Kanawha River Flow Today
As of October 23, 2026 at 3:00 AM, the Kanawha River is flowing at 8,920 cfs at Charleston, WV — 178% of normal for the date and up 10% in 24 hours. 2 of 2 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 8,260 to 8,920 cfs. ❤ Favorite
Kanawha River map
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Every gauge, dam and paddle run on the river, one tap each:
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Kanawha 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 Charleston, the Kanawha River is running 8,920 cfs — 178% of normal, up 10% since yesterday. Along the river, 2 of 2 reporting gauges are above normal (the typical gauge is at 189% of normal).
In the last 24 hours the river is rising at Kanawha Falls (+58%).
How the Kanawha 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
- Kanawha Falls622 ft 8,260 cfs200%
- Charleston566 ft 8,920 cfs178%
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 Kanawha River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (189%).
Kanawha River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | To flood stage | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Kanawha River At Kanawha Falls WV
Oct 23, 4:00 AM · USGS 03193000 |
8,260 cfs | 200% | +58% | 4.76 ft | 22.2 ft below | 622 ft |
|
Kanawha River At Charleston WV
Oct 23, 3:00 AM · USGS 03198000 |
8,920 cfs | 178% | +10% | 18.40 ft | · | 566 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 Kanawha River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
Kanawha River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.
Maximum streamflow by year
Kanawha River
The Kanawha River is a tributary of the Ohio River, running 97 miles through West Virginia. It was a significant transportation route during the 19th century, used for the shipment of coal, salt, and other goods. The river is formed by the confluence of the New and Gauley Rivers at Kanawha Falls, and it flows through several reservoirs, including the Sutton Lake, Summersville Lake, and Kanawha River Lake. These reservoirs were created by dams that were built for flood control, hydroelectric power, and recreation. The river is also used for agricultural irrigation, and its water quality is monitored by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. The Kanawha River is renowned for its recreational activities, such as boating, fishing, and camping, and it is home to several species of fish, including bass, catfish, and walleye.
About the Kanawha River
How is the Kanawha River flowing right now?
As of October 23, 2026, the Kanawha River is flowing at 8,920 cfs at Charleston, WV, about 178% of normal for the date. Across its 2 USGS gauges, current flows range from 8,260 to 8,920 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Kanawha River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the Kanawha River is at 189% 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 Kanawha River?
The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Kanawha Falls (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.