Bluestone River At Falls Mills flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Bluestone River At Falls Mills is flowing at 399 cfs with a gage height of 3.91 ft, receding 12% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #03177710, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Bluestone River At Falls Mills at a glance
How Bluestone River At Falls Mills is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Bluestone River At Falls Mills is flowing at 399 cfs, with the water sitting 3.91 ft at the gage. Flow is down 12% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #03177710 in Virginia. Over the past 10 days the average has been 125 cfs, peaking at 454 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Bluestone River At Falls Mills is expected to recede from today's 454 cfs, toward roughly 178 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 100-316 cfs) -- about normal for the date.
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.
Bluestone River At Falls Mills
The flow of the river is mainly from precipitation and groundwater, with occasional contributions from snowmelt. There are no major dams on this stretch of the river. The streamflow exhibits seasonal variation, with high flows in the spring and low flows in the late summer and fall. Interestingly, the Bluestone River has been designated as a "National Wild and Scenic River" due to its outstanding scenic, recreational, geologic, fish, and wildlife values. This designation has helped to protect the river from development and preserve its natural beauty.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Bluestone River At Falls Mills's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Bluestone River At Falls Mills | 399 cfs |
| Tug Fork At Welch | 433 cfs |
| Bluestone River Near Pipestem | 1,450 cfs |
| Wolf Creek Near Narrows | 763 cfs |
| New River At Glen Lyn | 2,700 cfs |
| Dry Fork At Beartown | 997 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Bluestone River At Falls Mills. 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 |
|---|---|
| Bluefield | 0 in |
| Burkes Garden | 0 in |
| Bluestone Lake | 0 in |
| Beckley Arpt Snow Observation | 0 in |
| Greenville 1 Se | 0 in |
| Elk Creek Coop | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Bluestone River At Falls Mills.
Nearby reservoirs
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Boat launches
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River runs
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Nearby fishing
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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 Bluestone River At Falls Mills in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Bluestone River At Falls Mills crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Bluestone River At Falls Mills
Where does the streamflow data for Bluestone River At Falls Mills come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 03177710. 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 Bluestone River At Falls Mills 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 Bluestone River At Falls Mills report
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