New River at Thurmond, WV
USGS gauge 03185400 · drainage 6,752 sq mi · observed Oct 17, 12:45 AM EDT · 87 min old
Last 7 days Live gauge
Source: USGS Water Data API (continuous values), observed to Oct 17, 12:45 AM EDT. Shaded band: 25th to 75th percentile of USGS daily statistics for each date; dashed: median. Flow in cfs.
Rate of rise and fall Live gauge
| Window | Flow then | Change to latest | Gage height then | Gage height change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 h | 9,400 cfs | ▬ +20 cfs (+0.2%) | 7.44 ft | +0.01 ft |
| 3 h | 9,450 cfs | ▬ -30 cfs (-0.3%) | 7.46 ft | -0.01 ft |
| 6 h | 9,400 cfs | ▬ +20 cfs (+0.2%) | 7.44 ft | +0.01 ft |
| 12 h | 9,760 cfs | ▼ -340 cfs (-3.5%) | 7.58 ft | -0.13 ft |
| 24 h | 11,200 cfs | ▼ -1,780 cfs (-15.9%) | 8.09 ft | -0.64 ft |
Last 7 days
| Measure | Flow | Time | Relative to latest reading |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highest reading | 23,600 cfs | Oct 13, 9:45 AM EDT | 87 h earlier |
| Lowest reading | 1,930 cfs | Oct 10, 4:30 PM EDT | 152 h earlier |
Source: computed from USGS continuous readings (Water Data API) to Oct 17, 12:45 AM EDT. Each row compares the latest reading with the reading closest to that many hours earlier; the arrow is steady (▬) when the change is within 1%.
Last 12 months Historical record
Source: USGS daily mean flows (Water Data API), Oct 15, 2025 to Oct 15, 2026. Shaded band: 25th to 75th percentile of USGS daily statistics for each date; dashed: median. Gaps are days without a published value; recent days are provisional.
Daily mean flow Live gauge
| Date (gauge-local) | Mean flow | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 17, 2026 | – | Partial day |
| Oct 16, 2026 | 9,963 cfs | |
| Oct 15, 2026 | 17,707 cfs | |
| Oct 14, 2026 | 20,229 cfs | |
| Oct 13, 2026 | 21,731 cfs | |
| Oct 12, 2026 | 7,427 cfs | |
| Oct 11, 2026 | 2,138 cfs | |
| Oct 10, 2026 | 1,951 cfs | |
| Oct 9, 2026 | 2,115 cfs |
Source: USGS Water Data API (continuous values); each mean uses readings on that gauge-local date, shown only with at least 80% of expected readings.
The same 50 days in earlier years Historical record
━ 2026 ╌ 2025 ╌ 2024 ╌ 2023
| Year | Mean flow | Highest day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3,626 cfs | 22,000 cfs |
| 2025 | 1,949 cfs | 4,100 cfs |
| 2024 | 9,904 cfs | 34,100 cfs |
| 2023 | 2,722 cfs | 7,540 cfs |
Source: USGS daily mean flows (Water Data API). Each line is the 50 days from Aug 27 to Oct 15, shifted to the same calendar dates in earlier years; gaps are days without a published value. Recent days are provisional.
Compared with this gauge’s record Historical record
| Measure | Value | When or rank |
|---|---|---|
| Peak daily flow, last 7 days | 22,000 cfs | Oct 13, 2026 |
| Last time, before the last 7 days, that daily flow was this high or higher | 22,700 cfs | Feb 23, 2026 (8 months earlier) |
| Last day above the 90th percentile for its date, before the last 7 days | Aug 18, 2026 | 2 months earlier |
| Days above the 75th percentile for their date | 9 of 30 | last 30 days |
| October 1 to 15, mean flow | 6,232 cfs | rank 7 highest of 46 years |
Source: USGS daily mean flows (Water Data API), 1981 to 2026 (16,675 days), data through Oct 15, 2026, computed Oct 17, 2026; method record-v1. Percentiles are USGS daily statistics. Recent days are provisional.
Largest annual peaks Historical record
Ten largest peaks of record
| Date | Peak flow | Gage height at peak |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 20, 1996 | 100,000 cfs | 20.35 ft |
| Feb 1, 2013 | 99,000 cfs | 20.25 ft |
| Mar 14, 2010 | 98,500 cfs | 20.21 ft |
| Feb 23, 2003 | 96,600 cfs | 20.05 ft |
| Feb 25, 2019 | 92,800 cfs | 19.74 ft |
| Jun 24, 2016 | 90,500 cfs | 19.55 ft |
| Apr 17, 2018 | 90,400 cfs | 19.54 ft |
| Nov 20, 2003 | 84,600 cfs | 19.05 ft |
| Feb 7, 2020 | 84,000 cfs | 19.00 ft |
| Nov 6, 1985 | 83,400 cfs | 18.95 ft |
Five most recent annual peaks
| Date | Peak flow | Gage height at peak |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 11, 2024 | 47,100 cfs | 15.15 ft |
| Feb 18, 2023 | 68,500 cfs | 17.58 ft |
| Feb 5, 2022 | 49,600 cfs | 15.47 ft |
| Mar 1, 2021 | 63,800 cfs | 17.10 ft |
| Feb 7, 2020 | 84,000 cfs | 19.00 ft |
Median annual peak by decade (calendar year of the peak date)
| Decade | Peaks on file | Median peak | Largest peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 9 | 65,600 cfs | 83,400 cfs |
| 1990s | 10 | 73,650 cfs | 100,000 cfs |
| 2000s | 10 | 63,550 cfs | 96,600 cfs |
| 2010s | 10 | 84,150 cfs | 99,000 cfs |
| 2020s | 5 | 63,800 cfs | 84,000 cfs |
Source: USGS annual peak streamflow (Water Data API), 44 annual peaks, 1981 to 2024. A water year's peak is its highest instantaneous flow. Gage height at older peaks can be on a different datum. Decades with fewer than 5 peaks are left out.
Flood frequency: peak flows Historical record
| Chance in any year | Average spacing | Peak flow | Confidence interval, as published |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50% | 2 years | 71,200 cfs | 66,900 to 75,700 cfs |
| 20% | 5 years | 84,500 cfs | 79,700 to 89,900 cfs |
| 10% | 10 years | 91,700 cfs | 86,400 to 99,100 cfs |
| 4% | 25 years | 99,600 cfs | 93,100 to 111,000 cfs |
| 2% | 50 years | 105,000 cfs | 96,600 to 119,000 cfs |
| 1% | 100 years | 109,000 cfs | 99,300 to 127,000 cfs |
| 0.5% | 200 years | 114,000 cfs | 101,000 to 135,000 cfs |
| 0.2% | 500 years | 119,000 cfs | 103,000 to 146,000 cfs |
Source: USGS StreamStats gage statistics (peak-flow statistics, annual exceedance probability), record 1981 to 2021, 41 years. 2025, Data in Support of Estimation of Magnitude and Frequency of Floods for Rural, Unregulated Streams in and near Virginia and West Virginia: U.S. Geological Survey data release https://doi.org/10.5066/P9RBZ8OJ. Long-run statistics, not a forecast or a schedule. Fetched Oct 17, 1:06 AM EDT.
Historic crests Official NWS
| Date | Crest stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 20, 1996 | 20.35 ft | 100,000 cfs |
| Feb 1, 2013 | 20.27 ft | 99,240 cfs |
| Jan 26, 2010 | 20.10 ft | 97,200 cfs |
| Feb 23, 2003 | 20.05 ft | 96,600 cfs |
| Feb 25, 2019 | 19.68 ft | 92,064 cfs |
| Jun 24, 2016 | 19.58 ft | 90,851 cfs |
| Feb 16, 2025 | 19.06 ft | 84,363 cfs |
| Nov 20, 2003 | 19.05 ft | 84,600 cfs |
| Nov 6, 1985 | 18.95 ft | 83,400 cfs |
| Feb 15, 1984 | 18.64 ft | 80,000 cfs |
Source: National Weather Service forecast point THMW2 (New River at Thurmond), historic crests as published by the NWS; the NWS may have recorded them on an older gauge datum. The USGS annual peaks above are a separate record and can differ in date, flow and datum.
USGS field measurements Historical record
| Date | Measured flow | Gage height | Rated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 19, 2026 | 10,700 cfs | 8.10 ft | Good |
| May 13, 2026 | 2,440 cfs | 3.41 ft | Good |
| Apr 17, 2026 | 3,520 cfs | 4.36 ft | Good |
| Jan 16, 2026 | 5,790 cfs | 5.74 ft | Good |
| Jul 21, 2025 | 8,650 cfs | 7.26 ft | Fair |
| Apr 24, 2025 | 5,390 cfs | 5.57 ft | Good |
| Jan 29, 2025 | 5,340 cfs | 5.35 ft | Good |
| Nov 19, 2024 | 4,050 cfs | 4.59 ft | Good |
| Sep 17, 2024 | 1,390 cfs | 2.20 ft | Fair |
| Jul 15, 2024 | 1,590 cfs | 2.48 ft | Good |
Source: USGS Water Data API field measurements, the 10 most recent site-visit measurements with a flow value, fetched Oct 17, 12:39 AM EDT. The rating shown is the USGS measurement rating as published.
Flood events in Fayette County, 2016 to 2026 Historical record
| Flood and flash flood events | Deaths | Injuries | Property and crop damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 1 | 0 | $12,852,500 |
Most recent events
| Date | Type | Cause | Location | Deaths | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 23, 2026 | Flood | Heavy Rain | Pax | 0 | $0 |
| Sep 20, 2025 | Flash Flood | Heavy Rain | Summerlee | 0 | $0 |
| Jul 9, 2025 | Flash Flood | Heavy Rain | Ansted | 0 | $0 |
| Jun 26, 2025 | Flash Flood | Heavy Rain | Oak Hill | 0 | $0 |
| Feb 16, 2025 | Flood | Heavy Rain | Fire Creek | 0 | $0 |
| Feb 15, 2025 | Flood | Heavy Rain | Kilsyth | 0 | $0 |
| Feb 15, 2025 | Flood | Heavy Rain | Long Branch | 0 | $0 |
| Feb 6, 2025 | Flood | Heavy Rain | Lochgelly | 0 | $0 |
| Jan 31, 2025 | Flood | Heavy Rain | Long Branch | 0 | $0 |
| Jul 9, 2023 | Flash Flood | Heavy Rain | Montgomery | 0 | $1,500 |
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database (county-level Flood and Flash Flood events), 2016 to 2026, fetched Oct 17, 12:39 AM EDT. Deaths include direct and indirect; damage is as reported to NCEI. NCEI data are in the public domain in the United States.
Federal flood disaster declarations Historical record
14 federal flood disaster declarations on file for Fayette County.
| Declaration | Declared | Incident period | Title | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DR-4953-WV | Oct 7, 2026 | Aug 14, 2026 to Aug 18, 2026 | SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING | – |
| DR-4783-WV | May 22, 2024 | Apr 2, 2024 to Apr 6, 2024 | SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, TORNADOES, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES | – |
| DR-4679-WV | Nov 28, 2022 | Aug 14, 2022 to Aug 15, 2022 | SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES | Public assistance |
| DR-4273-WV | Jun 25, 2016 | Jun 22, 2016 to Jun 29, 2016 | SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES | Public assistance |
| DR-4210-WV | Mar 31, 2015 | Mar 3, 2015 to Mar 14, 2015 | SEVERE WINTER STORM, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES | Public assistance |
| DR-1893-WV | Mar 29, 2010 | Mar 12, 2010 to Apr 9, 2010 | SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, MUDSLIDES, AND LANDSLIDES | Public assistance |
| DR-1536-WV | Aug 6, 2004 | Jul 22, 2004 to Sep 1, 2004 | SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, AND LANDSLIDES | Individual assistance |
| DR-1522-WV | Jun 7, 2004 | May 27, 2004 to Jun 28, 2004 | SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, AND LANDSLIDES | Individual assistance |
| DR-1500-WV | Nov 21, 2003 | Nov 11, 2003 to Nov 30, 2003 | SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING, AND LANDSLIDES | Public assistance, Individual assistance |
| DR-1455-WV | Mar 14, 2003 | Feb 16, 2003 to Mar 28, 2003 | SEVERE WINTER STORM, RECORD/NEAR RECORD SNOW, HEAVY RAINS, FLOODING AND LANDSLIDES | Individual assistance |
| DR-1378-WV | Jun 3, 2001 | May 15, 2001 to Sep 4, 2001 | SEVERE STORMS, FLOODING AND LANDSLIDES | Public assistance, Individual assistance |
| DR-628-WV | Aug 15, 1980 | Aug 15, 1980 to Aug 22, 1980 | SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING | Individual assistance |
Source: This product uses the Federal Emergency Management Agency's OpenFEMA API, but is not endorsed by FEMA. Dataset: Disaster Declarations Summaries, endpoint https://www.fema.gov/api/open/v2/DisasterDeclarationsSummaries (v2), accessed Oct 17, 12:39 AM EDT. Declarations whose type is Flood or whose title contains FLOOD; the 12 most recent are listed.
Gage height to flow rating Historical record
Line: current USGS rating, gage height (ft, horizontal) to flow (cfs, vertical). ● latest reading, 7.45 ft and 9,420 cfs.
Source: USGS rating table for the gauge (NWIS rating depot, expanded shifted rating, 1,933 rows, thinned to 93 points), fetched Oct 17, 12:39 AM EDT. Ratings are provisional and change with the channel.
Water temperature by month Historical record
Source: USGS daily mean water temperature (parameter 00010, Water Data API), 1990 to 2021, mean of all published daily values in each calendar month (days counted under each month; (few) means fewer than 150 daily values).
Water quality sensors Live gauge
| Measure | Latest value | Observed |
|---|---|---|
| Water temperature | 68.5 °F (20.3 °C) | Oct 17, 12:45 AM EDT |
| Dissolved oxygen | 8.6 mg/L | Oct 17, 12:45 AM EDT |
| Turbidity | 10 FNU | Oct 17, 12:45 AM EDT |
| pH | 8.0 pH units | Oct 17, 12:45 AM EDT |
| Specific conductance | 144 µS/cm | Oct 17, 12:45 AM EDT |
Source: USGS Water Data API (continuous values). Values as reported by the gauge, provisional.
Flood stages Official NWS
| Category | Gage height (ft) |
|---|---|
| Action | 16.0 ft |
| Minor | 19.0 ft |
| Moderate | 20.0 ft |
| Major | 22.0 ft |
Source: National Weather Service forecast point THMW2 (New River at Thurmond), fetched Oct 17, 2:08 AM EDT. Compare with the gage height above; thresholds belong to that forecast point.
National Weather Service forecast point Official NWS
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Forecast point | THMW2, New River at Thurmond |
| Weather Forecast Office | South Charleston (RLX) |
| River Forecast Center | Ohio River Forecast Center (OHRFC) |
| Forecast reliability, as published | Forecasts are issued routinely year-round. |
| Flood inundation maps | Check this forecast point at water.noaa.gov |
| Upstream forecast points (nearest 6 of 10) | New River at Hinton; New River at Glen Lyn; New River at Radford; New River at Allisonia; New River at Ivanhoe; New River at Galax |
| Downstream forecast points (nearest 6 of 7) | New River below Hawks Nest; Kanawha River at Kanawha Falls; Kanawha River at London Locks; Kanawha River below Marmet Locks; Kanawha River at South Side Bridge; Kanawha River at Charleston Old Lock 6 |
Source: National Weather Service National Water Prediction Service, forecast point THMW2, fetched Oct 17, 2:08 AM EDT.
Flood impacts by stage Official NWS
| Stage | National Weather Service impact statement |
|---|---|
| 16.0 ft | Dunglen group camping area and boat ramp floods. |
| 19.0 ft | A few homes on WV Route 25 above the Dunglen camping area begin to flood. |
| 19.5 ft | Flooding of low areas begins along the river with backwater flooding occurring on Dunloup Creek and Arbuckle Creek. |
| 20.0 ft | Stone Cliff camping area floods. |
| 30.0 ft | Dunglen parking area floods. |
| 32.0 ft | Low sections of WV Route 25 above the Dunglen camping area flood. |
| 34.0 ft | Row of homes on WV Route 25 approximately half a mile below the Stone Cliff bridge begin to flood. |
| 37.0 ft | Parking lot in town between the railroad tracks and the river floods. |
| 38.0 ft | Railroad tracks in town begin to flood. |
| 39.0 ft | Historic vacant business district in town floods. |
| 42.0 ft | Historic train station, museum, and post office flood. Access to the town is cutoff. |
Source: National Weather Service forecast point THMW2 (New River at Thurmond). Statements are quoted from the NWS and describe that forecast point.
State water quality assessments near the gauge Agency data
| Assessment unit | Overall status | Category | Impaired | Has TMDL | Cycle | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New River (Lower) | Not Supporting | 4A | Y | Y | 2024 | EPA report |
| New River (Lower) | Not Supporting | 4A | Y | Y | 2024 | EPA report |
| Dunloup Creek | Not Supporting | 5 | Y | Y | 2024 | EPA report |
Source: EPA ATTAINS assessment units within about 400 m of the gauge, as reported by the state, fetched Oct 17, 12:39 AM EDT. Values are the state's assessment, quoted.
Upstream watershed characteristics Agency data
| Measure (whole upstream watershed) | Value |
|---|---|
| Impervious surface, 2019 | 1.7% |
| Medium-intensity urban land, 2019 | 0.9% |
| Cropland, 2019 | 0.4% |
| Woody wetland, 2019 | 0.1% |
| Mean elevation | 2,617 ft |
| Mean annual precipitation, 1981 to 2010 | 43.4 in |
| Mean annual runoff | 19.9 in |
| Base-flow index | 47% |
| Dam density | 0.007 per sq km |
Source: U.S. EPA StreamCat (NHDPlus reach 6920810), watershed-wide metrics; land cover from the 2019 National Land Cover Database. Static values, fetched Oct 17, 12:39 AM EDT.
Sources and method
- Data: U.S. Geological Survey. Terms
- River forecasts, flood stages, crests and impact statements: National Weather Service. Terms
- Storm events: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database. Terms
- Declarations: FEMA OpenFEMA (not endorsed by FEMA). Terms
- Water quality assessments and watershed data: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Terms
USGS daily statistics, downloaded Oct 12, 2026
Percentile method: trailing 24 h mean vs USGS daily percentiles for calendar date 10-17.
Percentile is estimated from USGS published daily percentiles. Readings are provisional until USGS reviews them. Not endorsed by USGS, NOAA or the National Weather Service. Not for navigation or safety-of-life decisions; the absence of an alert is not a statement that conditions are safe.