POTOMAC RIVER AT HANCOCK, MD
USGS 01613000 · Maryland · reports discharge (live), gauge height
Reading POTOMAC RIVER AT HANCOCK, MD…
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USGS 01613000 · 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, 10:15 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, 11:15 PM EDT to Nov 5, 10:15 PM EST; ranging 906 to 1,070 ft³/s; latest 906 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, 10:15 PM EST | 906 | 3.19 | 679–2,420 |
| Nov 5, 9:15 PM EST | 906 | 3.19 | 679–2,420 |
| Nov 5, 8:15 PM EST | 906 | 3.19 | 679–2,420 |
| Nov 5, 7:15 PM EST | 906 | 3.19 | 679–2,420 |
| Nov 5, 6:15 PM EST | 906 | 3.19 | 679–2,420 |
| Nov 5, 5:15 PM EST | 906 | 3.19 | 679–2,420 |
| Nov 5, 4:15 PM EST | 906 | 3.19 | 679–2,420 |
| Nov 5, 3:15 PM EST | 906 | 3.19 | 679–2,420 |
| Nov 5, 2:15 PM EST | 906 | 3.19 | 679–2,420 |
| Nov 5, 1:15 PM EST | 906 | 3.19 | 679–2,420 |
| Nov 5, 12:15 PM EST | 906 | 3.19 | 679–2,420 |
| Nov 5, 11:15 AM EST | 906 | 3.19 | 679–2,420 |
| Nov 5, 10:15 AM EST | 906 | 3.19 | 679–2,420 |
| Nov 5, 9:15 AM EST | 906 | 3.19 | 679–2,420 |
| Nov 5, 8:15 AM EST | 906 | 3.19 | 679–2,420 |
| Nov 5, 7:15 AM EST | 906 | 3.19 | 679–2,420 |
| Nov 5, 6:15 AM EST | 906 | 3.19 | 679–2,420 |
| Nov 5, 5:15 AM EST | 906 | 3.19 | 679–2,420 |
| Nov 5, 4:15 AM EST | 906 | 3.19 | 679–2,420 |
| Nov 5, 3:15 AM EST | 906 | 3.19 | 679–2,420 |
| Nov 5, 2:15 AM EST | 906 | 3.19 | 679–2,420 |
| Nov 5, 1:15 AM EST | 906 | 3.19 | 679–2,420 |
| Nov 5, 12:15 AM EST | 906 | 3.19 | 679–2,420 |
| Nov 4, 11:15 PM EST | 906 | 3.19 | 654–2,390 |
| Nov 4, 10:15 PM EST | 906 | 3.19 | 654–2,390 |
| Nov 4, 9:15 PM EST | 906 | 3.19 | 654–2,390 |
| Nov 4, 8:15 PM EST | 906 | 3.19 | 654–2,390 |
| Nov 4, 7:15 PM EST | 906 | 3.19 | 654–2,390 |
| Nov 4, 6:15 PM EST | 906 | 3.19 | 654–2,390 |
| Nov 4, 5:15 PM EST | 915 | 3.2 | 654–2,390 |
| Nov 4, 4:15 PM EST | 915 | 3.2 | 654–2,390 |
| Nov 4, 3:15 PM EST | 915 | 3.2 | 654–2,390 |
| Nov 4, 2:15 PM EST | 915 | 3.2 | 654–2,390 |
| Nov 4, 1:15 PM EST | 915 | 3.2 | 654–2,390 |
| Nov 4, 12:15 PM EST | 906 | 3.19 | 654–2,390 |
| Nov 4, 11:15 AM EST | 906 | 3.19 | 654–2,390 |
| Nov 4, 10:15 AM EST | 915 | 3.2 | 654–2,390 |
| Nov 4, 9:15 AM EST | 915 | 3.2 | 654–2,390 |
| Nov 4, 8:15 AM EST | 915 | 3.2 | 654–2,390 |
| Nov 4, 7:15 AM EST | 915 | 3.2 | 654–2,390 |
| Nov 4, 6:15 AM EST | 915 | 3.2 | 654–2,390 |
| Nov 4, 5:15 AM EST | 915 | 3.2 | 654–2,390 |
| Nov 4, 4:15 AM EST | 925 | 3.21 | 654–2,390 |
| Nov 4, 3:15 AM EST | 925 | 3.21 | 654–2,390 |
| Nov 4, 2:15 AM EST | 925 | 3.21 | 654–2,390 |
| Nov 4, 1:15 AM EST | 925 | 3.21 | 654–2,390 |
| Nov 4, 12:15 AM EST | 925 | 3.21 | 654–2,390 |
| Nov 3, 11:15 PM EST | 925 | 3.21 | 637–2,500 |
| Nov 3, 10:15 PM EST | 925 | 3.21 | 637–2,500 |
| Nov 3, 9:15 PM EST | 925 | 3.21 | 637–2,500 |
| Nov 3, 8:15 PM EST | 925 | 3.21 | 637–2,500 |
| Nov 3, 7:15 PM EST | 925 | 3.21 | 637–2,500 |
| Nov 3, 6:15 PM EST | 925 | 3.21 | 637–2,500 |
| Nov 3, 5:15 PM EST | 925 | 3.21 | 637–2,500 |
| Nov 3, 4:15 PM EST | 934 | 3.22 | 637–2,500 |
| Nov 3, 3:15 PM EST | 925 | 3.21 | 637–2,500 |
| Nov 3, 2:15 PM EST | 925 | 3.21 | 637–2,500 |
| Nov 3, 1:15 PM EST | 925 | 3.21 | 637–2,500 |
| Nov 3, 12:15 PM EST | 925 | 3.21 | 637–2,500 |
| Nov 3, 11:15 AM EST | 925 | 3.21 | 637–2,500 |
| Nov 3, 10:15 AM EST | 934 | 3.22 | 637–2,500 |
| Nov 3, 9:15 AM EST | 934 | 3.22 | 637–2,500 |
| Nov 3, 8:15 AM EST | 934 | 3.22 | 637–2,500 |
| Nov 3, 7:15 AM EST | 934 | 3.22 | 637–2,500 |
| Nov 3, 6:15 AM EST | 934 | 3.22 | 637–2,500 |
| Nov 3, 5:15 AM EST | 934 | 3.22 | 637–2,500 |
| Nov 3, 4:15 AM EST | 934 | 3.22 | 637–2,500 |
| Nov 3, 3:15 AM EST | 944 | 3.23 | 637–2,500 |
| Nov 3, 2:15 AM EST | 944 | 3.23 | 637–2,500 |
| Nov 3, 1:15 AM EST | 944 | 3.23 | 637–2,500 |
| Nov 3, 12:15 AM EST | 944 | 3.23 | 637–2,500 |
| Nov 2, 11:15 PM EST | 944 | 3.23 | 605–2,440 |
| Nov 2, 10:15 PM EST | 944 | 3.23 | 605–2,440 |
| Nov 2, 9:15 PM EST | 944 | 3.23 | 605–2,440 |
| Nov 2, 8:15 PM EST | 944 | 3.23 | 605–2,440 |
| Nov 2, 7:15 PM EST | 944 | 3.23 | 605–2,440 |
| Nov 2, 6:15 PM EST | 944 | 3.23 | 605–2,440 |
| Nov 2, 5:15 PM EST | 944 | 3.23 | 605–2,440 |
| Nov 2, 4:15 PM EST | 944 | 3.23 | 605–2,440 |
| Nov 2, 3:15 PM EST | 944 | 3.23 | 605–2,440 |
| Nov 2, 2:15 PM EST | 944 | 3.23 | 605–2,440 |
| Nov 2, 1:15 PM EST | 944 | 3.23 | 605–2,440 |
| Nov 2, 12:15 PM EST | 944 | 3.23 | 605–2,440 |
| Nov 2, 11:15 AM EST | 944 | 3.23 | 605–2,440 |
| Nov 2, 10:15 AM EST | 944 | 3.23 | 605–2,440 |
| Nov 2, 9:15 AM EST | 944 | 3.23 | 605–2,440 |
| Nov 2, 8:15 AM EST | 954 | 3.24 | 605–2,440 |
| Nov 2, 7:15 AM EST | 954 | 3.24 | 605–2,440 |
| Nov 2, 6:15 AM EST | 954 | 3.24 | 605–2,440 |
| Nov 2, 5:15 AM EST | 954 | 3.24 | 605–2,440 |
| Nov 2, 4:15 AM EST | 954 | 3.24 | 605–2,440 |
| Nov 2, 3:15 AM EST | 963 | 3.25 | 605–2,440 |
| Nov 2, 2:15 AM EST | 963 | 3.25 | 605–2,440 |
| Nov 2, 1:15 AM EST | 963 | 3.25 | 605–2,440 |
| Nov 2, 12:15 AM EST | 963 | 3.25 | 605–2,440 |
| Nov 1, 11:15 PM EST | 963 | 3.25 | 625–2,450 |
| Nov 1, 10:15 PM EST | 963 | 3.25 | 625–2,450 |
| Nov 1, 9:15 PM EST | 963 | 3.25 | 625–2,450 |
| Nov 1, 8:15 PM EST | 973 | 3.26 | 625–2,450 |
| Nov 1, 7:15 PM EST | 973 | 3.26 | 625–2,450 |
| Nov 1, 6:15 PM EST | 973 | 3.26 | 625–2,450 |
| Nov 1, 5:15 PM EST | 973 | 3.26 | 625–2,450 |
| Nov 1, 4:15 PM EST | 973 | 3.26 | 625–2,450 |
| Nov 1, 3:15 PM EST | 973 | 3.26 | 625–2,450 |
| Nov 1, 2:15 PM EST | 973 | 3.26 | 625–2,450 |
| Nov 1, 1:15 PM EST | 973 | 3.26 | 625–2,450 |
| Nov 1, 12:15 PM EST | 973 | 3.26 | 625–2,450 |
| Nov 1, 11:15 AM EST | 973 | 3.26 | 625–2,450 |
| Nov 1, 10:15 AM EST | 973 | 3.26 | 625–2,450 |
| Nov 1, 9:15 AM EST | 973 | 3.26 | 625–2,450 |
| Nov 1, 8:15 AM EST | 983 | 3.27 | 625–2,450 |
| Nov 1, 7:15 AM EST | 983 | 3.27 | 625–2,450 |
| Nov 1, 6:15 AM EST | 983 | 3.27 | 625–2,450 |
| Nov 1, 5:15 AM EST | 983 | 3.27 | 625–2,450 |
| Nov 1, 4:15 AM EST | 983 | 3.27 | 625–2,450 |
| Nov 1, 3:15 AM EST | 983 | 3.27 | 625–2,450 |
| Nov 1, 2:15 AM EST | 993 | 3.28 | 625–2,450 |
| Nov 1, 1:15 AM EST | 993 | 3.28 | 625–2,450 |
| Nov 1, 1:15 AM EDT | 993 | 3.28 | 625–2,450 |
| Nov 1, 12:15 AM EDT | 993 | 3.28 | 625–2,450 |
| Oct 31, 11:15 PM EDT | 1,000 | 3.29 | 621–2,560 |
| Oct 31, 10:15 PM EDT | 1,000 | 3.29 | 621–2,560 |
| Oct 31, 9:15 PM EDT | 1,000 | 3.29 | 621–2,560 |
| Oct 31, 8:15 PM EDT | 1,010 | 3.3 | 621–2,560 |
| Oct 31, 7:15 PM EDT | 1,010 | 3.3 | 621–2,560 |
| Oct 31, 6:15 PM EDT | 1,010 | 3.3 | 621–2,560 |
| Oct 31, 5:15 PM EDT | 1,010 | 3.3 | 621–2,560 |
| Oct 31, 4:15 PM EDT | 1,010 | 3.3 | 621–2,560 |
| Oct 31, 3:15 PM EDT | 1,020 | 3.31 | 621–2,560 |
| Oct 31, 2:15 PM EDT | 1,020 | 3.31 | 621–2,560 |
| Oct 31, 1:15 PM EDT | 1,020 | 3.31 | 621–2,560 |
| Oct 31, 12:15 PM EDT | 1,020 | 3.31 | 621–2,560 |
| Oct 31, 11:15 AM EDT | 1,020 | 3.31 | 621–2,560 |
| Oct 31, 10:15 AM EDT | 1,030 | 3.32 | 621–2,560 |
| Oct 31, 9:15 AM EDT | 1,030 | 3.32 | 621–2,560 |
| Oct 31, 8:15 AM EDT | 1,030 | 3.32 | 621–2,560 |
| Oct 31, 7:15 AM EDT | 1,030 | 3.32 | 621–2,560 |
| Oct 31, 6:15 AM EDT | 1,030 | 3.32 | 621–2,560 |
| Oct 31, 5:15 AM EDT | 1,030 | 3.32 | 621–2,560 |
| Oct 31, 4:15 AM EDT | 1,030 | 3.32 | 621–2,560 |
| Oct 31, 3:15 AM EDT | 1,030 | 3.32 | 621–2,560 |
| Oct 31, 2:15 AM EDT | 1,030 | 3.32 | 621–2,560 |
| Oct 31, 1:15 AM EDT | 1,030 | 3.32 | 621–2,560 |
| Oct 31, 12:15 AM EDT | 1,030 | 3.32 | 621–2,560 |
| Oct 30, 11:15 PM EDT | 1,040 | 3.33 | 605–2,170 |
| Oct 30, 10:15 PM EDT | 1,040 | 3.33 | 605–2,170 |
| Oct 30, 9:15 PM EDT | 1,040 | 3.33 | 605–2,170 |
| Oct 30, 8:15 PM EDT | 1,040 | 3.33 | 605–2,170 |
| Oct 30, 7:15 PM EDT | 1,050 | 3.34 | 605–2,170 |
| Oct 30, 6:15 PM EDT | 1,050 | 3.34 | 605–2,170 |
| Oct 30, 5:15 PM EDT | 1,050 | 3.34 | 605–2,170 |
| Oct 30, 4:15 PM EDT | 1,050 | 3.34 | 605–2,170 |
| Oct 30, 3:15 PM EDT | 1,050 | 3.34 | 605–2,170 |
| Oct 30, 2:15 PM EDT | 1,050 | 3.34 | 605–2,170 |
| Oct 30, 1:15 PM EDT | 1,050 | 3.34 | 605–2,170 |
| Oct 30, 12:15 PM EDT | 1,050 | 3.34 | 605–2,170 |
| Oct 30, 11:15 AM EDT | 1,060 | 3.35 | 605–2,170 |
| Oct 30, 10:15 AM EDT | 1,060 | 3.35 | 605–2,170 |
| Oct 30, 9:15 AM EDT | 1,070 | 3.36 | 605–2,170 |
| Oct 30, 8:15 AM EDT | 1,070 | 3.36 | 605–2,170 |
| Oct 30, 7:15 AM EDT | 1,070 | 3.36 | 605–2,170 |
| Oct 30, 6:15 AM EDT | 1,070 | 3.36 | 605–2,170 |
| Oct 30, 5:15 AM EDT | 1,070 | 3.36 | 605–2,170 |
| Oct 30, 4:15 AM EDT | 1,070 | 3.36 | 605–2,170 |
| Oct 30, 3:15 AM EDT | 1,070 | 3.36 | 605–2,170 |
| Oct 30, 2:15 AM EDT | 1,070 | 3.36 | 605–2,170 |
| Oct 30, 1:15 AM EDT | 1,070 | 3.36 | 605–2,170 |
| Oct 30, 12:15 AM EDT | 1,070 | 3.36 | 605–2,170 |
| Oct 29, 11:15 PM EDT | 1,070 | 3.36 | 603–1,890 |
Map of USGS gauge 01613000 and the river around it
Where POTOMAC RIVER AT HANCOCK, MD sits, with 2 other gauges 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 · .
Normal for Nov 5: 679–2,420 ft³/s (middle half of 94 years of record). Now: 906 ft³/s, normal.
Normal for this date. 906 ft³/s is between the 25th and 75th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 94 years of record (1933–2026): 10th 502, 25th 679, median 1,120, 75th 2,420, 90th 4,000 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 368 ft³/s, highest 84,200 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% 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.
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 3.19 ft stage, 905 ft³/s at Nov 5, 10:15 PM EST (NWS gauge HNKM2; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
NWS river forecast forecast issued Nov 5, 9:59 AM EST. Highest point: 3.2 ft, 915 ft³/s on Nov 5, 1:00 PM EST (Below NWS action stage).
| Day | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 5 | 3.2 ft | 915 ft³/s |
| Fri, Nov 6 | 3.2 ft | 915 ft³/s |
| Sat, Nov 7 | 3.2 ft | 915 ft³/s |
| Sun, Nov 8 | 3.2 ft | 915 ft³/s |
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
Checked Nov 5, 11:09 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.