POTOMAC RIVER AT PAW PAW, WV
USGS 01610000 · Maryland · reports discharge (live), gauge height
USGS 01610000 · Maryland · reports discharge (live), gauge height
What the agencies suggest
Carry a pocket thermometer to monitor water temperatureNational Park Service
General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.
Reading Nov 5, 8:15 PM EST · provisional USGS data
Normal for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 169 readings from Oct 29, 9:15 PM EDT to Nov 5, 8:15 PM EST; ranging 830 to 986 ft³/s; latest 843 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, 8:15 PM EST | 843 | 4.12 | 578–1,910 |
| Nov 5, 7:15 PM EST | 843 | 4.12 | 578–1,910 |
| Nov 5, 6:15 PM EST | 843 | 4.12 | 578–1,910 |
| Nov 5, 5:15 PM EST | 836 | 4.11 | 578–1,910 |
| Nov 5, 4:15 PM EST | 843 | 4.12 | 578–1,910 |
| Nov 5, 3:15 PM EST | 849 | 4.13 | 578–1,910 |
| Nov 5, 2:15 PM EST | 849 | 4.13 | 578–1,910 |
| Nov 5, 1:15 PM EST | 849 | 4.13 | 578–1,910 |
| Nov 5, 12:15 PM EST | 849 | 4.13 | 578–1,910 |
| Nov 5, 11:15 AM EST | 843 | 4.12 | 578–1,910 |
| Nov 5, 10:15 AM EST | 843 | 4.12 | 578–1,910 |
| Nov 5, 9:15 AM EST | 836 | 4.11 | 578–1,910 |
| Nov 5, 8:15 AM EST | 836 | 4.11 | 578–1,910 |
| Nov 5, 7:15 AM EST | 836 | 4.11 | 578–1,910 |
| Nov 5, 6:15 AM EST | 843 | 4.12 | 578–1,910 |
| Nov 5, 5:15 AM EST | 843 | 4.12 | 578–1,910 |
| Nov 5, 4:15 AM EST | 836 | 4.11 | 578–1,910 |
| Nov 5, 3:15 AM EST | 830 | 4.1 | 578–1,910 |
| Nov 5, 2:15 AM EST | 836 | 4.11 | 578–1,910 |
| Nov 5, 1:15 AM EST | 830 | 4.1 | 578–1,910 |
| Nov 5, 12:15 AM EST | 836 | 4.11 | 578–1,910 |
| Nov 4, 11:15 PM EST | 836 | 4.11 | 563–2,070 |
| Nov 4, 10:15 PM EST | 836 | 4.11 | 563–2,070 |
| Nov 4, 9:15 PM EST | 836 | 4.11 | 563–2,070 |
| Nov 4, 8:15 PM EST | 836 | 4.11 | 563–2,070 |
| Nov 4, 7:15 PM EST | 836 | 4.11 | 563–2,070 |
| Nov 4, 6:15 PM EST | 836 | 4.11 | 563–2,070 |
| Nov 4, 5:15 PM EST | 836 | 4.11 | 563–2,070 |
| Nov 4, 4:15 PM EST | 843 | 4.12 | 563–2,070 |
| Nov 4, 3:15 PM EST | 843 | 4.12 | 563–2,070 |
| Nov 4, 2:15 PM EST | 849 | 4.13 | 563–2,070 |
| Nov 4, 1:15 PM EST | 843 | 4.12 | 563–2,070 |
| Nov 4, 12:15 PM EST | 849 | 4.13 | 563–2,070 |
| Nov 4, 11:15 AM EST | 843 | 4.12 | 563–2,070 |
| Nov 4, 10:15 AM EST | 836 | 4.11 | 563–2,070 |
| Nov 4, 9:15 AM EST | 836 | 4.11 | 563–2,070 |
| Nov 4, 8:15 AM EST | 843 | 4.12 | 563–2,070 |
| Nov 4, 7:15 AM EST | 843 | 4.12 | 563–2,070 |
| Nov 4, 6:15 AM EST | 843 | 4.12 | 563–2,070 |
| Nov 4, 5:15 AM EST | 843 | 4.12 | 563–2,070 |
| Nov 4, 4:15 AM EST | 843 | 4.12 | 563–2,070 |
| Nov 4, 3:15 AM EST | 849 | 4.13 | 563–2,070 |
| Nov 4, 2:15 AM EST | 849 | 4.13 | 563–2,070 |
| Nov 4, 1:15 AM EST | 849 | 4.13 | 563–2,070 |
| Nov 4, 12:15 AM EST | 849 | 4.13 | 563–2,070 |
| Nov 3, 11:15 PM EST | 849 | 4.13 | 571–2,140 |
| Nov 3, 10:15 PM EST | 856 | 4.14 | 571–2,140 |
| Nov 3, 9:15 PM EST | 856 | 4.14 | 571–2,140 |
| Nov 3, 8:15 PM EST | 849 | 4.13 | 571–2,140 |
| Nov 3, 7:15 PM EST | 856 | 4.14 | 571–2,140 |
| Nov 3, 6:15 PM EST | 856 | 4.14 | 571–2,140 |
| Nov 3, 5:15 PM EST | 856 | 4.14 | 571–2,140 |
| Nov 3, 4:15 PM EST | 863 | 4.15 | 571–2,140 |
| Nov 3, 3:15 PM EST | 869 | 4.16 | 571–2,140 |
| Nov 3, 2:15 PM EST | 869 | 4.16 | 571–2,140 |
| Nov 3, 1:15 PM EST | 869 | 4.16 | 571–2,140 |
| Nov 3, 12:15 PM EST | 869 | 4.16 | 571–2,140 |
| Nov 3, 11:15 AM EST | 863 | 4.15 | 571–2,140 |
| Nov 3, 10:15 AM EST | 856 | 4.14 | 571–2,140 |
| Nov 3, 9:15 AM EST | 856 | 4.14 | 571–2,140 |
| Nov 3, 8:15 AM EST | 863 | 4.15 | 571–2,140 |
| Nov 3, 7:15 AM EST | 863 | 4.15 | 571–2,140 |
| Nov 3, 6:15 AM EST | 863 | 4.15 | 571–2,140 |
| Nov 3, 5:15 AM EST | 863 | 4.15 | 571–2,140 |
| Nov 3, 4:15 AM EST | 863 | 4.15 | 571–2,140 |
| Nov 3, 3:15 AM EST | 869 | 4.16 | 571–2,140 |
| Nov 3, 2:15 AM EST | 869 | 4.16 | 571–2,140 |
| Nov 3, 1:15 AM EST | 869 | 4.16 | 571–2,140 |
| Nov 3, 12:15 AM EST | 869 | 4.16 | 571–2,140 |
| Nov 2, 11:15 PM EST | 869 | 4.16 | 512–2,090 |
| Nov 2, 10:15 PM EST | 869 | 4.16 | 512–2,090 |
| Nov 2, 9:15 PM EST | 876 | 4.17 | 512–2,090 |
| Nov 2, 8:15 PM EST | 876 | 4.17 | 512–2,090 |
| Nov 2, 7:15 PM EST | 869 | 4.16 | 512–2,090 |
| Nov 2, 6:15 PM EST | 869 | 4.16 | 512–2,090 |
| Nov 2, 5:15 PM EST | 876 | 4.17 | 512–2,090 |
| Nov 2, 4:15 PM EST | 882 | 4.18 | 512–2,090 |
| Nov 2, 3:15 PM EST | 882 | 4.18 | 512–2,090 |
| Nov 2, 2:15 PM EST | 895 | 4.2 | 512–2,090 |
| Nov 2, 1:15 PM EST | 882 | 4.18 | 512–2,090 |
| Nov 2, 12:15 PM EST | 889 | 4.19 | 512–2,090 |
| Nov 2, 11:15 AM EST | 889 | 4.19 | 512–2,090 |
| Nov 2, 10:15 AM EST | 882 | 4.18 | 512–2,090 |
| Nov 2, 9:15 AM EST | 882 | 4.18 | 512–2,090 |
| Nov 2, 8:15 AM EST | 882 | 4.18 | 512–2,090 |
| Nov 2, 7:15 AM EST | 882 | 4.18 | 512–2,090 |
| Nov 2, 6:15 AM EST | 889 | 4.19 | 512–2,090 |
| Nov 2, 5:15 AM EST | 889 | 4.19 | 512–2,090 |
| Nov 2, 4:15 AM EST | 882 | 4.18 | 512–2,090 |
| Nov 2, 3:15 AM EST | 889 | 4.19 | 512–2,090 |
| Nov 2, 2:15 AM EST | 889 | 4.19 | 512–2,090 |
| Nov 2, 1:15 AM EST | 882 | 4.18 | 512–2,090 |
| Nov 2, 12:15 AM EST | 889 | 4.19 | 512–2,090 |
| Nov 1, 11:15 PM EST | 889 | 4.19 | 490–2,070 |
| Nov 1, 10:15 PM EST | 889 | 4.19 | 490–2,070 |
| Nov 1, 9:15 PM EST | 889 | 4.19 | 490–2,070 |
| Nov 1, 8:15 PM EST | 889 | 4.19 | 490–2,070 |
| Nov 1, 7:15 PM EST | 895 | 4.2 | 490–2,070 |
| Nov 1, 6:15 PM EST | 889 | 4.19 | 490–2,070 |
| Nov 1, 5:15 PM EST | 889 | 4.19 | 490–2,070 |
| Nov 1, 4:15 PM EST | 889 | 4.19 | 490–2,070 |
| Nov 1, 3:15 PM EST | 895 | 4.2 | 490–2,070 |
| Nov 1, 2:15 PM EST | 902 | 4.21 | 490–2,070 |
| Nov 1, 1:15 PM EST | 895 | 4.2 | 490–2,070 |
| Nov 1, 12:15 PM EST | 895 | 4.2 | 490–2,070 |
| Nov 1, 11:15 AM EST | 895 | 4.2 | 490–2,070 |
| Nov 1, 10:15 AM EST | 895 | 4.2 | 490–2,070 |
| Nov 1, 9:15 AM EST | 895 | 4.2 | 490–2,070 |
| Nov 1, 8:15 AM EST | 895 | 4.2 | 490–2,070 |
| Nov 1, 7:15 AM EST | 895 | 4.2 | 490–2,070 |
| Nov 1, 6:15 AM EST | 895 | 4.2 | 490–2,070 |
| Nov 1, 5:15 AM EST | 902 | 4.21 | 490–2,070 |
| Nov 1, 4:15 AM EST | 902 | 4.21 | 490–2,070 |
| Nov 1, 3:15 AM EST | 902 | 4.21 | 490–2,070 |
| Nov 1, 2:15 AM EST | 909 | 4.22 | 490–2,070 |
| Nov 1, 1:15 AM EST | 909 | 4.22 | 490–2,070 |
| Nov 1, 1:15 AM EDT | 909 | 4.22 | 490–2,070 |
| Nov 1, 12:15 AM EDT | 909 | 4.22 | 490–2,070 |
| Oct 31, 11:15 PM EDT | 916 | 4.23 | 510–2,060 |
| Oct 31, 10:15 PM EDT | 916 | 4.23 | 510–2,060 |
| Oct 31, 9:15 PM EDT | 916 | 4.23 | 510–2,060 |
| Oct 31, 8:15 PM EDT | 923 | 4.24 | 510–2,060 |
| Oct 31, 7:15 PM EDT | 916 | 4.23 | 510–2,060 |
| Oct 31, 6:15 PM EDT | 916 | 4.23 | 510–2,060 |
| Oct 31, 5:15 PM EDT | 916 | 4.23 | 510–2,060 |
| Oct 31, 4:15 PM EDT | 930 | 4.25 | 510–2,060 |
| Oct 31, 3:15 PM EDT | 930 | 4.25 | 510–2,060 |
| Oct 31, 2:15 PM EDT | 930 | 4.25 | 510–2,060 |
| Oct 31, 1:15 PM EDT | 923 | 4.24 | 510–2,060 |
| Oct 31, 12:15 PM EDT | 923 | 4.24 | 510–2,060 |
| Oct 31, 11:15 AM EDT | 923 | 4.24 | 510–2,060 |
| Oct 31, 10:15 AM EDT | 923 | 4.24 | 510–2,060 |
| Oct 31, 9:15 AM EDT | 923 | 4.24 | 510–2,060 |
| Oct 31, 8:15 AM EDT | 923 | 4.24 | 510–2,060 |
| Oct 31, 7:15 AM EDT | 930 | 4.25 | 510–2,060 |
| Oct 31, 6:15 AM EDT | 930 | 4.25 | 510–2,060 |
| Oct 31, 5:15 AM EDT | 937 | 4.26 | 510–2,060 |
| Oct 31, 4:15 AM EDT | 930 | 4.25 | 510–2,060 |
| Oct 31, 3:15 AM EDT | 930 | 4.25 | 510–2,060 |
| Oct 31, 2:15 AM EDT | 930 | 4.25 | 510–2,060 |
| Oct 31, 1:15 AM EDT | 937 | 4.26 | 510–2,060 |
| Oct 31, 12:15 AM EDT | 937 | 4.26 | 510–2,060 |
| Oct 30, 11:15 PM EDT | 944 | 4.27 | 516–2,150 |
| Oct 30, 10:15 PM EDT | 951 | 4.28 | 516–2,150 |
| Oct 30, 9:15 PM EDT | 944 | 4.27 | 516–2,150 |
| Oct 30, 8:15 PM EDT | 951 | 4.28 | 516–2,150 |
| Oct 30, 7:15 PM EDT | 951 | 4.28 | 516–2,150 |
| Oct 30, 6:15 PM EDT | 958 | 4.29 | 516–2,150 |
| Oct 30, 5:15 PM EDT | 965 | 4.3 | 516–2,150 |
| Oct 30, 4:15 PM EDT | 972 | 4.31 | 516–2,150 |
| Oct 30, 3:15 PM EDT | 986 | 4.33 | 516–2,150 |
| Oct 30, 2:15 PM EDT | 979 | 4.32 | 516–2,150 |
| Oct 30, 1:15 PM EDT | 979 | 4.32 | 516–2,150 |
| Oct 30, 12:15 PM EDT | 972 | 4.31 | 516–2,150 |
| Oct 30, 11:15 AM EDT | 965 | 4.3 | 516–2,150 |
| Oct 30, 10:15 AM EDT | 965 | 4.3 | 516–2,150 |
| Oct 30, 9:15 AM EDT | 972 | 4.31 | 516–2,150 |
| Oct 30, 8:15 AM EDT | 979 | 4.32 | 516–2,150 |
| Oct 30, 7:15 AM EDT | 972 | 4.31 | 516–2,150 |
| Oct 30, 6:15 AM EDT | 972 | 4.31 | 516–2,150 |
| Oct 30, 5:15 AM EDT | 972 | 4.31 | 516–2,150 |
| Oct 30, 4:15 AM EDT | 979 | 4.32 | 516–2,150 |
| Oct 30, 3:15 AM EDT | 979 | 4.32 | 516–2,150 |
| Oct 30, 2:15 AM EDT | 979 | 4.32 | 516–2,150 |
| Oct 30, 1:15 AM EDT | 986 | 4.33 | 516–2,150 |
| Oct 30, 12:15 AM EDT | 986 | 4.33 | 516–2,150 |
| Oct 29, 11:15 PM EDT | 986 | 4.33 | 499–1,750 |
| Oct 29, 10:15 PM EDT | 986 | 4.33 | 499–1,750 |
| Oct 29, 9:15 PM EDT | 986 | 4.33 | 499–1,750 |
Normal for Nov 5: 578–1,910 ft³/s (middle half of 88 years of record). Now: 843 ft³/s, normal.
Normal for this date. 843 ft³/s is between the 25th and 75th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 88 years of record (1939–2026): 10th 396, 25th 578, median 953, 75th 1,910, 90th 3,320 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 290 ft³/s, highest 113,000 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).
Steady over 24 hours (+0.8% discharge). 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.
Map of USGS gauge 01610000 and the river around it
Where POTOMAC RIVER AT PAW PAW, WV sits, with 1 other gauge on the same river.
No current water-temperature reading at this gauge, so no temperature guidance is given. Take a stream thermometer: the trout lines Maryland DNR uses are 65°F and 68°F.
Species list not on file for this gauge. Check the Maryland Department of Natural Resources: Maryland trout stocking · Maryland fishing regulations.
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)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 4.12 ft stage, 843 ft³/s at Nov 5, 8:15 PM EST (NWS gauge PAWW2; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
NWS river forecast forecast issued Nov 5, 9:59 AM EST. Highest point: 4.2 ft, 895 ft³/s on Nov 5, 7:00 PM EST (Below NWS action stage).
| Day | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 5 | 4.2 ft | 895 ft³/s |
| Fri, Nov 6 | 4.2 ft | 895 ft³/s |
| Sat, Nov 7 | 4.1 ft | 830 ft³/s |
| Sun, Nov 8 | 4.1 ft | 830 ft³/s |
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
USGS gauge page USGS statistics NWS gauge PAWW2
Checked Nov 5, 9:05 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.