River stage
Franklin, Blackwater River
- River level
- 1.01 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- +0.20 ft
- Recent high
- 1.46 ft
- Recent low
- -0.53 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS FKLV2
- 30-day change
- +0.11 ft
- Average
- 0.76 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 10.78 ft
In brief
The Blackwater River at Franklin, VA read 1.01 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 1.99 ft below action stage. That is 0.11 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge FKLV2
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10.78 ft | 2016-10-10 |
| 2 | 8.89 ft | 2020-09-21 |
| 3 | 8.05 ft | 2020-11-14 |
| 4 | 7.53 ft | 2021-02-20 |
| 5 | 6.39 ft | 2013-06-13 |
| 6 | 6.37 ft | 2020-08-19 |
| 7 | 5.75 ft | 2016-02-07 |
| 8 | 5.50 ft | 2024-03-10 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 3.00 ft
Water begins to flow over retaining wall on left downstream side of bridge in vicinity of the gage.
- 3.50 ft
Water covers boat ramp docks at public boat ramp.
- 4.50 ft
Water covers the docks/pier near the Gazebo.
- 8.00 ft
Water overflows rip rap on right downstream side of bridge across US 58/258 in vicinity of the gage. Lowlands upstream of bridge now inundated. Roadway entrance to water treatment plant and public boat ramp begin to flood.
- 13.00 ft
Gazebo near the Riverwalk is now flooded.
- 16.00 ft
Businesses along Main Street and South Street begin to flood.
- 20.00 ft
River stage sensor operating limit
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Blackwater River flooding at Franklin?
No. The Blackwater River at Franklin is at 1.01 ft, 1.99 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Franklin?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 3 ft, minor flooding 5 ft, moderate flooding 10 ft and major flooding 16 ft.
What is the highest the Blackwater River has been at Franklin?
The highest crest on record is 10.78 ft, on 2016-10-10.
Is the Blackwater River high or low right now at Franklin?
At 1.01 ft it is higher than 85% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge FKLV2); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 02050000). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.