JAMES RIVER AT BENT CREEK, VA
USGS 02026000 · Virginia · reports discharge (live), gauge height
Reading JAMES RIVER AT BENT CREEK, VA…
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USGS 02026000 · Virginia · reports discharge (live), gauge height
What the agencies suggest
Approach the stream carefully and with a low profileIowa Department of Natural Resources
Fishing upstream will usually spook fewer fish than working downstreamIowa Department of Natural Resources
Deep pools and undercut banks provide refuge during sunny days and low waterMinnesota Department of Natural Resources
General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.
Reading Nov 5, 8:45 PM EST · provisional USGS data
Lowest for this date on record for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 169 readings from Oct 29, 9:45 PM EDT to Nov 5, 8:45 PM EST; ranging 389 to 1,510 ft³/s; latest 461 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, 8:45 PM EST | 461 | 2.6 | 964–2,430 |
| Nov 5, 7:45 PM EST | 461 | 2.6 | 964–2,430 |
| Nov 5, 6:45 PM EST | 461 | 2.6 | 964–2,430 |
| Nov 5, 5:45 PM EST | 474 | 2.61 | 964–2,430 |
| Nov 5, 4:45 PM EST | 486 | 2.62 | 964–2,430 |
| Nov 5, 3:45 PM EST | 499 | 2.63 | 964–2,430 |
| Nov 5, 2:45 PM EST | 512 | 2.64 | 964–2,430 |
| Nov 5, 1:45 PM EST | 525 | 2.65 | 964–2,430 |
| Nov 5, 12:45 PM EST | 551 | 2.67 | 964–2,430 |
| Nov 5, 11:45 AM EST | 578 | 2.69 | 964–2,430 |
| Nov 5, 10:45 AM EST | 606 | 2.71 | 964–2,430 |
| Nov 5, 9:45 AM EST | 648 | 2.74 | 964–2,430 |
| Nov 5, 8:45 AM EST | 705 | 2.78 | 964–2,430 |
| Nov 5, 7:45 AM EST | 765 | 2.82 | 964–2,430 |
| Nov 5, 6:45 AM EST | 826 | 2.86 | 964–2,430 |
| Nov 5, 5:45 AM EST | 905 | 2.91 | 964–2,430 |
| Nov 5, 4:45 AM EST | 1,000 | 2.97 | 964–2,430 |
| Nov 5, 3:45 AM EST | 1,120 | 3.04 | 964–2,430 |
| Nov 5, 2:45 AM EST | 1,250 | 3.11 | 964–2,430 |
| Nov 5, 1:45 AM EST | 1,400 | 3.19 | 964–2,430 |
| Nov 5, 12:45 AM EST | 1,510 | 3.25 | 964–2,430 |
| Nov 4, 11:45 PM EST | 1,510 | 3.25 | 1,010–2,470 |
| Nov 4, 10:45 PM EST | 1,140 | 3.05 | 1,010–2,470 |
| Nov 4, 9:45 PM EST | 620 | 2.72 | 1,010–2,470 |
| Nov 4, 8:45 PM EST | 449 | 2.59 | 1,010–2,470 |
| Nov 4, 7:45 PM EST | 436 | 2.58 | 1,010–2,470 |
| Nov 4, 6:45 PM EST | 436 | 2.58 | 1,010–2,470 |
| Nov 4, 5:45 PM EST | 449 | 2.59 | 1,010–2,470 |
| Nov 4, 4:45 PM EST | 461 | 2.6 | 1,010–2,470 |
| Nov 4, 3:45 PM EST | 461 | 2.6 | 1,010–2,470 |
| Nov 4, 2:45 PM EST | 486 | 2.62 | 1,010–2,470 |
| Nov 4, 1:45 PM EST | 499 | 2.63 | 1,010–2,470 |
| Nov 4, 12:45 PM EST | 512 | 2.64 | 1,010–2,470 |
| Nov 4, 11:45 AM EST | 538 | 2.66 | 1,010–2,470 |
| Nov 4, 10:45 AM EST | 565 | 2.68 | 1,010–2,470 |
| Nov 4, 9:45 AM EST | 592 | 2.7 | 1,010–2,470 |
| Nov 4, 8:45 AM EST | 634 | 2.73 | 1,010–2,470 |
| Nov 4, 7:45 AM EST | 676 | 2.76 | 1,010–2,470 |
| Nov 4, 6:45 AM EST | 735 | 2.8 | 1,010–2,470 |
| Nov 4, 5:45 AM EST | 795 | 2.84 | 1,010–2,470 |
| Nov 4, 4:45 AM EST | 858 | 2.88 | 1,010–2,470 |
| Nov 4, 3:45 AM EST | 954 | 2.94 | 1,010–2,470 |
| Nov 4, 2:45 AM EST | 1,020 | 2.98 | 1,010–2,470 |
| Nov 4, 1:45 AM EST | 1,070 | 3.01 | 1,010–2,470 |
| Nov 4, 12:45 AM EST | 1,020 | 2.98 | 1,010–2,470 |
| Nov 3, 11:45 PM EST | 780 | 2.83 | 1,030–2,590 |
| Nov 3, 10:45 PM EST | 512 | 2.64 | 1,030–2,590 |
| Nov 3, 9:45 PM EST | 401 | 2.55 | 1,030–2,590 |
| Nov 3, 8:45 PM EST | 389 | 2.54 | 1,030–2,590 |
| Nov 3, 7:45 PM EST | 389 | 2.54 | 1,030–2,590 |
| Nov 3, 6:45 PM EST | 401 | 2.55 | 1,030–2,590 |
| Nov 3, 5:45 PM EST | 412 | 2.56 | 1,030–2,590 |
| Nov 3, 4:45 PM EST | 424 | 2.57 | 1,030–2,590 |
| Nov 3, 3:45 PM EST | 436 | 2.58 | 1,030–2,590 |
| Nov 3, 2:45 PM EST | 449 | 2.59 | 1,030–2,590 |
| Nov 3, 1:45 PM EST | 461 | 2.6 | 1,030–2,590 |
| Nov 3, 12:45 PM EST | 486 | 2.62 | 1,030–2,590 |
| Nov 3, 11:45 AM EST | 512 | 2.64 | 1,030–2,590 |
| Nov 3, 10:45 AM EST | 538 | 2.66 | 1,030–2,590 |
| Nov 3, 9:45 AM EST | 565 | 2.68 | 1,030–2,590 |
| Nov 3, 8:45 AM EST | 606 | 2.71 | 1,030–2,590 |
| Nov 3, 7:45 AM EST | 648 | 2.74 | 1,030–2,590 |
| Nov 3, 6:45 AM EST | 676 | 2.76 | 1,030–2,590 |
| Nov 3, 5:45 AM EST | 720 | 2.79 | 1,030–2,590 |
| Nov 3, 4:45 AM EST | 765 | 2.82 | 1,030–2,590 |
| Nov 3, 3:45 AM EST | 780 | 2.83 | 1,030–2,590 |
| Nov 3, 2:45 AM EST | 765 | 2.82 | 1,030–2,590 |
| Nov 3, 1:45 AM EST | 691 | 2.77 | 1,030–2,590 |
| Nov 3, 12:45 AM EST | 592 | 2.7 | 1,030–2,590 |
| Nov 2, 11:45 PM EST | 538 | 2.66 | 1,090–2,800 |
| Nov 2, 10:45 PM EST | 525 | 2.65 | 1,090–2,800 |
| Nov 2, 9:45 PM EST | 551 | 2.67 | 1,090–2,800 |
| Nov 2, 8:45 PM EST | 578 | 2.69 | 1,090–2,800 |
| Nov 2, 7:45 PM EST | 620 | 2.72 | 1,090–2,800 |
| Nov 2, 6:45 PM EST | 662 | 2.75 | 1,090–2,800 |
| Nov 2, 5:45 PM EST | 705 | 2.78 | 1,090–2,800 |
| Nov 2, 4:45 PM EST | 750 | 2.81 | 1,090–2,800 |
| Nov 2, 3:45 PM EST | 795 | 2.84 | 1,090–2,800 |
| Nov 2, 2:45 PM EST | 826 | 2.86 | 1,090–2,800 |
| Nov 2, 1:45 PM EST | 873 | 2.89 | 1,090–2,800 |
| Nov 2, 12:45 PM EST | 889 | 2.9 | 1,090–2,800 |
| Nov 2, 11:45 AM EST | 889 | 2.9 | 1,090–2,800 |
| Nov 2, 10:45 AM EST | 889 | 2.9 | 1,090–2,800 |
| Nov 2, 9:45 AM EST | 873 | 2.89 | 1,090–2,800 |
| Nov 2, 8:45 AM EST | 826 | 2.86 | 1,090–2,800 |
| Nov 2, 7:45 AM EST | 765 | 2.82 | 1,090–2,800 |
| Nov 2, 6:45 AM EST | 662 | 2.75 | 1,090–2,800 |
| Nov 2, 5:45 AM EST | 551 | 2.67 | 1,090–2,800 |
| Nov 2, 4:45 AM EST | 474 | 2.61 | 1,090–2,800 |
| Nov 2, 3:45 AM EST | 436 | 2.58 | 1,090–2,800 |
| Nov 2, 2:45 AM EST | 424 | 2.57 | 1,090–2,800 |
| Nov 2, 1:45 AM EST | 436 | 2.58 | 1,090–2,800 |
| Nov 2, 12:45 AM EST | 461 | 2.6 | 1,090–2,800 |
| Nov 1, 11:45 PM EST | 486 | 2.62 | 977–2,870 |
| Nov 1, 10:45 PM EST | 499 | 2.63 | 977–2,870 |
| Nov 1, 9:45 PM EST | 525 | 2.65 | 977–2,870 |
| Nov 1, 8:45 PM EST | 565 | 2.68 | 977–2,870 |
| Nov 1, 7:45 PM EST | 592 | 2.7 | 977–2,870 |
| Nov 1, 6:45 PM EST | 634 | 2.73 | 977–2,870 |
| Nov 1, 5:45 PM EST | 676 | 2.76 | 977–2,870 |
| Nov 1, 4:45 PM EST | 720 | 2.79 | 977–2,870 |
| Nov 1, 3:45 PM EST | 765 | 2.82 | 977–2,870 |
| Nov 1, 2:45 PM EST | 811 | 2.85 | 977–2,870 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 PM EST | 842 | 2.87 | 977–2,870 |
| Nov 1, 12:45 PM EST | 873 | 2.89 | 977–2,870 |
| Nov 1, 11:45 AM EST | 889 | 2.9 | 977–2,870 |
| Nov 1, 10:45 AM EST | 889 | 2.9 | 977–2,870 |
| Nov 1, 9:45 AM EST | 889 | 2.9 | 977–2,870 |
| Nov 1, 8:45 AM EST | 889 | 2.9 | 977–2,870 |
| Nov 1, 7:45 AM EST | 858 | 2.88 | 977–2,870 |
| Nov 1, 6:45 AM EST | 811 | 2.85 | 977–2,870 |
| Nov 1, 5:45 AM EST | 735 | 2.8 | 977–2,870 |
| Nov 1, 4:45 AM EST | 634 | 2.73 | 977–2,870 |
| Nov 1, 3:45 AM EST | 551 | 2.67 | 977–2,870 |
| Nov 1, 2:45 AM EST | 486 | 2.62 | 977–2,870 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 AM EST | 474 | 2.61 | 977–2,870 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 AM EDT | 486 | 2.62 | 977–2,870 |
| Nov 1, 12:45 AM EDT | 512 | 2.64 | 977–2,870 |
| Oct 31, 11:45 PM EDT | 538 | 2.66 | 1,040–2,950 |
| Oct 31, 10:45 PM EDT | 565 | 2.68 | 1,040–2,950 |
| Oct 31, 9:45 PM EDT | 606 | 2.71 | 1,040–2,950 |
| Oct 31, 8:45 PM EDT | 648 | 2.74 | 1,040–2,950 |
| Oct 31, 7:45 PM EDT | 691 | 2.77 | 1,040–2,950 |
| Oct 31, 6:45 PM EDT | 750 | 2.81 | 1,040–2,950 |
| Oct 31, 5:45 PM EDT | 811 | 2.85 | 1,040–2,950 |
| Oct 31, 4:45 PM EDT | 873 | 2.89 | 1,040–2,950 |
| Oct 31, 3:45 PM EDT | 938 | 2.93 | 1,040–2,950 |
| Oct 31, 2:45 PM EDT | 987 | 2.96 | 1,040–2,950 |
| Oct 31, 1:45 PM EDT | 1,020 | 2.98 | 1,040–2,950 |
| Oct 31, 12:45 PM EDT | 954 | 2.94 | 1,040–2,950 |
| Oct 31, 11:45 AM EDT | 780 | 2.83 | 1,040–2,950 |
| Oct 31, 10:45 AM EDT | 620 | 2.72 | 1,040–2,950 |
| Oct 31, 9:45 AM EDT | 538 | 2.66 | 1,040–2,950 |
| Oct 31, 8:45 AM EDT | 538 | 2.66 | 1,040–2,950 |
| Oct 31, 7:45 AM EDT | 551 | 2.67 | 1,040–2,950 |
| Oct 31, 6:45 AM EDT | 578 | 2.69 | 1,040–2,950 |
| Oct 31, 5:45 AM EDT | 620 | 2.72 | 1,040–2,950 |
| Oct 31, 4:45 AM EDT | 648 | 2.74 | 1,040–2,950 |
| Oct 31, 3:45 AM EDT | 662 | 2.75 | 1,040–2,950 |
| Oct 31, 2:45 AM EDT | 676 | 2.76 | 1,040–2,950 |
| Oct 31, 1:45 AM EDT | 662 | 2.75 | 1,040–2,950 |
| Oct 31, 12:45 AM EDT | 620 | 2.72 | 1,040–2,950 |
| Oct 30, 11:45 PM EDT | 578 | 2.69 | 1,000–2,880 |
| Oct 30, 10:45 PM EDT | 551 | 2.67 | 1,000–2,880 |
| Oct 30, 9:45 PM EDT | 551 | 2.67 | 1,000–2,880 |
| Oct 30, 8:45 PM EDT | 578 | 2.69 | 1,000–2,880 |
| Oct 30, 7:45 PM EDT | 606 | 2.71 | 1,000–2,880 |
| Oct 30, 6:45 PM EDT | 648 | 2.74 | 1,000–2,880 |
| Oct 30, 5:45 PM EDT | 691 | 2.77 | 1,000–2,880 |
| Oct 30, 4:45 PM EDT | 735 | 2.8 | 1,000–2,880 |
| Oct 30, 3:45 PM EDT | 780 | 2.83 | 1,000–2,880 |
| Oct 30, 2:45 PM EDT | 811 | 2.85 | 1,000–2,880 |
| Oct 30, 1:45 PM EDT | 811 | 2.85 | 1,000–2,880 |
| Oct 30, 12:45 PM EDT | 735 | 2.8 | 1,000–2,880 |
| Oct 30, 11:45 AM EDT | 620 | 2.72 | 1,000–2,880 |
| Oct 30, 10:45 AM EDT | 538 | 2.66 | 1,000–2,880 |
| Oct 30, 9:45 AM EDT | 512 | 2.64 | 1,000–2,880 |
| Oct 30, 8:45 AM EDT | 525 | 2.65 | 1,000–2,880 |
| Oct 30, 7:45 AM EDT | 551 | 2.67 | 1,000–2,880 |
| Oct 30, 6:45 AM EDT | 578 | 2.69 | 1,000–2,880 |
| Oct 30, 5:45 AM EDT | 606 | 2.71 | 1,000–2,880 |
| Oct 30, 4:45 AM EDT | 634 | 2.73 | 1,000–2,880 |
| Oct 30, 3:45 AM EDT | 648 | 2.74 | 1,000–2,880 |
| Oct 30, 2:45 AM EDT | 662 | 2.75 | 1,000–2,880 |
| Oct 30, 1:45 AM EDT | 662 | 2.75 | 1,000–2,880 |
| Oct 30, 12:45 AM EDT | 620 | 2.72 | 1,000–2,880 |
| Oct 29, 11:45 PM EDT | 592 | 2.7 | 1,030–2,610 |
| Oct 29, 10:45 PM EDT | 578 | 2.69 | 1,030–2,610 |
| Oct 29, 9:45 PM EDT | 592 | 2.7 | 1,030–2,610 |
Map of USGS gauge 02026000 and the river around it
Where JAMES RIVER AT BENT CREEK, VA sits, with 3 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.
Species list not on file for this gauge. Check the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources: .
Normal for Nov 5: 964–2,430 ft³/s (middle half of 47 years of record). Now: 461 ft³/s, lowest for this date on record.
Lowest for this date on record for this date. 461 ft³/s is below the lowest daily mean recorded on this date of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 47 years of record (1980–2026): 10th 803, 25th 964, median 1,320, 75th 2,430, 90th 3,260 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 649 ft³/s, highest 142,000 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 (+2.7% 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 2.6 ft stage, 424 ft³/s at Nov 5, 8:45 PM EST (NWS gauge BECV2; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
NWS river forecast forecast issued Nov 5, 9:59 AM EST. Highest point: 2.9 ft, 842 ft³/s on Nov 6, 1:00 AM EST (Below NWS action stage).
| Day | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 5 | 2.8 ft | 691 ft³/s |
| Fri, Nov 6 | 2.9 ft | 842 ft³/s |
| Sat, Nov 7 | 2.7 ft | 551 ft³/s |
| Sun, Nov 8 | 2.7 ft | 551 ft³/s |
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
Checked Nov 5, 9:15 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.