River stage
Petersburg, South Branch Potomac River
- River level
- 6.39 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- +2.08 ft
- Recent high
- 10.26 ft
- Recent low
- 3.73 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS PETW2
- 30-day change
- +2.51 ft
- Average
- 4.25 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 22.83 ft
In brief
The South Branch Potomac River at Petersburg, WV read 6.39 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 5.61 ft below action stage. That is 2.51 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge PETW2
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 22.83 ft | 1949-06-17 |
| 2 | 22.20 ft | 1996-09-06 |
| 3 | 21.80 ft | 1985-11-05 |
| 4 | 21.20 ft | 1877-11-24 |
| 5 | 20.30 ft | 1936-03-17 |
| 6 | 20.00 ft | 1996-01-19 |
| 7 | 19.20 ft | 1924-01-01 |
| 8 | 16.93 ft | 2018-04-16 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 12.00 ft
Water overflows the natural banks into nearby lowlands. River Road alongside the river begins to flood in its lowest spots.
- 14.00 ft
Water approaches structures upstream of Petersburg. Water also begins to cover Fish Hatchery Road near the river.
- 15.00 ft
Two structures are flooded upstream of Petersburg. Water also approaches the runway at the Petersburg Airport.
- 17.00 ft
Water reaches structures at the Grant County Airport. Flooding also begins south of the river on the south side of Petersburg.
- 18.00 ft
Water covers the entire runway at Grant County Airport and is in nearby structures. Hundreds of acres of lowlands are flooded. Water approaches homes on the north side of the river in Petersburg.
- 20.00 ft
Several city blocks on the south side of Petersburg are flooded. Backwater may also flood portions of the eastern sections of the city.
- 22.50 ft
Significant flooding is occurring. More than a hundred buildings in Petersburg are flooded.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the South Branch Potomac River flooding at Petersburg?
No. The South Branch Potomac River at Petersburg is at 6.39 ft, 5.61 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Petersburg?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 12 ft, minor flooding 14 ft, moderate flooding 15 ft and major flooding 17 ft.
What is the highest the South Branch Potomac River has been at Petersburg?
The highest crest on record is 22.83 ft, on 1949-06-17.
Is the South Branch Potomac River high or low right now at Petersburg?
At 6.39 ft it is higher than 98% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge PETW2); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 01606500). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.