POTOMAC RIVER AT SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV
USGS 01618000 · West Virginia · reports discharge (live), gauge height
Reading POTOMAC RIVER AT SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV…
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USGS 01618000 · West Virginia · 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, 9:30 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, 10:30 PM EDT to Nov 5, 9:30 PM EST; ranging 1,140 to 2,020 ft³/s; latest 1,380 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, 9:30 PM EST | 1,380 | 2.07 | 1,040–3,740 |
| Nov 5, 8:30 PM EST | 1,450 | 2.11 | 1,040–3,740 |
| Nov 5, 7:30 PM EST | 1,470 | 2.12 | 1,040–3,740 |
| Nov 5, 6:30 PM EST | 1,490 | 2.13 | 1,040–3,740 |
| Nov 5, 5:30 PM EST | 1,540 | 2.16 | 1,040–3,740 |
| Nov 5, 4:30 PM EST | 1,650 | 2.22 | 1,040–3,740 |
| Nov 5, 3:30 PM EST | 1,760 | 2.28 | 1,040–3,740 |
| Nov 5, 2:30 PM EST | 1,860 | 2.33 | 1,040–3,740 |
| Nov 5, 1:30 PM EST | 1,860 | 2.33 | 1,040–3,740 |
| Nov 5, 12:30 PM EST | 1,780 | 2.29 | 1,040–3,740 |
| Nov 5, 11:30 AM EST | 1,630 | 2.21 | 1,040–3,740 |
| Nov 5, 10:30 AM EST | 1,430 | 2.1 | 1,040–3,740 |
| Nov 5, 9:30 AM EST | 1,290 | 2.02 | 1,040–3,740 |
| Nov 5, 8:30 AM EST | 1,240 | 1.99 | 1,040–3,740 |
| Nov 5, 7:30 AM EST | 1,240 | 1.99 | 1,040–3,740 |
| Nov 5, 6:30 AM EST | 1,230 | 1.98 | 1,040–3,740 |
| Nov 5, 5:30 AM EST | 1,210 | 1.97 | 1,040–3,740 |
| Nov 5, 4:30 AM EST | 1,190 | 1.96 | 1,040–3,740 |
| Nov 5, 3:30 AM EST | 1,180 | 1.95 | 1,040–3,740 |
| Nov 5, 2:30 AM EST | 1,140 | 1.93 | 1,040–3,740 |
| Nov 5, 1:30 AM EST | 1,140 | 1.93 | 1,040–3,740 |
| Nov 5, 12:30 AM EST | 1,140 | 1.93 | 1,040–3,740 |
| Nov 4, 11:30 PM EST | 1,190 | 1.96 | 971–3,920 |
| Nov 4, 10:30 PM EST | 1,280 | 2.01 | 971–3,920 |
| Nov 4, 9:30 PM EST | 1,400 | 2.08 | 971–3,920 |
| Nov 4, 8:30 PM EST | 1,520 | 2.15 | 971–3,920 |
| Nov 4, 7:30 PM EST | 1,610 | 2.2 | 971–3,920 |
| Nov 4, 6:30 PM EST | 1,670 | 2.23 | 971–3,920 |
| Nov 4, 5:30 PM EST | 1,690 | 2.24 | 971–3,920 |
| Nov 4, 4:30 PM EST | 1,730 | 2.26 | 971–3,920 |
| Nov 4, 3:30 PM EST | 1,800 | 2.3 | 971–3,920 |
| Nov 4, 2:30 PM EST | 1,840 | 2.32 | 971–3,920 |
| Nov 4, 1:30 PM EST | 1,840 | 2.32 | 971–3,920 |
| Nov 4, 12:30 PM EST | 1,780 | 2.29 | 971–3,920 |
| Nov 4, 11:30 AM EST | 1,650 | 2.22 | 971–3,920 |
| Nov 4, 10:30 AM EST | 1,470 | 2.12 | 971–3,920 |
| Nov 4, 9:30 AM EST | 1,310 | 2.03 | 971–3,920 |
| Nov 4, 8:30 AM EST | 1,240 | 1.99 | 971–3,920 |
| Nov 4, 7:30 AM EST | 1,230 | 1.98 | 971–3,920 |
| Nov 4, 6:30 AM EST | 1,230 | 1.98 | 971–3,920 |
| Nov 4, 5:30 AM EST | 1,210 | 1.97 | 971–3,920 |
| Nov 4, 4:30 AM EST | 1,190 | 1.96 | 971–3,920 |
| Nov 4, 3:30 AM EST | 1,180 | 1.95 | 971–3,920 |
| Nov 4, 2:30 AM EST | 1,140 | 1.93 | 971–3,920 |
| Nov 4, 1:30 AM EST | 1,140 | 1.93 | 971–3,920 |
| Nov 4, 12:30 AM EST | 1,140 | 1.93 | 971–3,920 |
| Nov 3, 11:30 PM EST | 1,190 | 1.96 | 955–4,000 |
| Nov 3, 10:30 PM EST | 1,290 | 2.02 | 955–4,000 |
| Nov 3, 9:30 PM EST | 1,420 | 2.09 | 955–4,000 |
| Nov 3, 8:30 PM EST | 1,560 | 2.17 | 955–4,000 |
| Nov 3, 7:30 PM EST | 1,650 | 2.22 | 955–4,000 |
| Nov 3, 6:30 PM EST | 1,710 | 2.25 | 955–4,000 |
| Nov 3, 5:30 PM EST | 1,740 | 2.27 | 955–4,000 |
| Nov 3, 4:30 PM EST | 1,780 | 2.29 | 955–4,000 |
| Nov 3, 3:30 PM EST | 1,820 | 2.31 | 955–4,000 |
| Nov 3, 2:30 PM EST | 1,860 | 2.33 | 955–4,000 |
| Nov 3, 1:30 PM EST | 1,860 | 2.33 | 955–4,000 |
| Nov 3, 12:30 PM EST | 1,800 | 2.3 | 955–4,000 |
| Nov 3, 11:30 AM EST | 1,670 | 2.23 | 955–4,000 |
| Nov 3, 10:30 AM EST | 1,490 | 2.13 | 955–4,000 |
| Nov 3, 9:30 AM EST | 1,330 | 2.04 | 955–4,000 |
| Nov 3, 8:30 AM EST | 1,280 | 2.01 | 955–4,000 |
| Nov 3, 7:30 AM EST | 1,260 | 2 | 955–4,000 |
| Nov 3, 6:30 AM EST | 1,240 | 1.99 | 955–4,000 |
| Nov 3, 5:30 AM EST | 1,240 | 1.99 | 955–4,000 |
| Nov 3, 4:30 AM EST | 1,230 | 1.98 | 955–4,000 |
| Nov 3, 3:30 AM EST | 1,210 | 1.97 | 955–4,000 |
| Nov 3, 2:30 AM EST | 1,180 | 1.95 | 955–4,000 |
| Nov 3, 1:30 AM EST | 1,180 | 1.95 | 955–4,000 |
| Nov 3, 12:30 AM EST | 1,190 | 1.96 | 955–4,000 |
| Nov 2, 11:30 PM EST | 1,240 | 1.99 | 962–3,890 |
| Nov 2, 10:30 PM EST | 1,330 | 2.04 | 962–3,890 |
| Nov 2, 9:30 PM EST | 1,490 | 2.13 | 962–3,890 |
| Nov 2, 8:30 PM EST | 1,630 | 2.21 | 962–3,890 |
| Nov 2, 7:30 PM EST | 1,760 | 2.28 | 962–3,890 |
| Nov 2, 6:30 PM EST | 1,820 | 2.31 | 962–3,890 |
| Nov 2, 5:30 PM EST | 1,880 | 2.34 | 962–3,890 |
| Nov 2, 4:30 PM EST | 1,920 | 2.36 | 962–3,890 |
| Nov 2, 3:30 PM EST | 1,940 | 2.37 | 962–3,890 |
| Nov 2, 2:30 PM EST | 1,940 | 2.37 | 962–3,890 |
| Nov 2, 1:30 PM EST | 1,880 | 2.34 | 962–3,890 |
| Nov 2, 12:30 PM EST | 1,760 | 2.28 | 962–3,890 |
| Nov 2, 11:30 AM EST | 1,600 | 2.19 | 962–3,890 |
| Nov 2, 10:30 AM EST | 1,450 | 2.11 | 962–3,890 |
| Nov 2, 9:30 AM EST | 1,400 | 2.08 | 962–3,890 |
| Nov 2, 8:30 AM EST | 1,400 | 2.08 | 962–3,890 |
| Nov 2, 7:30 AM EST | 1,420 | 2.09 | 962–3,890 |
| Nov 2, 6:30 AM EST | 1,430 | 2.1 | 962–3,890 |
| Nov 2, 5:30 AM EST | 1,450 | 2.11 | 962–3,890 |
| Nov 2, 4:30 AM EST | 1,470 | 2.12 | 962–3,890 |
| Nov 2, 3:30 AM EST | 1,490 | 2.13 | 962–3,890 |
| Nov 2, 2:30 AM EST | 1,500 | 2.14 | 962–3,890 |
| Nov 2, 1:30 AM EST | 1,500 | 2.14 | 962–3,890 |
| Nov 2, 12:30 AM EST | 1,500 | 2.14 | 962–3,890 |
| Nov 1, 11:30 PM EST | 1,500 | 2.14 | 965–3,760 |
| Nov 1, 10:30 PM EST | 1,520 | 2.15 | 965–3,760 |
| Nov 1, 9:30 PM EST | 1,540 | 2.16 | 965–3,760 |
| Nov 1, 8:30 PM EST | 1,560 | 2.17 | 965–3,760 |
| Nov 1, 7:30 PM EST | 1,610 | 2.2 | 965–3,760 |
| Nov 1, 6:30 PM EST | 1,630 | 2.21 | 965–3,760 |
| Nov 1, 5:30 PM EST | 1,630 | 2.21 | 965–3,760 |
| Nov 1, 4:30 PM EST | 1,630 | 2.21 | 965–3,760 |
| Nov 1, 3:30 PM EST | 1,630 | 2.21 | 965–3,760 |
| Nov 1, 2:30 PM EST | 1,610 | 2.2 | 965–3,760 |
| Nov 1, 1:30 PM EST | 1,610 | 2.2 | 965–3,760 |
| Nov 1, 12:30 PM EST | 1,580 | 2.18 | 965–3,760 |
| Nov 1, 11:30 AM EST | 1,540 | 2.16 | 965–3,760 |
| Nov 1, 10:30 AM EST | 1,490 | 2.13 | 965–3,760 |
| Nov 1, 9:30 AM EST | 1,450 | 2.11 | 965–3,760 |
| Nov 1, 8:30 AM EST | 1,430 | 2.1 | 965–3,760 |
| Nov 1, 7:30 AM EST | 1,450 | 2.11 | 965–3,760 |
| Nov 1, 6:30 AM EST | 1,470 | 2.12 | 965–3,760 |
| Nov 1, 5:30 AM EST | 1,490 | 2.13 | 965–3,760 |
| Nov 1, 4:30 AM EST | 1,500 | 2.14 | 965–3,760 |
| Nov 1, 3:30 AM EST | 1,520 | 2.15 | 965–3,760 |
| Nov 1, 2:30 AM EST | 1,540 | 2.16 | 965–3,760 |
| Nov 1, 1:30 AM EST | 1,540 | 2.16 | 965–3,760 |
| Nov 1, 1:30 AM EDT | 1,560 | 2.17 | 965–3,760 |
| Nov 1, 12:30 AM EDT | 1,560 | 2.17 | 965–3,760 |
| Oct 31, 11:30 PM EDT | 1,560 | 2.17 | 933–3,060 |
| Oct 31, 10:30 PM EDT | 1,560 | 2.17 | 933–3,060 |
| Oct 31, 9:30 PM EDT | 1,580 | 2.18 | 933–3,060 |
| Oct 31, 8:30 PM EDT | 1,610 | 2.2 | 933–3,060 |
| Oct 31, 7:30 PM EDT | 1,670 | 2.23 | 933–3,060 |
| Oct 31, 6:30 PM EDT | 1,690 | 2.24 | 933–3,060 |
| Oct 31, 5:30 PM EDT | 1,670 | 2.23 | 933–3,060 |
| Oct 31, 4:30 PM EDT | 1,670 | 2.23 | 933–3,060 |
| Oct 31, 3:30 PM EDT | 1,650 | 2.22 | 933–3,060 |
| Oct 31, 2:30 PM EDT | 1,650 | 2.22 | 933–3,060 |
| Oct 31, 1:30 PM EDT | 1,650 | 2.22 | 933–3,060 |
| Oct 31, 12:30 PM EDT | 1,630 | 2.21 | 933–3,060 |
| Oct 31, 11:30 AM EDT | 1,600 | 2.19 | 933–3,060 |
| Oct 31, 10:30 AM EDT | 1,520 | 2.15 | 933–3,060 |
| Oct 31, 9:30 AM EDT | 1,470 | 2.12 | 933–3,060 |
| Oct 31, 8:30 AM EDT | 1,430 | 2.1 | 933–3,060 |
| Oct 31, 7:30 AM EDT | 1,430 | 2.1 | 933–3,060 |
| Oct 31, 6:30 AM EDT | 1,430 | 2.1 | 933–3,060 |
| Oct 31, 5:30 AM EDT | 1,450 | 2.11 | 933–3,060 |
| Oct 31, 4:30 AM EDT | 1,430 | 2.1 | 933–3,060 |
| Oct 31, 3:30 AM EDT | 1,430 | 2.1 | 933–3,060 |
| Oct 31, 2:30 AM EDT | 1,420 | 2.09 | 933–3,060 |
| Oct 31, 1:30 AM EDT | 1,400 | 2.08 | 933–3,060 |
| Oct 31, 12:30 AM EDT | 1,400 | 2.08 | 933–3,060 |
| Oct 30, 11:30 PM EDT | 1,400 | 2.08 | 932–2,870 |
| Oct 30, 10:30 PM EDT | 1,450 | 2.11 | 932–2,870 |
| Oct 30, 9:30 PM EDT | 1,540 | 2.16 | 932–2,870 |
| Oct 30, 8:30 PM EDT | 1,670 | 2.23 | 932–2,870 |
| Oct 30, 7:30 PM EDT | 1,760 | 2.28 | 932–2,870 |
| Oct 30, 6:30 PM EDT | 1,820 | 2.31 | 932–2,870 |
| Oct 30, 5:30 PM EDT | 1,860 | 2.33 | 932–2,870 |
| Oct 30, 4:30 PM EDT | 1,880 | 2.34 | 932–2,870 |
| Oct 30, 3:30 PM EDT | 1,940 | 2.37 | 932–2,870 |
| Oct 30, 2:30 PM EDT | 2,020 | 2.41 | 932–2,870 |
| Oct 30, 1:30 PM EDT | 2,000 | 2.4 | 932–2,870 |
| Oct 30, 12:30 PM EDT | 1,900 | 2.35 | 932–2,870 |
| Oct 30, 11:30 AM EDT | 1,730 | 2.26 | 932–2,870 |
| Oct 30, 10:30 AM EDT | 1,560 | 2.17 | 932–2,870 |
| Oct 30, 9:30 AM EDT | 1,520 | 2.15 | 932–2,870 |
| Oct 30, 8:30 AM EDT | 1,520 | 2.15 | 932–2,870 |
| Oct 30, 7:30 AM EDT | 1,520 | 2.15 | 932–2,870 |
| Oct 30, 6:30 AM EDT | 1,540 | 2.16 | 932–2,870 |
| Oct 30, 5:30 AM EDT | 1,540 | 2.16 | 932–2,870 |
| Oct 30, 4:30 AM EDT | 1,540 | 2.16 | 932–2,870 |
| Oct 30, 3:30 AM EDT | 1,520 | 2.15 | 932–2,870 |
| Oct 30, 2:30 AM EDT | 1,500 | 2.14 | 932–2,870 |
| Oct 30, 1:30 AM EDT | 1,490 | 2.13 | 932–2,870 |
| Oct 30, 12:30 AM EDT | 1,490 | 2.13 | 932–2,870 |
| Oct 29, 11:30 PM EDT | 1,500 | 2.14 | 947–3,010 |
| Oct 29, 10:30 PM EDT | 1,580 | 2.18 | 947–3,010 |
Map of USGS gauge 01618000 and the river around it
Where POTOMAC RIVER AT SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV sits, with 5 other gauges on the same river.
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.
Normal for Nov 5: 1,040–3,740 ft³/s (middle half of 80 years of record). Now: 1,380 ft³/s, normal.
Normal for this date. 1,380 ft³/s is between the 25th and 75th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 80 years of record (1929–2026): 10th 760, 25th 1,040, median 1,500, 75th 3,740, 90th 7,490 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 343 ft³/s, highest 52,900 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 (−1.4% 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.
Species list not on file for this gauge. Check the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources: West Virginia fish stocking schedule · West Virginia 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 2.11 ft stage, 1,450 ft³/s at Nov 5, 8:30 PM EST (NWS gauge SHEW2; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
NWS river forecast forecast issued Nov 5, 9:59 AM EST. Highest point: 2 ft, 1,260 ft³/s on Nov 5, 1:00 PM EST (Below NWS action stage).
| Day | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 5 | 2 ft | 1,260 ft³/s |
| Fri, Nov 6 | 2 ft | 1,260 ft³/s |
| Sat, Nov 7 | 2 ft | 1,260 ft³/s |
| Sun, Nov 8 | 2 ft | 1,260 ft³/s |
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
Checked Nov 5, 9:52 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.