River stage
Front Royal, South Fork Shenandoah River
- River level
- 2.63 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- +1.49 ft
- Recent high
- 2.21 ft
- Recent low
- 1.02 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS FROV2
- 30-day change
- +1.52 ft
- Average
- 1.22 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 34.80 ft
In brief
The South Fork Shenandoah River at Front Royal, VA read 2.63 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 5.37 ft below action stage. That is 1.52 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge FROV2
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 34.80 ft | 1942-10-16 |
| 2 | 32.57 ft | 1996-09-07 |
| 3 | 32.43 ft | 1985-11-06 |
| 4 | 26.01 ft | 1936-03-18 |
| 5 | 25.20 ft | 1996-01-20 |
| 6 | 23.98 ft | 1972-06-22 |
| 7 | 23.50 ft | 1902-03-01 |
| 8 | 22.54 ft | 1955-08-19 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 8.00 ft
A boat ramp near the end of Luray Avenue south of Front Royal floods. A second boat ramp near Bentonville also floods.
- 10.00 ft
Hay fields near the gauge begin to flood.
- 12.00 ft
Backwater begins to creep up Luray Avenue toward the railroad trestle. A riverside parking area at the end of Luray Avenue is flooded.
- 14.00 ft
Railroad tracks along the river south of Front Royal begin to flood. Water approaches structures in Riverton.
- 16.00 ft
Floodwaters approach lower portions of Shenandoah Shores Estates.
- 17.00 ft
Backwater from the river reaches Rivermont Acres Drive. Water also approaches the Shenandoah Farms subdivision and covers a walking trail near the Front Royal boat ramp.
- 18.00 ft
Significant portions of the railroad tracks running along the southwest side of Front Royal are flooded.
- 20.00 ft
Backwater from the river reaches South River Road. Floodwaters cover the Indian Hollow Road bridge.
- 22.00 ft
Water approaches structures on Rivermont Acres Drive.
- 24.00 ft
Catlett Mountain Road begins to flood.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the South Fork Shenandoah River flooding at Front Royal?
No. The South Fork Shenandoah River at Front Royal is at 2.63 ft, 5.37 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Front Royal?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 8 ft, minor flooding 12 ft, moderate flooding 14 ft and major flooding 18 ft.
What is the highest the South Fork Shenandoah River has been at Front Royal?
The highest crest on record is 34.8 ft, on 1942-10-16.
Is the South Fork Shenandoah River high or low right now at Front Royal?
At 2.63 ft it is higher than 100% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge FROV2); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 01631000). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.