Cranberry River Near Richwood Flow Report
As of August 25, 2026, Cranberry River Near Richwood is flowing at 122 cfs with a gage height of 2.89 ft, receding 26% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #03187500, refreshed throughout the day.
Cranberry River Near Richwood at a glance
Live reading, 10-day trend, and the key gauge stats — how Cranberry River Near Richwood is running right now.
Cranberry River Near Richwood is flowing at 122 cfs, with the water sitting 2.89 ft at the gage. Flow is down 26% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #03187500 in West Virginia. Over the past 10 days the average has been 323 cfs, peaking at 660 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, or open Cranberry River Near Richwood on the interactive map.
Streamgage details
Historical Data
Streamflow Forecast
Over the next 5 days, Cranberry River Near Richwood is expected to recede from today's 122 cfs, toward roughly 67 cfs by 2026-08-30 (likely range 14-327 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.
Forecast vs seasonal normal
Engineering Data
Flow-duration statistics and observed peak-flow context computed from this gauge’s complete daily record (USGS #03187500).
Flow-duration & observed peak context
Estimate flows at an ungauged site
Drainage-area ratio transfer from this gauge . Most reliable for hydrologically similar sites in the same watershed with area ratios between roughly 0.5 and 1.5.
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.
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.
Cranberry River Near Richwood
The river's flow is mostly influenced by precipitation, with higher flow during the spring and winter months and lower flow during the summer. The river is known for its excellent trout fishing, and visitors can also enjoy hiking and camping in the surrounding National Forest. Fun fact: the Cranberry River was designated a National Wild and Scenic River in 1988, making it one of the few protected rivers in the eastern United States.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Cranberry River Near Richwood's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Cranberry River Near Richwood | 122 cfs |
| Williams River At Dyer | 137 cfs |
| Gauley River Near Craigsville | 644 cfs |
| Elk River Below Webster Springs | 342 cfs |
| Greenbrier River At Buckeye | 358 cfs |
| Meadow River At Nallen | 297 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Cranberry River Near Richwood. 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 |
|---|---|
| Craigsville 0.6 Ne | 0 in |
| Quinwood | 0 in |
| Mt. Nebo 1s | 0 in |
| Hacker Valley | 0 in |
| Snowshoe | 0 in |
| Lewisburg 3 N | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Cranberry River Near Richwood.
Nearby reservoirs
See all →
Boat launches
See all →
River runs
See all →
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 Cranberry River Near Richwood in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Cranberry River Near Richwood crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Cranberry River Near Richwood
What is the Cranberry River Near Richwood flow rate right now?
As of August 25, 2026, Cranberry River Near Richwood is flowing at 122 cfs. The live value, gage height, and 24-hour trend are shown at the top of this page.
Is the Cranberry River Near Richwood running high or low right now?
Check the percent of median figure on this page: above 100% means Cranberry River Near Richwood is running higher than normal for the date, below 100% means lower. The 24-hour trend shows whether it's rising or falling.
Where does the streamflow data for Cranberry River Near Richwood come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 03187500. 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 Cranberry River Near Richwood 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.
Create a free account, or sign in.
Get the free Cranberry River Near Richwood report — flow alerts, favorites, and history & forecasts, plus the free iPhone app.