JAMES RIVER AT BUCHANAN, VA
USGS 02019500 · Virginia · reports discharge (live), gauge height
USGS 02019500 · 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, 8:00 PM EST · provisional USGS data
Below normal for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h
Discharge, last 7 days: 169 readings from Oct 29, 9:15 PM EDT to Nov 5, 8:00 PM EST; ranging 457 to 528 ft³/s; latest 486 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, 8:00 PM EST | 486 | 2.14 | 524–1,260 |
| Nov 5, 7:00 PM EST | 486 | 2.14 | 524–1,260 |
| Nov 5, 6:00 PM EST | 486 | 2.14 | 524–1,260 |
| Nov 5, 5:00 PM EST | 486 | 2.14 | 524–1,260 |
| Nov 5, 4:00 PM EST | 486 | 2.14 | 524–1,260 |
| Nov 5, 3:00 PM EST | 486 | 2.14 | 524–1,260 |
| Nov 5, 2:00 PM EST | 480 | 2.13 | 524–1,260 |
| Nov 5, 1:00 PM EST | 480 | 2.13 | 524–1,260 |
| Nov 5, 12:00 PM EST | 480 | 2.13 | 524–1,260 |
| Nov 5, 11:00 AM EST | 480 | 2.13 | 524–1,260 |
| Nov 5, 10:00 AM EST | 480 | 2.13 | 524–1,260 |
| Nov 5, 9:00 AM EST | 480 | 2.13 | 524–1,260 |
| Nov 5, 8:00 AM EST | 474 | 2.12 | 524–1,260 |
| Nov 5, 7:00 AM EST | 474 | 2.12 | 524–1,260 |
| Nov 5, 6:00 AM EST | 474 | 2.12 | 524–1,260 |
| Nov 5, 5:00 AM EST | 474 | 2.12 | 524–1,260 |
| Nov 5, 4:00 AM EST | 474 | 2.12 | 524–1,260 |
| Nov 5, 3:00 AM EST | 468 | 2.11 | 524–1,260 |
| Nov 5, 2:00 AM EST | 462 | 2.1 | 524–1,260 |
| Nov 5, 1:00 AM EST | 462 | 2.1 | 524–1,260 |
| Nov 5, 12:00 AM EST | 468 | 2.11 | 524–1,260 |
| Nov 4, 11:00 PM EST | 462 | 2.1 | 532–1,230 |
| Nov 4, 10:00 PM EST | 462 | 2.1 | 532–1,230 |
| Nov 4, 9:00 PM EST | 462 | 2.1 | 532–1,230 |
| Nov 4, 8:00 PM EST | 462 | 2.1 | 532–1,230 |
| Nov 4, 7:00 PM EST | 462 | 2.1 | 532–1,230 |
| Nov 4, 6:00 PM EST | 462 | 2.1 | 532–1,230 |
| Nov 4, 5:00 PM EST | 457 | 2.09 | 532–1,230 |
| Nov 4, 4:00 PM EST | 457 | 2.09 | 532–1,230 |
| Nov 4, 3:00 PM EST | 457 | 2.09 | 532–1,230 |
| Nov 4, 2:00 PM EST | 462 | 2.1 | 532–1,230 |
| Nov 4, 1:00 PM EST | 462 | 2.1 | 532–1,230 |
| Nov 4, 12:00 PM EST | 462 | 2.1 | 532–1,230 |
| Nov 4, 11:00 AM EST | 468 | 2.11 | 532–1,230 |
| Nov 4, 10:00 AM EST | 468 | 2.11 | 532–1,230 |
| Nov 4, 9:00 AM EST | 468 | 2.11 | 532–1,230 |
| Nov 4, 8:00 AM EST | 468 | 2.11 | 532–1,230 |
| Nov 4, 7:00 AM EST | 462 | 2.1 | 532–1,230 |
| Nov 4, 6:00 AM EST | 462 | 2.1 | 532–1,230 |
| Nov 4, 5:00 AM EST | 462 | 2.1 | 532–1,230 |
| Nov 4, 4:00 AM EST | 457 | 2.09 | 532–1,230 |
| Nov 4, 3:00 AM EST | 457 | 2.09 | 532–1,230 |
| Nov 4, 2:00 AM EST | 457 | 2.09 | 532–1,230 |
| Nov 4, 1:00 AM EST | 457 | 2.09 | 532–1,230 |
| Nov 4, 12:00 AM EST | 457 | 2.09 | 532–1,230 |
| Nov 3, 11:00 PM EST | 457 | 2.09 | 556–1,290 |
| Nov 3, 10:00 PM EST | 462 | 2.1 | 556–1,290 |
| Nov 3, 9:00 PM EST | 462 | 2.1 | 556–1,290 |
| Nov 3, 8:00 PM EST | 462 | 2.1 | 556–1,290 |
| Nov 3, 7:00 PM EST | 462 | 2.1 | 556–1,290 |
| Nov 3, 6:00 PM EST | 462 | 2.1 | 556–1,290 |
| Nov 3, 5:00 PM EST | 462 | 2.1 | 556–1,290 |
| Nov 3, 4:00 PM EST | 462 | 2.1 | 556–1,290 |
| Nov 3, 3:00 PM EST | 462 | 2.1 | 556–1,290 |
| Nov 3, 2:00 PM EST | 462 | 2.1 | 556–1,290 |
| Nov 3, 1:00 PM EST | 462 | 2.1 | 556–1,290 |
| Nov 3, 12:00 PM EST | 462 | 2.1 | 556–1,290 |
| Nov 3, 11:00 AM EST | 468 | 2.11 | 556–1,290 |
| Nov 3, 10:00 AM EST | 468 | 2.11 | 556–1,290 |
| Nov 3, 9:00 AM EST | 474 | 2.12 | 556–1,290 |
| Nov 3, 8:00 AM EST | 474 | 2.12 | 556–1,290 |
| Nov 3, 7:00 AM EST | 480 | 2.13 | 556–1,290 |
| Nov 3, 6:00 AM EST | 480 | 2.13 | 556–1,290 |
| Nov 3, 5:00 AM EST | 486 | 2.14 | 556–1,290 |
| Nov 3, 4:00 AM EST | 486 | 2.14 | 556–1,290 |
| Nov 3, 3:00 AM EST | 486 | 2.14 | 556–1,290 |
| Nov 3, 2:00 AM EST | 486 | 2.14 | 556–1,290 |
| Nov 3, 1:00 AM EST | 486 | 2.14 | 556–1,290 |
| Nov 3, 12:00 AM EST | 486 | 2.14 | 556–1,290 |
| Nov 2, 11:00 PM EST | 486 | 2.14 | 567–1,280 |
| Nov 2, 10:00 PM EST | 486 | 2.14 | 567–1,280 |
| Nov 2, 9:00 PM EST | 492 | 2.15 | 567–1,280 |
| Nov 2, 8:00 PM EST | 492 | 2.15 | 567–1,280 |
| Nov 2, 7:00 PM EST | 492 | 2.15 | 567–1,280 |
| Nov 2, 6:00 PM EST | 492 | 2.15 | 567–1,280 |
| Nov 2, 5:00 PM EST | 492 | 2.15 | 567–1,280 |
| Nov 2, 4:00 PM EST | 492 | 2.15 | 567–1,280 |
| Nov 2, 3:00 PM EST | 492 | 2.15 | 567–1,280 |
| Nov 2, 2:00 PM EST | 498 | 2.16 | 567–1,280 |
| Nov 2, 1:00 PM EST | 498 | 2.16 | 567–1,280 |
| Nov 2, 12:00 PM EST | 498 | 2.16 | 567–1,280 |
| Nov 2, 11:00 AM EST | 498 | 2.16 | 567–1,280 |
| Nov 2, 10:00 AM EST | 498 | 2.16 | 567–1,280 |
| Nov 2, 9:00 AM EST | 498 | 2.16 | 567–1,280 |
| Nov 2, 8:00 AM EST | 492 | 2.15 | 567–1,280 |
| Nov 2, 7:00 AM EST | 492 | 2.15 | 567–1,280 |
| Nov 2, 6:00 AM EST | 492 | 2.15 | 567–1,280 |
| Nov 2, 5:00 AM EST | 486 | 2.14 | 567–1,280 |
| Nov 2, 4:00 AM EST | 486 | 2.14 | 567–1,280 |
| Nov 2, 3:00 AM EST | 480 | 2.13 | 567–1,280 |
| Nov 2, 2:00 AM EST | 480 | 2.13 | 567–1,280 |
| Nov 2, 1:00 AM EST | 480 | 2.13 | 567–1,280 |
| Nov 2, 12:00 AM EST | 480 | 2.13 | 567–1,280 |
| Nov 1, 11:00 PM EST | 480 | 2.13 | 546–1,290 |
| Nov 1, 10:00 PM EST | 480 | 2.13 | 546–1,290 |
| Nov 1, 9:00 PM EST | 480 | 2.13 | 546–1,290 |
| Nov 1, 8:00 PM EST | 486 | 2.14 | 546–1,290 |
| Nov 1, 7:00 PM EST | 486 | 2.14 | 546–1,290 |
| Nov 1, 6:00 PM EST | 486 | 2.14 | 546–1,290 |
| Nov 1, 5:00 PM EST | 486 | 2.14 | 546–1,290 |
| Nov 1, 4:00 PM EST | 492 | 2.15 | 546–1,290 |
| Nov 1, 3:00 PM EST | 492 | 2.15 | 546–1,290 |
| Nov 1, 2:00 PM EST | 492 | 2.15 | 546–1,290 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 PM EST | 492 | 2.15 | 546–1,290 |
| Nov 1, 12:00 PM EST | 492 | 2.15 | 546–1,290 |
| Nov 1, 11:00 AM EST | 492 | 2.15 | 546–1,290 |
| Nov 1, 10:00 AM EST | 492 | 2.15 | 546–1,290 |
| Nov 1, 9:00 AM EST | 492 | 2.15 | 546–1,290 |
| Nov 1, 8:00 AM EST | 492 | 2.15 | 546–1,290 |
| Nov 1, 7:00 AM EST | 492 | 2.15 | 546–1,290 |
| Nov 1, 6:00 AM EST | 492 | 2.15 | 546–1,290 |
| Nov 1, 5:00 AM EST | 492 | 2.15 | 546–1,290 |
| Nov 1, 4:00 AM EST | 492 | 2.15 | 546–1,290 |
| Nov 1, 3:00 AM EST | 492 | 2.15 | 546–1,290 |
| Nov 1, 2:00 AM EST | 492 | 2.15 | 546–1,290 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 AM EST | 498 | 2.16 | 546–1,290 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 AM EDT | 498 | 2.16 | 546–1,290 |
| Nov 1, 12:00 AM EDT | 498 | 2.16 | 546–1,290 |
| Oct 31, 11:00 PM EDT | 498 | 2.16 | 548–1,400 |
| Oct 31, 10:00 PM EDT | 498 | 2.16 | 548–1,400 |
| Oct 31, 9:00 PM EDT | 498 | 2.16 | 548–1,400 |
| Oct 31, 8:00 PM EDT | 504 | 2.17 | 548–1,400 |
| Oct 31, 7:00 PM EDT | 504 | 2.17 | 548–1,400 |
| Oct 31, 6:00 PM EDT | 504 | 2.17 | 548–1,400 |
| Oct 31, 5:00 PM EDT | 504 | 2.17 | 548–1,400 |
| Oct 31, 4:00 PM EDT | 510 | 2.18 | 548–1,400 |
| Oct 31, 3:00 PM EDT | 510 | 2.18 | 548–1,400 |
| Oct 31, 2:00 PM EDT | 510 | 2.18 | 548–1,400 |
| Oct 31, 1:00 PM EDT | 510 | 2.18 | 548–1,400 |
| Oct 31, 12:00 PM EDT | 510 | 2.18 | 548–1,400 |
| Oct 31, 11:00 AM EDT | 510 | 2.18 | 548–1,400 |
| Oct 31, 10:00 AM EDT | 510 | 2.18 | 548–1,400 |
| Oct 31, 9:00 AM EDT | 510 | 2.18 | 548–1,400 |
| Oct 31, 8:00 AM EDT | 510 | 2.18 | 548–1,400 |
| Oct 31, 7:00 AM EDT | 510 | 2.18 | 548–1,400 |
| Oct 31, 6:00 AM EDT | 504 | 2.17 | 548–1,400 |
| Oct 31, 5:00 AM EDT | 504 | 2.17 | 548–1,400 |
| Oct 31, 4:00 AM EDT | 504 | 2.17 | 548–1,400 |
| Oct 31, 3:00 AM EDT | 504 | 2.17 | 548–1,400 |
| Oct 31, 2:00 AM EDT | 510 | 2.18 | 548–1,400 |
| Oct 31, 1:00 AM EDT | 510 | 2.18 | 548–1,400 |
| Oct 31, 12:00 AM EDT | 510 | 2.18 | 548–1,400 |
| Oct 30, 11:00 PM EDT | 510 | 2.18 | 545–1,450 |
| Oct 30, 10:00 PM EDT | 510 | 2.18 | 545–1,450 |
| Oct 30, 9:00 PM EDT | 516 | 2.19 | 545–1,450 |
| Oct 30, 8:00 PM EDT | 516 | 2.19 | 545–1,450 |
| Oct 30, 7:00 PM EDT | 516 | 2.19 | 545–1,450 |
| Oct 30, 6:00 PM EDT | 522 | 2.2 | 545–1,450 |
| Oct 30, 5:00 PM EDT | 522 | 2.2 | 545–1,450 |
| Oct 30, 4:00 PM EDT | 522 | 2.2 | 545–1,450 |
| Oct 30, 3:00 PM EDT | 528 | 2.21 | 545–1,450 |
| Oct 30, 2:00 PM EDT | 528 | 2.21 | 545–1,450 |
| Oct 30, 1:00 PM EDT | 528 | 2.21 | 545–1,450 |
| Oct 30, 12:00 PM EDT | 528 | 2.21 | 545–1,450 |
| Oct 30, 11:00 AM EDT | 528 | 2.21 | 545–1,450 |
| Oct 30, 10:00 AM EDT | 528 | 2.21 | 545–1,450 |
| Oct 30, 9:00 AM EDT | 528 | 2.21 | 545–1,450 |
| Oct 30, 8:00 AM EDT | 528 | 2.21 | 545–1,450 |
| Oct 30, 7:00 AM EDT | 528 | 2.21 | 545–1,450 |
| Oct 30, 6:00 AM EDT | 528 | 2.21 | 545–1,450 |
| Oct 30, 5:00 AM EDT | 528 | 2.21 | 545–1,450 |
| Oct 30, 4:00 AM EDT | 528 | 2.21 | 545–1,450 |
| Oct 30, 3:00 AM EDT | 528 | 2.21 | 545–1,450 |
| Oct 30, 2:00 AM EDT | 522 | 2.2 | 545–1,450 |
| Oct 30, 1:00 AM EDT | 522 | 2.2 | 545–1,450 |
| Oct 30, 12:00 AM EDT | 522 | 2.2 | 545–1,450 |
| Oct 29, 11:00 PM EDT | 522 | 2.2 | 545–1,480 |
| Oct 29, 10:00 PM EDT | 522 | 2.2 | 545–1,480 |
| Oct 29, 9:15 PM EDT | 522 | 2.2 | 545–1,480 |
Map of USGS gauge 02019500 and the river around it
Where JAMES RIVER AT BUCHANAN, VA sits, with 4 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 Virginia DWR uses are 68°F.
Normal for Nov 5: 524–1,260 ft³/s (middle half of 47 years of record). Now: 486 ft³/s, below normal.
Below normal for this date. 486 ft³/s is between the 10th and 25th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 47 years of record (1980–2026): 10th 439, 25th 524, median 640, 75th 1,260, 90th 1,860 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 368 ft³/s, highest 102,000 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 (+5.2% 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 Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources: Virginia daily trout stocking schedule · Virginia freshwater fishing regulations.
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.
The National Weather Service has no flood-stage gauge here, so no official flood category is shown.
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.