Cowpasture River Flow Today
As of October 22, 2026 at 3:30 AM, the Cowpasture River is flowing at 170 cfs near Clifton Forge, VA — 144% of normal for the date and down 11% in 24 hours. ❤ Favorite
Cowpasture River map
See the Cowpasture 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
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Cowpasture 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 Clifton Forge, the Cowpasture River is running 170 cfs — 144% of normal, down 11% since yesterday. Along the river, 1 of 1 reporting gauges are above normal (the typical gauge is at 144% of normal).
In the last 24 hours the river is dropping at Clifton Forge (-11%).
Paddlers: 0 of 2 runs on the Cowpasture River with a live range are in range, 2 too low.
How the Cowpasture 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
- Clifton Forge1,024 ft 170 cfs144%
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 Cowpasture River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (144%).
Cowpasture River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | To flood stage | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cowpasture River Near Clifton Forge VA
Oct 22, 3:30 AM · USGS 02016000 |
170 cfs | 144% | -11% | 1.78 ft | 8.2 ft below | 1,024 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.
Paddle runs on the Cowpasture River
Each run is checked against its runnable range using the gauge it is keyed to (or the nearest gauge on this river).
| Run | Status | Flow now | Runnable range | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Segment A--Route 42 Bridge To Confluence With Jackson River Gauge: Clifton Forge |
Too low | 170 cfs | 400–20,000 cfs | II–III |
| Segment B--Confluence With Bullpasture River To Route 42 Bridge Gauge: Clifton Forge |
Too low | 170 cfs | 600–20,000 cfs | III–IV |
Cowpasture River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river (this total last updated earlier; the live gauge readings above are current).
Cowpasture River
The Cowpasture River is a 55-mile-long river that flows through Bath and Highland counties in Virginia. It is a tributary of the James River and has a rich history, including being the site of many Native American settlements and battles during the Civil War. The river is known for its clear water and excellent fishing opportunities. The river's hydrology is influenced by its two main reservoirs, Lake Moomaw and Gathright Dam, which were constructed in the mid-20th century for flood control and hydroelectric power generation. The river is also used for agricultural purposes, particularly cattle farming. Recreational activities on the Cowpasture River include camping, hiking, fishing, and kayaking.
Fishing near the Cowpasture River
About the Cowpasture River
How is the Cowpasture River flowing right now?
As of October 22, 2026, the Cowpasture River is flowing at 170 cfs near Clifton Forge, VA, about 144% of normal for the date. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Cowpasture River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the Cowpasture River is at 144% 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 Cowpasture River?
The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Clifton Forge (10.0 ft). The table shows how far each gauge is below its flood stage right now.
Is the Cowpasture River runnable for paddling today?
Each run in the paddle table is checked against its runnable range using its gauge's live flow.
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.