River stage
Potomac River
- River level
- 1
- Status
- Running high
Latest readings 2026-10-13 | NWS · USGS
- Gauges reporting
- 12 of 12
- Above flood stage
- 0
- Above action stage
- 1
- Overall
- Running high
- Publisher
- NWS · USGS
In brief
On Oct 13, 2026, 12 of 12 gauges on the Potomac River reported. None was above flood stage; 1 was above action stage.
Source: National Weather Service and USGS gauges
Potomac River levels, gauge by gauge
The Potomac River is measured at 12 gauges across Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia. Flood stages are set per gauge, so the same river is "high" at one town and normal at the next.
| Location | Level | Status |
|---|---|---|
| NWS gauge PRBM2 | 6.41 ft | no flood stage set |
| Edwards Ferry | 7.08 ft | normal, rising |
| Hancock | 9.31 ft | normal, rising |
| Indian Head | 1.58 ft | no flood stage set |
| Paw Paw | 9.69 ft | normal, rising |
| Point of Rocks | 5.45 ft | normal, rising |
| Washington | 4.27 ft | normal, rising |
| Alexandria | 0.72 ft | normal, steady |
| Leesylvania State Park | 1.47 ft | normal, steady |
| Lewisetta | 2.55 ft | above action stage |
| Harpers Ferry | 6.85 ft | normal, steady |
| Shepherdstown | 7.94 ft | normal, rising |
Recent levels on the Potomac River
The gauge with the fullest recent record on this river is Edwards Ferry, MD, with 122 days of readings.
Other rivers nearby
- Shenandoah River 1 gauge
- Cedar Run 3 gauges
- Monocacy River 4 gauges
- Mill Creek (WV) 1 gauge
- Antietam Creek 2 gauges
- Cedar Creek (VA) 1 gauge
- Rappahannock River 4 gauges
- Little Falls 1 gauge
Frequently asked questions
Is the Potomac River flooding right now?
No. Every one of the 12 reporting gauges on the Potomac River is below flood stage as of 2026-10-13.
How high is the Potomac River?
The river is measured at several points and each reads a different height. Edwards Ferry is at 7.08 ft; Hancock is at 9.31 ft; Paw Paw is at 9.69 ft; Point of Rocks is at 5.45 ft.
Where is the Potomac River measured?
The National Weather Service and USGS operate 12 gauges on the Potomac River across Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia.
What does flood stage mean?
Flood stage is the height at which a river begins to cause problems at that specific location. It is set per gauge, so the same river can be above flood stage in one town and normal a few miles downstream. Action stage is the lower level at which forecasters start watching closely.
River stages and flood categories from the NOAA National Weather Service; daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.