River stage
Shepherdstown, Potomac River
- River level
- 7.94 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- +5.96 ft
- Recent high
- 6.43 ft
- Recent low
- 1.82 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS SHEW2
- 30-day change
- +6.00 ft
- Average
- 2.30 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 42.07 ft
In brief
The Potomac River at Shepherdstown, WV read 7.94 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 0.06 ft below action stage. That is 6.00 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge SHEW2
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 42.07 ft | 1936-03-19 |
| 2 | 39.20 ft | 1889-06-01 |
| 3 | 33.20 ft | 1937-04-27 |
| 4 | 32.68 ft | 1942-10-16 |
| 5 | 32.50 ft | 1996-01-21 |
| 6 | 31.58 ft | 1972-06-23 |
| 7 | 31.44 ft | 1985-11-07 |
| 8 | 29.80 ft | 1924-05-13 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 8.00 ft
Water covers the lower parking area of the boat ramp adjacent to Dam Number Four on the West Virginia side of the river.
- 10.00 ft
Water begins to cover the C&O Canal towpath upstream and downstream of McMahons Mill.
- 12.00 ft
Water reaches the lowest part of the parking areas at Big Slackwater and Taylors Landing on the Maryland side of the river.
- 13.00 ft
River Road near Shepherdstown begins to flood. Water completely covers the boat ramp at Shepherdstown.
- 15.00 ft
River Road is completely flooded in low spots between Shepherdstown and Harpers Ferry. Significant portions of the C&O Canal towpath are flooded between McMahons Mill and Dam Number Four.
- 16.00 ft
Water goes over the banks of the Potomac near the mouth of the Opequon River.
- 19.00 ft
Water covers the pedestrian bridge adjacent to the Shepherdstown boat ramp. Significant portions of the C&O Canal towpath are flooded.
- 22.00 ft
Water approaches homes on the West Virginia side of the river near Shepherdstown, and impacts are also observed on the Maryland side, not just to the C&O Canal towpath, but also to roads and structures.
- 24.00 ft
Water begins to cover the parking lot adjacent to the Shepherdstown boat ramp, and approaches the lowest point of an adjacent building. Water also reaches the upper parking area of the boat ramp adjacent to Dam Number Four on the West Virginia side of the river.
- 25.00 ft
Significant flooding is occurring throughout this stretch of the Potomac, with numerous buildings and roads inundated, and a few homes. Major impacts are occurring on C&O Canal property.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Potomac River flooding at Shepherdstown?
No. The Potomac River at Shepherdstown is at 7.94 ft, 0.06 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Shepherdstown?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 8 ft, minor flooding 15 ft, moderate flooding 22 ft and major flooding 25 ft.
What is the highest the Potomac River has been at Shepherdstown?
The highest crest on record is 42.07 ft, on 1936-03-19.
Is the Potomac River high or low right now at Shepherdstown?
At 7.94 ft it is higher than 100% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge SHEW2); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 01618000). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.