So. Branch Potomac River Near Petersburg flow report
As of July 13, 2026, So. Branch Potomac River Near Petersburg is flowing at 586 cfs with a gage height of 4.82 ft, rising 59% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #01606500, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
So. Branch Potomac River Near Petersburg at a glance
How So. Branch Potomac River Near Petersburg is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
So. Branch Potomac River Near Petersburg is flowing at 586 cfs, with the water sitting 4.82 ft at the gage. Flow is up 59% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.
This is USGS gauge #01606500 in West Virginia. Over the past 10 days the average has been 276 cfs, peaking at 586 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, So. Branch Potomac River Nr Petersburg is expected to recede from today's 586 cfs, toward roughly 369 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 162-842 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.
So. Branch Potomac River Near Petersburg
Branch Potomac River near Petersburg, WV stream gauge monitors the flow of the South Branch Potomac River, which supplies water to downstream users and supports a variety of fish and wildlife species. The gauge is located upstream of the massive Jennings Randolph Reservoir, which can influence the river's flow during certain times of the year. Seasonally, the river typically experiences high flows in the spring from snowmelt and heavy rainfall, while low flows occur in the summer and fall. Interesting hydrological features of the river include its karst topography, which leads to sinkholes and disappearing streams, and the presence of the endangered Eastern Hellbender salamander.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check So. Branch Potomac River Near Petersburg's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| So. Branch Potomac River Nr Petersburg | 586 cfs |
| N F South Br Potomac R At Cabins | 297 cfs |
| So Fk South Branch Potomac R Nr Moorefield | 364 cfs |
| Blackwater R Nr Davis | 132 cfs |
| Blackwater R At Davis | 117 cfs |
| North Branch Potomac River At Steyer | 161 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near So. Branch Potomac River Near Petersburg. 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 |
|---|---|
| Canaan Valley | 0 in |
| Davis. | 0 in |
| Bayard Coop | 0 in |
| Thomas 7.4 N | 0 in |
| Keyser 2 Ssw Coop | 0 in |
| Mc Henry 4.8 Sse | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of So. Branch Potomac River Near Petersburg.
Nearby reservoirs
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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 So. Branch Potomac River Near Petersburg in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when So. Branch Potomac River Near Petersburg crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About So. Branch Potomac River Near Petersburg
Where does the streamflow data for So. Branch Potomac River Near Petersburg come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 01606500. 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 So. Branch Potomac River Near Petersburg 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.
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