Birch River At Herold flow report
Historical Data
Birch River At Herold at a glance
How Birch River At Herold is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Birch River At Herold is flowing at 11 cfs, with the water sitting 5.09 ft at the gage.
This is USGS gauge #03196500 in West Virginia.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the West Virginia flow report.
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.
Birch River At Herold
The primary flow contributor is precipitation, with July and August being the wettest months. The Birch River has several small tributaries, including Crooked Fork and Little Birch River, and is impounded by the Cedar Creek Dam. The dam has a significant impact on the river's flow and temperature, particularly during the summer months when water is released to maintain downstream flow. The Birch River is prone to flash flooding, particularly during the spring and summer months. Despite its occasional destructive power, the Birch River is also an important source of recreation, with several public access points for fishing, swimming, and kayaking.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Birch River At Herold's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Birch River At Herold | 11 cfs |
| Elk River Below Webster Springs | 287 cfs |
| Elk River At Clay | 11,200 cfs |
| L Kanawha River Nr Wildcat | 503 cfs |
| Gauley River Near Craigsville | 930 cfs |
| Williams River At Dyer | 166 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Birch River At Herold. 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 |
|---|---|
| Clay 0.2 Wsw | 0 in |
| Craigsville 0.6 Ne | 0 in |
| Hacker Valley | 0 in |
| Glenville | 5 in |
| Mt. Nebo 1s | 0 in |
| Stonewall Jackson Dam | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Birch River At Herold.
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 Birch River At Herold in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Birch River At Herold crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Birch River At Herold
Where does the streamflow data for Birch River At Herold come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 03196500. 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 Birch River At Herold 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 Birch River At Herold report
Create your free account to track this river — and everything else you love on the water.
- Flow alerts — get pinged the moment this river hits your range
- Save favorites — every river, lake & snowpack in one place
- Full history & forecasts — plus the free iPhone app