SOUTH BRANCH POTOMAC RIVER AT FRANKLIN, WV
USGS 01605500 · West Virginia · reports discharge (live), gauge height
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USGS 01605500 · West Virginia · reports discharge (live), gauge height
What the agencies suggest
Stand back from the shoreline and be aware of surroundingsRhode Island Department of Environmental Management
General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.
Reading Nov 5, 10:50 PM EST · provisional USGS data
Normal for Nov 5 Rising · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 185 readings from Oct 29, 11:50 PM EDT to Nov 5, 10:50 PM EST; ranging 50.5 to 63.6 ft³/s; latest 59 ft³/s; shaded band: typical range (25th–75th percentile) for each date.
USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.
| Time | Discharge (ft³/s) | Gauge height (ft) | Normal, 25th–75th (ft³/s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 10:50 PM EST | 59 | 1.82 | 34–94 |
| Nov 5, 9:55 PM EST | 59 | 1.82 | 34–94 |
| Nov 5, 9:00 PM EST | 59 | 1.82 | 34–94 |
| Nov 5, 8:05 PM EST | 57.5 | 1.81 | 34–94 |
| Nov 5, 7:10 PM EST | 57.5 | 1.81 | 34–94 |
| Nov 5, 6:15 PM EST | 57.5 | 1.81 | 34–94 |
| Nov 5, 5:20 PM EST | 57.5 | 1.81 | 34–94 |
| Nov 5, 4:25 PM EST | 57.5 | 1.81 | 34–94 |
| Nov 5, 3:30 PM EST | 56.1 | 1.8 | 34–94 |
| Nov 5, 2:35 PM EST | 56.1 | 1.8 | 34–94 |
| Nov 5, 1:40 PM EST | 54.7 | 1.79 | 34–94 |
| Nov 5, 12:45 PM EST | 54.7 | 1.79 | 34–94 |
| Nov 5, 11:50 AM EST | 54.7 | 1.79 | 34–94 |
| Nov 5, 10:55 AM EST | 54.7 | 1.79 | 34–94 |
| Nov 5, 10:00 AM EST | 54.7 | 1.79 | 34–94 |
| Nov 5, 9:05 AM EST | 54.7 | 1.79 | 34–94 |
| Nov 5, 8:10 AM EST | 54.7 | 1.79 | 34–94 |
| Nov 5, 7:15 AM EST | 54.7 | 1.79 | 34–94 |
| Nov 5, 6:20 AM EST | 53.3 | 1.78 | 34–94 |
| Nov 5, 5:25 AM EST | 53.3 | 1.78 | 34–94 |
| Nov 5, 4:30 AM EST | 54.7 | 1.79 | 34–94 |
| Nov 5, 3:35 AM EST | 53.3 | 1.78 | 34–94 |
| Nov 5, 2:40 AM EST | 53.3 | 1.78 | 34–94 |
| Nov 5, 1:45 AM EST | 53.3 | 1.78 | 34–94 |
| Nov 5, 12:50 AM EST | 51.9 | 1.77 | 34–94 |
| Nov 4, 11:55 PM EST | 51.9 | 1.77 | 33–95 |
| Nov 4, 11:00 PM EST | 51.9 | 1.77 | 33–95 |
| Nov 4, 10:05 PM EST | 51.9 | 1.77 | 33–95 |
| Nov 4, 9:10 PM EST | 51.9 | 1.77 | 33–95 |
| Nov 4, 8:15 PM EST | 51.9 | 1.77 | 33–95 |
| Nov 4, 7:20 PM EST | 50.5 | 1.76 | 33–95 |
| Nov 4, 6:25 PM EST | 50.5 | 1.76 | 33–95 |
| Nov 4, 5:30 PM EST | 51.9 | 1.77 | 33–95 |
| Nov 4, 4:35 PM EST | 51.9 | 1.77 | 33–95 |
| Nov 4, 3:40 PM EST | 51.9 | 1.77 | 33–95 |
| Nov 4, 2:45 PM EST | 51.9 | 1.77 | 33–95 |
| Nov 4, 1:50 PM EST | 51.9 | 1.77 | 33–95 |
| Nov 4, 12:55 PM EST | 51.9 | 1.77 | 33–95 |
| Nov 4, 12:00 PM EST | 51.9 | 1.77 | 33–95 |
| Nov 4, 11:05 AM EST | 51.9 | 1.77 | 33–95 |
| Nov 4, 10:10 AM EST | 51.9 | 1.77 | 33–95 |
| Nov 4, 9:15 AM EST | 51.9 | 1.77 | 33–95 |
| Nov 4, 8:20 AM EST | 51.9 | 1.77 | 33–95 |
| Nov 4, 7:25 AM EST | 51.9 | 1.77 | 33–95 |
| Nov 4, 6:30 AM EST | 53.3 | 1.78 | 33–95 |
| Nov 4, 5:35 AM EST | 51.9 | 1.77 | 33–95 |
| Nov 4, 4:40 AM EST | 51.9 | 1.77 | 33–95 |
| Nov 4, 3:45 AM EST | 51.9 | 1.77 | 33–95 |
| Nov 4, 2:50 AM EST | 51.9 | 1.77 | 33–95 |
| Nov 4, 1:55 AM EST | 51.9 | 1.77 | 33–95 |
| Nov 4, 1:00 AM EST | 51.9 | 1.77 | 33–95 |
| Nov 4, 12:05 AM EST | 51.9 | 1.77 | 33–95 |
| Nov 3, 11:10 PM EST | 51.9 | 1.77 | 35–87 |
| Nov 3, 10:15 PM EST | 51.9 | 1.77 | 35–87 |
| Nov 3, 9:20 PM EST | 51.9 | 1.77 | 35–87 |
| Nov 3, 8:25 PM EST | 51.9 | 1.77 | 35–87 |
| Nov 3, 7:30 PM EST | 51.9 | 1.77 | 35–87 |
| Nov 3, 6:35 PM EST | 51.9 | 1.77 | 35–87 |
| Nov 3, 5:40 PM EST | 51.9 | 1.77 | 35–87 |
| Nov 3, 4:45 PM EST | 51.9 | 1.77 | 35–87 |
| Nov 3, 3:50 PM EST | 51.9 | 1.77 | 35–87 |
| Nov 3, 2:55 PM EST | 53.3 | 1.78 | 35–87 |
| Nov 3, 2:00 PM EST | 53.3 | 1.78 | 35–87 |
| Nov 3, 1:05 PM EST | 53.3 | 1.78 | 35–87 |
| Nov 3, 12:10 PM EST | 53.3 | 1.78 | 35–87 |
| Nov 3, 11:15 AM EST | 53.3 | 1.78 | 35–87 |
| Nov 3, 10:20 AM EST | 53.3 | 1.78 | 35–87 |
| Nov 3, 9:25 AM EST | 53.3 | 1.78 | 35–87 |
| Nov 3, 8:30 AM EST | 53.3 | 1.78 | 35–87 |
| Nov 3, 7:35 AM EST | 53.3 | 1.78 | 35–87 |
| Nov 3, 6:40 AM EST | 53.3 | 1.78 | 35–87 |
| Nov 3, 5:45 AM EST | 53.3 | 1.78 | 35–87 |
| Nov 3, 4:50 AM EST | 53.3 | 1.78 | 35–87 |
| Nov 3, 3:55 AM EST | 53.3 | 1.78 | 35–87 |
| Nov 3, 3:00 AM EST | 53.3 | 1.78 | 35–87 |
| Nov 3, 2:05 AM EST | 53.3 | 1.78 | 35–87 |
| Nov 3, 1:10 AM EST | 53.3 | 1.78 | 35–87 |
| Nov 3, 12:15 AM EST | 53.3 | 1.78 | 35–87 |
| Nov 2, 11:20 PM EST | 53.3 | 1.78 | 34–84 |
| Nov 2, 10:25 PM EST | 53.3 | 1.78 | 34–84 |
| Nov 2, 9:30 PM EST | 53.3 | 1.78 | 34–84 |
| Nov 2, 8:35 PM EST | 53.3 | 1.78 | 34–84 |
| Nov 2, 7:40 PM EST | 53.3 | 1.78 | 34–84 |
| Nov 2, 6:45 PM EST | 53.3 | 1.78 | 34–84 |
| Nov 2, 5:50 PM EST | 53.3 | 1.78 | 34–84 |
| Nov 2, 4:55 PM EST | 53.3 | 1.78 | 34–84 |
| Nov 2, 4:00 PM EST | 53.3 | 1.78 | 34–84 |
| Nov 2, 3:05 PM EST | 53.3 | 1.78 | 34–84 |
| Nov 2, 2:10 PM EST | 53.3 | 1.78 | 34–84 |
| Nov 2, 1:15 PM EST | 54.7 | 1.79 | 34–84 |
| Nov 2, 12:20 PM EST | 54.7 | 1.79 | 34–84 |
| Nov 2, 11:25 AM EST | 54.7 | 1.79 | 34–84 |
| Nov 2, 10:30 AM EST | 54.7 | 1.79 | 34–84 |
| Nov 2, 9:35 AM EST | 54.7 | 1.79 | 34–84 |
| Nov 2, 8:40 AM EST | 54.7 | 1.79 | 34–84 |
| Nov 2, 7:45 AM EST | 54.7 | 1.79 | 34–84 |
| Nov 2, 6:50 AM EST | 54.7 | 1.79 | 34–84 |
| Nov 2, 5:55 AM EST | 54.7 | 1.79 | 34–84 |
| Nov 2, 5:00 AM EST | 54.7 | 1.79 | 34–84 |
| Nov 2, 4:05 AM EST | 54.7 | 1.79 | 34–84 |
| Nov 2, 3:10 AM EST | 54.7 | 1.79 | 34–84 |
| Nov 2, 2:15 AM EST | 54.7 | 1.79 | 34–84 |
| Nov 2, 1:20 AM EST | 54.7 | 1.79 | 34–84 |
| Nov 2, 12:25 AM EST | 54.7 | 1.79 | 34–84 |
| Nov 1, 11:30 PM EST | 54.7 | 1.79 | 35–85 |
| Nov 1, 10:35 PM EST | 54.7 | 1.79 | 35–85 |
| Nov 1, 9:40 PM EST | 54.7 | 1.79 | 35–85 |
| Nov 1, 8:45 PM EST | 54.7 | 1.79 | 35–85 |
| Nov 1, 7:50 PM EST | 54.7 | 1.79 | 35–85 |
| Nov 1, 6:55 PM EST | 54.7 | 1.79 | 35–85 |
| Nov 1, 6:00 PM EST | 54.7 | 1.79 | 35–85 |
| Nov 1, 5:05 PM EST | 54.7 | 1.79 | 35–85 |
| Nov 1, 4:10 PM EST | 54.7 | 1.79 | 35–85 |
| Nov 1, 3:15 PM EST | 54.7 | 1.79 | 35–85 |
| Nov 1, 2:20 PM EST | 56.1 | 1.8 | 35–85 |
| Nov 1, 1:25 PM EST | 56.1 | 1.8 | 35–85 |
| Nov 1, 12:30 PM EST | 56.1 | 1.8 | 35–85 |
| Nov 1, 11:35 AM EST | 56.1 | 1.8 | 35–85 |
| Nov 1, 10:40 AM EST | 56.1 | 1.8 | 35–85 |
| Nov 1, 9:45 AM EST | 56.1 | 1.8 | 35–85 |
| Nov 1, 8:50 AM EST | 56.1 | 1.8 | 35–85 |
| Nov 1, 7:55 AM EST | 56.1 | 1.8 | 35–85 |
| Nov 1, 7:00 AM EST | 56.1 | 1.8 | 35–85 |
| Nov 1, 6:05 AM EST | 56.1 | 1.8 | 35–85 |
| Nov 1, 5:10 AM EST | 56.1 | 1.8 | 35–85 |
| Nov 1, 4:15 AM EST | 56.1 | 1.8 | 35–85 |
| Nov 1, 3:20 AM EST | 56.1 | 1.8 | 35–85 |
| Nov 1, 2:25 AM EST | 56.1 | 1.8 | 35–85 |
| Nov 1, 1:30 AM EST | 56.1 | 1.8 | 35–85 |
| Nov 1, 1:35 AM EDT | 56.1 | 1.8 | 35–85 |
| Nov 1, 12:40 AM EDT | 56.1 | 1.8 | 35–85 |
| Oct 31, 11:45 PM EDT | 56.1 | 1.8 | 33–87 |
| Oct 31, 10:50 PM EDT | 56.1 | 1.8 | 33–87 |
| Oct 31, 9:55 PM EDT | 56.1 | 1.8 | 33–87 |
| Oct 31, 9:00 PM EDT | 56.1 | 1.8 | 33–87 |
| Oct 31, 8:05 PM EDT | 56.1 | 1.8 | 33–87 |
| Oct 31, 7:10 PM EDT | 56.1 | 1.8 | 33–87 |
| Oct 31, 6:15 PM EDT | 57.5 | 1.81 | 33–87 |
| Oct 31, 5:20 PM EDT | 57.5 | 1.81 | 33–87 |
| Oct 31, 4:25 PM EDT | 57.5 | 1.81 | 33–87 |
| Oct 31, 3:30 PM EDT | 57.5 | 1.81 | 33–87 |
| Oct 31, 2:35 PM EDT | 57.5 | 1.81 | 33–87 |
| Oct 31, 1:40 PM EDT | 57.5 | 1.81 | 33–87 |
| Oct 31, 12:45 PM EDT | 57.5 | 1.81 | 33–87 |
| Oct 31, 11:50 AM EDT | 57.5 | 1.81 | 33–87 |
| Oct 31, 10:55 AM EDT | 57.5 | 1.81 | 33–87 |
| Oct 31, 10:00 AM EDT | 59 | 1.82 | 33–87 |
| Oct 31, 9:05 AM EDT | 59 | 1.82 | 33–87 |
| Oct 31, 8:10 AM EDT | 59 | 1.82 | 33–87 |
| Oct 31, 7:15 AM EDT | 59 | 1.82 | 33–87 |
| Oct 31, 6:20 AM EDT | 59 | 1.82 | 33–87 |
| Oct 31, 5:25 AM EDT | 59 | 1.82 | 33–87 |
| Oct 31, 4:30 AM EDT | 59 | 1.82 | 33–87 |
| Oct 31, 3:35 AM EDT | 59 | 1.82 | 33–87 |
| Oct 31, 2:40 AM EDT | 59 | 1.82 | 33–87 |
| Oct 31, 1:45 AM EDT | 59 | 1.82 | 33–87 |
| Oct 31, 12:50 AM EDT | 59 | 1.82 | 33–87 |
| Oct 30, 11:55 PM EDT | 59 | 1.82 | 33–85 |
| Oct 30, 11:00 PM EDT | 60.5 | 1.83 | 33–85 |
| Oct 30, 10:05 PM EDT | 60.5 | 1.83 | 33–85 |
| Oct 30, 9:10 PM EDT | 60.5 | 1.83 | 33–85 |
| Oct 30, 8:15 PM EDT | 60.5 | 1.83 | 33–85 |
| Oct 30, 7:20 PM EDT | 62 | 1.84 | 33–85 |
| Oct 30, 6:25 PM EDT | 62 | 1.84 | 33–85 |
| Oct 30, 5:30 PM EDT | 62 | 1.84 | 33–85 |
| Oct 30, 4:35 PM EDT | 62 | 1.84 | 33–85 |
| Oct 30, 3:40 PM EDT | 63.6 | 1.85 | 33–85 |
| Oct 30, 2:45 PM EDT | 63.6 | 1.85 | 33–85 |
| Oct 30, 1:50 PM EDT | 62 | 1.84 | 33–85 |
| Oct 30, 12:55 PM EDT | 62 | 1.84 | 33–85 |
| Oct 30, 12:00 PM EDT | 62 | 1.84 | 33–85 |
| Oct 30, 11:05 AM EDT | 60.5 | 1.83 | 33–85 |
| Oct 30, 10:10 AM EDT | 62 | 1.84 | 33–85 |
| Oct 30, 9:15 AM EDT | 62 | 1.84 | 33–85 |
| Oct 30, 8:20 AM EDT | 62 | 1.84 | 33–85 |
| Oct 30, 7:25 AM EDT | 62 | 1.84 | 33–85 |
| Oct 30, 6:30 AM EDT | 62 | 1.84 | 33–85 |
| Oct 30, 5:35 AM EDT | 62 | 1.84 | 33–85 |
| Oct 30, 4:40 AM EDT | 62 | 1.84 | 33–85 |
| Oct 30, 3:45 AM EDT | 62 | 1.84 | 33–85 |
| Oct 30, 2:50 AM EDT | 62 | 1.84 | 33–85 |
| Oct 30, 1:55 AM EDT | 62 | 1.84 | 33–85 |
| Oct 30, 1:00 AM EDT | 62 | 1.84 | 33–85 |
| Oct 30, 12:05 AM EDT | 62 | 1.84 | 33–85 |
| Oct 29, 11:50 PM EDT | 62 | 1.84 | 33–100 |
Map of USGS gauge 01605500 and the river around it
Where SOUTH BRANCH POTOMAC RIVER AT FRANKLIN, WV sits, with 1 other gauge on the same river and our water's map point.
No current water-temperature reading at this gauge, so no temperature guidance is given. Take a stream thermometer. West Virginia DNR publishes no water-temperature line for trout anglers that we found. The lines below are the National Park Service's, federal guidance, not a West Virginia rule: 68°F.
This gauge is on our page for South Branch Potomac River, but no agency page we read lists its species.
Normal for Nov 5: 34–94 ft³/s (middle half of 79 years of record). Now: 59 ft³/s, normal.
Normal for this date. 59 ft³/s is between the 25th and 75th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 79 years of record (1941–2026): 10th 30, 25th 34, median 53, 75th 94, 90th 182 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 22.3 ft³/s, highest 17,000 ft³/s.
Classes as USGS labels them (hyswap: flow categories (WDFN_stats schema) (U.S. Geological Survey) ); percentiles from the USGS daily statistics (U.S. Geological Survey) (approved daily means; the reading is provisional and instantaneous).
Rising over 24 hours: discharge up 13.7%, from 51.9 to 59 ft³/s. Rising or falling means a change of more than 10% in discharge (or 0.2 ft of gauge height) over 24 hours; our rule of thumb, not a USGS class.
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
Flood categories: action stage, minor, moderate and major flooding (National Weather Service)Rising water. Rising over the last 24 hours (discharge up 13.7%). Keep your way back to the bank in sight and watch the level while you fish. “Rising” is our rule of thumb: more than 10% in discharge or 0.2 ft of gauge height in 24 hours, not a USGS or NWS class.
Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.
Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)Guidance from the readings above and the published thresholds named with each line; not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access. Local rules and closures come first.
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
NWS observed 1.82 ft stage, 59 ft³/s at Nov 5, 10:20 PM EST (NWS gauge FKLW2; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
NWS river forecast forecast issued Nov 5, 9:59 AM EST. Highest point: 1.8 ft, 56 ft³/s on Nov 5, 1:00 PM EST (Below NWS action stage).
| Day | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 5 | 1.8 ft | 56 ft³/s |
| Fri, Nov 6 | 1.8 ft | 56 ft³/s |
| Sat, Nov 7 | 1.8 ft | 56 ft³/s |
| Sun, Nov 8 | 1.8 ft | 56 ft³/s |
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
Checked Nov 5, 11:02 PM EST; readings refresh at most every 15 minutes and statistics daily. Provisional USGS data can be revised. Conditions change: re-check before you go. This is general guidance, not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access.