused by tannins leached from surrounding vegetation. Additionally, the river is home to a variety of fish species, including smallmouth bass and redbreast sunfish.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Blackwater River Near Rocky Mount's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Blackwater River Near Rocky Mount | 39 cfs |
| Back Creek Near Dundee | 92 cfs |
| Roanoke River At Niagara | 482 cfs |
| Roanoke River At Roanoke | 241 cfs |
| Pigg River Near Sandy Level | 212 cfs |
| Goose Creek Near Huddleston | 38 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Blackwater River Near Rocky Mount. Spring snowmelt is the dominant driver of streamflow in mountain basins -- a deep snowpack upstream means more runoff later in the season.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack |
|---|---|
| Copper Hill | 0 in |
| Huddleston 4 Sw | 0 in |
| Radio Stn Wblt | 0 in |
| Chatham | 0 in |
| Christiansburg | 0 in |
| Blacksburg Nwso | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Blackwater River Near Rocky Mount.
Nearby reservoirs
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Boat launches
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River runs
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River levels & flood safety
- Read the level before you go
- A river that's runnable at one flow can be deadly at another. Check current discharge and gage height — like the values shown above — against the flood-stage thresholds, and remember levels can spike fast after rain or a dam release.
- Respect cold water
- Snowmelt rivers run cold even in summer. Sudden immersion triggers cold-water shock and saps strength within minutes. Wear a PFD, dress for the water temperature (not the air), and never wade or paddle alone.
- Watch for swiftwater hazards
- Strainers (downed trees), undercut rocks, and low-head dams are the deadliest features on moving water. High, fast, muddy water hides them. If in doubt, scout from shore and portage.
- Mind flash floods & releases
- Narrow canyons can flood from a storm miles upstream, and dam-controlled reaches can rise without warning. Know the forecast, the release schedule, and your exit before you launch.
Track Blackwater River Near Rocky Mount in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Blackwater River Near Rocky Mount crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Blackwater River Near Rocky Mount
Where does the streamflow data for Blackwater River Near Rocky Mount come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 02056900. Snoflo refreshes the time series throughout the day. Forecasts come from the NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
USGS gauges report continuously (typically every 15 minutes). Snoflo pulls fresh values throughout the day — look for the "as of" timestamp on the streamflow hero card.
What's the difference between discharge and gage height?
Discharge (cubic feet per second, or cfs) is the volume of water flowing past the gauge each second. Gage height is how high the water sits at the gauge (feet). They're related by a rating curve specific to each gauge — higher water means more flow, but the exact ratio depends on channel shape.
How is "percent of median" calculated?
Today's discharge is compared to the historical median discharge on this calendar day across the gauge's full record. 100% = right on median; 200% = a very high year; 30% = a drought-level low.
What are flood stages, and is this river safe right now?
Flood stages are NWS-defined gage-height thresholds — Action, Minor, Moderate, Major — marking when nearby roads or floodplains start to be affected. "Safe" depends on your activity and skill: a level that's a fun paddle for an expert can be lethal for a wader. Always check the current level against the thresholds above and the safety links, and when in doubt, stay off the water.
Can I get alerts when Blackwater River Near Rocky Mount rises?
Yes — flow alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this gauge, set a streamflow threshold (e.g. "alert me when discharge crosses 5,000 cfs"), and you'll get a push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
Access the free Blackwater River Near Rocky Mount report
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