Elk River At Clay flow report
Historical Data
Elk River At Clay at a glance
How Elk River At Clay is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Elk River At Clay is flowing at 11,200 cfs, with the water sitting 5.90 ft at the gage. Flow is down 8% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #03196800 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.
Elk River At Clay
The largest dam on the Elk River is Sutton Dam, which can affect flow rates downstream. The hydrology of the Elk River varies seasonally, with higher flows in the spring due to snowmelt and precipitation, and lower flows in the summer and fall. Interesting facts about the Elk River include its designation as a National Wild and Scenic River and its historical importance as a transportation route during the 19th century. College students interested in hydrology or environmental science may find the Elk River at Clay, WV streamgauge an interesting resource to study.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Elk River At Clay's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Elk River At Clay | 11,200 cfs |
| Elk River At Queen Shoals | 781 cfs |
| Peters Creek Near Lockwood | 345 cfs |
| Gauley River Above Belva | 6,680 cfs |
| Birch River At Herold | 11 cfs |
| Kanawha River At Kanawha Falls | 11,500 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Elk River At Clay. 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 |
| Mt. Nebo 1s | 0 in |
| Charleston 5.8 Ene | 0 in |
| Craigsville 0.6 Ne | 0 in |
| South Charleston 0.3 Ssw | 1 in |
| Rlx Weather Forecast Office | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Elk River At Clay.
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 Elk River At Clay in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Elk River At Clay crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Elk River At Clay
Where does the streamflow data for Elk River At Clay come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 03196800. 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 Elk River At Clay 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 Elk River At Clay 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