Buckhannon River At Alton flow report
As of July 15, 2026, Buckhannon River At Alton is flowing at 81 cfs with a gage height of 5.21 ft, receding 34% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #03052120, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Buckhannon River At Alton at a glance
How Buckhannon River At Alton is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Buckhannon River At Alton is flowing at 81 cfs, with the water sitting 5.21 ft at the gage. Flow is down 34% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #03052120 in West Virginia. Over the past 10 days the average has been 123 cfs, peaking at 527 cfs.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the West Virginia flow report.
Engineering Data
Flow-duration statistics and observed peak-flow context computed from this gauge’s complete daily record (USGS #03052120).
Percentiles are flow-duration values computed from this gauge’s observed daily record as archived by Snoflo. Return periods are Weibull plotting-position estimates from observed annual maxima, provided as general reference context only. Always verify against official USGS NWIS records. Part of Snoflo for Engineering.
Streamflow Forecast
Over the next 5 days, Buckhannon River At Alton is expected to recede from today's 81 cfs, toward roughly 62 cfs by 2026-07-20 (likely range 19-208 cfs) -- drier than normal for the date.
Powered by PULSE — Snoflo’s forecast engine, trained on this gauge’s full record of storms, snowmelt, and dry spells.
| Date | Expected (p50) | Likely range (p25–p75) | vs normal | Projected stage |
|---|
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.
Buckhannon River At Alton
The river is fed by several tributaries, including the Middle Fork and the Right Fork, and flows into the Tygart Valley River. There are no major dams on the Buckhannon River, but some smaller ones exist on tributaries. Seasonally, the river is generally higher in the spring due to snowmelt and rainfall. Interestingly, the Buckhannon River was once a major transportation route for timber and coal. Today, it is a popular destination for fishing and boating.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Buckhannon River At Alton's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Buckhannon River At Alton | 81 cfs |
| Sand Run Near Buckhannon | 4 cfs |
| Buckhannon River At Hall | 285 cfs |
| Middle Fork River At Audra | 195 cfs |
| L Kanawha River Nr Wildcat | 132 cfs |
| Tygart Valley River Near Dailey | 55 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Buckhannon River At Alton. 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 |
|---|---|
| Buckhannon | 0 in |
| Hacker Valley | 0 in |
| Stonewall Jackson Dam | 0 in |
| Elkins Arpt Snow Observation | 0 in |
| Bartow 1s | 0 in |
| Snowshoe | 0 in |
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 Buckhannon River At Alton in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Buckhannon River At Alton crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Buckhannon River At Alton
Where does the streamflow data for Buckhannon River At Alton come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 03052120. 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 Buckhannon River At Alton 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 Buckhannon River At Alton 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