S F Catoctin Creek At Rt 698 Near Waterford flow report
As of July 13, 2026, S F Catoctin Creek At Rt 698 Near Waterford is flowing at 31 cfs with a gage height of 1.36 ft, rising 282% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #01638350, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
S F Catoctin Creek At Rt 698 Near Waterford at a glance
How S F Catoctin Creek At Rt 698 Near Waterford is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
S F Catoctin Creek At Rt 698 Near Waterford is flowing at 31 cfs, with the water sitting 1.36 ft at the gage. Flow is up 282% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.
This is USGS gauge #01638350 in Virginia. Over the past 10 days the average has been 17 cfs, peaking at 89 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, S F Catoctin Creek At Rt 698 Near Waterford is expected to recede from today's 8 cfs, toward roughly 6 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 2-16 cfs) -- drier than 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.
S F Catoctin Creek At Rt 698 Near Waterford
The primary constituents of the creek are water and sediment, with potential tributaries including Tuscarora Creek and Goose Creek. Seasonal trends show increased flow during the spring and decreased flow in the summer and fall. Interesting facts about the hydrology include the creek's designation as a "Virginia Scenic River" due to its natural beauty, and its historical importance as a source of power for mills and factories in the area. College students may find this information valuable for understanding the local watershed and its environmental and cultural significance.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check S F Catoctin Creek At Rt 698 Near Waterford's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| S F Catoctin Creek At Rt 698 Near Waterford | 31 cfs |
| N F Catoctin Creek At Rt 681 Near Waterford | 7 cfs |
| Limestone Branch Near Leesburg | 1 cfs |
| Catoctin Creek At Taylorstown | 22 cfs |
| Potomac River At Point Of Rocks | 4,030 cfs |
| N F Goose Creek At Rt 729 Near Lincoln | 12 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near S F Catoctin Creek At Rt 698 Near Waterford. 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 |
|---|---|
| Purcellville Coop | 0 in |
| Round Hill 2.7 Wsw | 0 in |
| Harpers Ferry 12.8 Ssw | 0 in |
| Wfo Sterling Coop | 0 in |
| Berryville 0.9 Nnw | 0 in |
| Damascus 3 Ssw Coop | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of S F Catoctin Creek At Rt 698 Near Waterford.
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 S F Catoctin Creek At Rt 698 Near Waterford in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when S F Catoctin Creek At Rt 698 Near Waterford crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About S F Catoctin Creek At Rt 698 Near Waterford
Where does the streamflow data for S F Catoctin Creek At Rt 698 Near Waterford come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 01638350. 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 S F Catoctin Creek At Rt 698 Near Waterford 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 S F Catoctin Creek At Rt 698 Near Waterford report
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