Shavers Fork Below Bowden flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Shavers Fork Below Bowden is flowing at 285 cfs with a gage height of 4.61 ft, receding 47% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #03068800, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Shavers Fork Below Bowden at a glance
How Shavers Fork Below Bowden is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Shavers Fork Below Bowden is flowing at 285 cfs, with the water sitting 4.61 ft at the gage. Flow is down 47% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #03068800 in West Virginia. Over the past 10 days the average has been 208 cfs, peaking at 635 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Shavers Fork Below Bowden is expected to recede from today's 542 cfs, toward roughly 293 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 102-840 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 West 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.
Shavers Fork Below Bowden
There are no significant dams or tributaries related to this streamgauge. Seasonal trends show an increase in flow during the spring months due to snowmelt and spring rains, while summer and fall typically experience lower flows. Interestingly, the hydrology of this area is impacted by the karst landscape, which can create sinkholes and underground streams. This can cause sudden changes in flow and water levels. College students studying hydrology would find this area of interest due to its unique geological features.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Shavers Fork Below Bowden's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Shavers Fork Below Bowden | 285 cfs |
| Tygart Valley River Near Dailey | 141 cfs |
| Tygart Valley River At Belington | 464 cfs |
| Dry Fork At Hendricks | 554 cfs |
| Cheat River Near Parsons | 1,600 cfs |
| Middle Fork River At Audra | 483 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Shavers Fork Below Bowden. 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 |
|---|---|
| Elkins Arpt Snow Observation | 0 in |
| Canaan Valley | 0 in |
| Davis. | 0 in |
| Buckhannon | 0 in |
| Bartow 1s | 0 in |
| Thomas 7.4 N | 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 Shavers Fork Below Bowden in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Shavers Fork Below Bowden crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Shavers Fork Below Bowden
Where does the streamflow data for Shavers Fork Below Bowden come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 03068800. 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 Shavers Fork Below Bowden 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 Shavers Fork Below Bowden 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