Cheat River Flow Today
As of October 2, 2026 at 3:45 AM, the Cheat River is flowing at 916 cfs at Albright, WV — 181% of normal for the date and down 12% in 24 hours. 2 of 2 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 649 to 916 cfs. ❤ Favorite
Cheat River map
See the Cheat River on a live map
Every gauge, dam and paddle run on the river, one tap each:
- Gauges now — which reaches are high or low
- Dams & paddle runs — storage and what’s in range
- Rain — past 24 hrs and the 72-hr forecast, press play
✓ Free for 7 days · ✓ Cancel anytime
Cheat River conditions today
Where the river is running versus normal, what’s rising or dropping, and what it means for a trip — built from the live USGS readings below.
At Albright, the Cheat River is running 916 cfs — 181% of normal, down 12% since yesterday. Along the river, 2 of 2 reporting gauges are above normal (the typical gauge is at 193% of normal).
In the last 24 hours the river is dropping at Parsons (-14%) and Albright (-12%).
How the Cheat River compares to normal
Every reporting gauge from the top of the river to the bottom: bar length is today’s flow, colour is percent of normal for the date.
Flow along the river, upstream to downstream
- Parsons1,593 ft 649 cfs204%
- Albright1,203 ft 916 cfs181%
Bar length uses a square-root scale so small headwater flows stay visible next to big downstream ones. Colour: <50% 50–90 90–110 110–150 150%+ of normal.
Where every gauge sits
One dot per Cheat River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (193%).
Cheat River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | To flood stage | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cheat River Near Parsons WV
Oct 2, 4:00 AM · USGS 03069500 |
649 cfs | 204% | -14% | 3.48 ft | 15.0 ft below | 1,593 ft |
|
Cheat River At Albright WV
Oct 2, 3:45 AM · USGS 03070260 |
916 cfs | 181% | -12% | 11.28 ft | 15.7 ft below | 1,203 ft |
USGS provisional data. Readings are in each gauge’s local time; gauges silent for more than 3 days are marked “Last reported”. Tap any gauge for its hydrograph, forecast and history.
Dams & reservoirs on the Cheat River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
Cheat River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.
Maximum streamflow by year
Cheat River
The Cheat River is a 78-mile-long tributary of the Monongahela River located in West Virginia. It flows through the Appalachian Mountains and has a rich history dating back to the 1800s when it was used for transportation and logging. Today, the river is used for recreational activities such as whitewater rafting, fishing, and kayaking. The river's hydrology is affected by several dams and reservoirs, including the 2,800-acre Cheat Lake and the 13-mile-long Cheat Canyon. These reservoirs are used for hydroelectric power, as well as for recreational activities such as boating and swimming. Agricultural uses of the river include irrigation and livestock watering. Despite past pollution from coal mining and other industries, the Cheat River has made significant progress in recent years towards being restored to a healthy ecosystem.
Fishing near the Cheat River
About the Cheat River
How is the Cheat River flowing right now?
As of October 2, 2026, the Cheat River is flowing at 916 cfs at Albright, WV, about 181% of normal for the date. Across its 2 USGS gauges, current flows range from 649 to 916 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Cheat River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the Cheat River is at 193% of normal for the date. Above 100% means higher than the historical average for this calendar day; below 100% means lower. The profile above shows which reaches are high or low.
What is flood stage on the Cheat River?
The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Parsons (18.5 ft), Albright (27.0 ft). The table shows how far each gauge is below its flood stage right now.
Where does the data come from?
Discharge and gage height are from the USGS National Water Information System; flood stages from the National Weather Service. The history chart sums every monitored gauge on the river.
Can I get alerts for a gauge?
Yes — open any gauge from the table, favorite it in the Snoflo app and set a flow threshold.