ELK RIVER AT QUEEN SHOALS, WV
USGS 03197000 · West Virginia · reports discharge (live), gauge height
Reading ELK RIVER AT QUEEN SHOALS, WV…
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USGS 03197000 · West Virginia · reports discharge (live), gauge height
What the agencies suggest
Stand back from the shoreline and be aware of surroundingsRhode Island Department of Environmental Management
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
Normal for Nov 5 Rising · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 169 readings from Oct 29, 9:00 PM EDT to Nov 5, 8:00 PM EST; ranging 556 to 1,070 ft³/s; latest 699 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 | 699 | 5.07 | 493–1,510 |
| Nov 5, 7:00 PM EST | 692 | 5.06 | 493–1,510 |
| Nov 5, 6:00 PM EST | 686 | 5.05 | 493–1,510 |
| Nov 5, 5:00 PM EST | 680 | 5.04 | 493–1,510 |
| Nov 5, 4:00 PM EST | 668 | 5.02 | 493–1,510 |
| Nov 5, 3:00 PM EST | 656 | 5 | 493–1,510 |
| Nov 5, 2:00 PM EST | 651 | 4.99 | 493–1,510 |
| Nov 5, 1:00 PM EST | 639 | 4.97 | 493–1,510 |
| Nov 5, 12:00 PM EST | 639 | 4.97 | 493–1,510 |
| Nov 5, 11:00 AM EST | 633 | 4.96 | 493–1,510 |
| Nov 5, 10:00 AM EST | 633 | 4.96 | 493–1,510 |
| Nov 5, 9:00 AM EST | 633 | 4.96 | 493–1,510 |
| Nov 5, 8:00 AM EST | 633 | 4.96 | 493–1,510 |
| Nov 5, 7:00 AM EST | 622 | 4.94 | 493–1,510 |
| Nov 5, 6:00 AM EST | 610 | 4.92 | 493–1,510 |
| Nov 5, 5:00 AM EST | 599 | 4.9 | 493–1,510 |
| Nov 5, 4:00 AM EST | 588 | 4.88 | 493–1,510 |
| Nov 5, 3:00 AM EST | 572 | 4.85 | 493–1,510 |
| Nov 5, 2:00 AM EST | 566 | 4.84 | 493–1,510 |
| Nov 5, 1:00 AM EST | 572 | 4.85 | 493–1,510 |
| Nov 5, 12:00 AM EST | 572 | 4.85 | 493–1,510 |
| Nov 4, 11:00 PM EST | 566 | 4.84 | 508–1,760 |
| Nov 4, 10:00 PM EST | 566 | 4.84 | 508–1,760 |
| Nov 4, 9:00 PM EST | 556 | 4.82 | 508–1,760 |
| Nov 4, 8:00 PM EST | 556 | 4.82 | 508–1,760 |
| Nov 4, 7:00 PM EST | 556 | 4.82 | 508–1,760 |
| Nov 4, 6:00 PM EST | 556 | 4.82 | 508–1,760 |
| Nov 4, 5:00 PM EST | 556 | 4.82 | 508–1,760 |
| Nov 4, 4:00 PM EST | 561 | 4.83 | 508–1,760 |
| Nov 4, 3:00 PM EST | 561 | 4.83 | 508–1,760 |
| Nov 4, 2:00 PM EST | 561 | 4.83 | 508–1,760 |
| Nov 4, 1:00 PM EST | 556 | 4.82 | 508–1,760 |
| Nov 4, 12:00 PM EST | 556 | 4.82 | 508–1,760 |
| Nov 4, 11:00 AM EST | 561 | 4.83 | 508–1,760 |
| Nov 4, 10:00 AM EST | 561 | 4.83 | 508–1,760 |
| Nov 4, 9:00 AM EST | 566 | 4.84 | 508–1,760 |
| Nov 4, 8:00 AM EST | 566 | 4.84 | 508–1,760 |
| Nov 4, 7:00 AM EST | 566 | 4.84 | 508–1,760 |
| Nov 4, 6:00 AM EST | 566 | 4.84 | 508–1,760 |
| Nov 4, 5:00 AM EST | 572 | 4.85 | 508–1,760 |
| Nov 4, 4:00 AM EST | 577 | 4.86 | 508–1,760 |
| Nov 4, 3:00 AM EST | 583 | 4.87 | 508–1,760 |
| Nov 4, 2:00 AM EST | 594 | 4.89 | 508–1,760 |
| Nov 4, 1:00 AM EST | 599 | 4.9 | 508–1,760 |
| Nov 4, 12:00 AM EST | 610 | 4.92 | 508–1,760 |
| Nov 3, 11:00 PM EST | 622 | 4.94 | 520–1,610 |
| Nov 3, 10:00 PM EST | 627 | 4.95 | 520–1,610 |
| Nov 3, 9:00 PM EST | 645 | 4.98 | 520–1,610 |
| Nov 3, 8:00 PM EST | 656 | 5 | 520–1,610 |
| Nov 3, 7:00 PM EST | 674 | 5.03 | 520–1,610 |
| Nov 3, 6:00 PM EST | 686 | 5.05 | 520–1,610 |
| Nov 3, 5:00 PM EST | 699 | 5.07 | 520–1,610 |
| Nov 3, 4:00 PM EST | 711 | 5.09 | 520–1,610 |
| Nov 3, 3:00 PM EST | 723 | 5.11 | 520–1,610 |
| Nov 3, 2:00 PM EST | 730 | 5.12 | 520–1,610 |
| Nov 3, 1:00 PM EST | 742 | 5.14 | 520–1,610 |
| Nov 3, 12:00 PM EST | 749 | 5.15 | 520–1,610 |
| Nov 3, 11:00 AM EST | 749 | 5.15 | 520–1,610 |
| Nov 3, 10:00 AM EST | 755 | 5.16 | 520–1,610 |
| Nov 3, 9:00 AM EST | 755 | 5.16 | 520–1,610 |
| Nov 3, 8:00 AM EST | 755 | 5.16 | 520–1,610 |
| Nov 3, 7:00 AM EST | 755 | 5.16 | 520–1,610 |
| Nov 3, 6:00 AM EST | 755 | 5.16 | 520–1,610 |
| Nov 3, 5:00 AM EST | 755 | 5.16 | 520–1,610 |
| Nov 3, 4:00 AM EST | 755 | 5.16 | 520–1,610 |
| Nov 3, 3:00 AM EST | 755 | 5.16 | 520–1,610 |
| Nov 3, 2:00 AM EST | 755 | 5.16 | 520–1,610 |
| Nov 3, 1:00 AM EST | 762 | 5.17 | 520–1,610 |
| Nov 3, 12:00 AM EST | 762 | 5.17 | 520–1,610 |
| Nov 2, 11:00 PM EST | 762 | 5.17 | 395–1,940 |
| Nov 2, 10:00 PM EST | 762 | 5.17 | 395–1,940 |
| Nov 2, 9:00 PM EST | 755 | 5.16 | 395–1,940 |
| Nov 2, 8:00 PM EST | 762 | 5.17 | 395–1,940 |
| Nov 2, 7:00 PM EST | 762 | 5.17 | 395–1,940 |
| Nov 2, 6:00 PM EST | 762 | 5.17 | 395–1,940 |
| Nov 2, 5:00 PM EST | 762 | 5.17 | 395–1,940 |
| Nov 2, 4:00 PM EST | 762 | 5.17 | 395–1,940 |
| Nov 2, 3:00 PM EST | 762 | 5.17 | 395–1,940 |
| Nov 2, 2:00 PM EST | 762 | 5.17 | 395–1,940 |
| Nov 2, 1:00 PM EST | 762 | 5.17 | 395–1,940 |
| Nov 2, 12:00 PM EST | 768 | 5.18 | 395–1,940 |
| Nov 2, 11:00 AM EST | 768 | 5.18 | 395–1,940 |
| Nov 2, 10:00 AM EST | 768 | 5.18 | 395–1,940 |
| Nov 2, 9:00 AM EST | 768 | 5.18 | 395–1,940 |
| Nov 2, 8:00 AM EST | 768 | 5.18 | 395–1,940 |
| Nov 2, 7:00 AM EST | 768 | 5.18 | 395–1,940 |
| Nov 2, 6:00 AM EST | 768 | 5.18 | 395–1,940 |
| Nov 2, 5:00 AM EST | 775 | 5.19 | 395–1,940 |
| Nov 2, 4:00 AM EST | 775 | 5.19 | 395–1,940 |
| Nov 2, 3:00 AM EST | 775 | 5.19 | 395–1,940 |
| Nov 2, 2:00 AM EST | 775 | 5.19 | 395–1,940 |
| Nov 2, 1:00 AM EST | 781 | 5.2 | 395–1,940 |
| Nov 2, 12:00 AM EST | 781 | 5.2 | 395–1,940 |
| Nov 1, 11:00 PM EST | 788 | 5.21 | 382–1,920 |
| Nov 1, 10:00 PM EST | 795 | 5.22 | 382–1,920 |
| Nov 1, 9:00 PM EST | 808 | 5.24 | 382–1,920 |
| Nov 1, 8:00 PM EST | 821 | 5.26 | 382–1,920 |
| Nov 1, 7:00 PM EST | 835 | 5.28 | 382–1,920 |
| Nov 1, 6:00 PM EST | 849 | 5.3 | 382–1,920 |
| Nov 1, 5:00 PM EST | 870 | 5.33 | 382–1,920 |
| Nov 1, 4:00 PM EST | 891 | 5.36 | 382–1,920 |
| Nov 1, 3:00 PM EST | 913 | 5.39 | 382–1,920 |
| Nov 1, 2:00 PM EST | 942 | 5.43 | 382–1,920 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 PM EST | 965 | 5.46 | 382–1,920 |
| Nov 1, 12:00 PM EST | 980 | 5.48 | 382–1,920 |
| Nov 1, 11:00 AM EST | 1,000 | 5.51 | 382–1,920 |
| Nov 1, 10:00 AM EST | 1,020 | 5.53 | 382–1,920 |
| Nov 1, 9:00 AM EST | 1,030 | 5.55 | 382–1,920 |
| Nov 1, 8:00 AM EST | 1,040 | 5.56 | 382–1,920 |
| Nov 1, 7:00 AM EST | 1,050 | 5.57 | 382–1,920 |
| Nov 1, 6:00 AM EST | 1,060 | 5.58 | 382–1,920 |
| Nov 1, 5:00 AM EST | 1,060 | 5.58 | 382–1,920 |
| Nov 1, 4:00 AM EST | 1,060 | 5.58 | 382–1,920 |
| Nov 1, 3:00 AM EST | 1,070 | 5.59 | 382–1,920 |
| Nov 1, 2:00 AM EST | 1,060 | 5.58 | 382–1,920 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 AM EST | 1,060 | 5.58 | 382–1,920 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 AM EDT | 1,060 | 5.58 | 382–1,920 |
| Nov 1, 12:00 AM EDT | 1,060 | 5.58 | 382–1,920 |
| Oct 31, 11:00 PM EDT | 1,060 | 5.58 | 371–1,920 |
| Oct 31, 10:00 PM EDT | 1,060 | 5.58 | 371–1,920 |
| Oct 31, 9:00 PM EDT | 1,060 | 5.58 | 371–1,920 |
| Oct 31, 8:00 PM EDT | 1,050 | 5.57 | 371–1,920 |
| Oct 31, 7:00 PM EDT | 1,050 | 5.57 | 371–1,920 |
| Oct 31, 6:00 PM EDT | 1,030 | 5.55 | 371–1,920 |
| Oct 31, 5:00 PM EDT | 1,030 | 5.54 | 371–1,920 |
| Oct 31, 4:00 PM EDT | 1,020 | 5.53 | 371–1,920 |
| Oct 31, 3:00 PM EDT | 1,000 | 5.51 | 371–1,920 |
| Oct 31, 2:00 PM EDT | 980 | 5.48 | 371–1,920 |
| Oct 31, 1:00 PM EDT | 972 | 5.47 | 371–1,920 |
| Oct 31, 12:00 PM EDT | 957 | 5.45 | 371–1,920 |
| Oct 31, 11:00 AM EDT | 942 | 5.43 | 371–1,920 |
| Oct 31, 10:00 AM EDT | 935 | 5.42 | 371–1,920 |
| Oct 31, 9:00 AM EDT | 935 | 5.42 | 371–1,920 |
| Oct 31, 8:00 AM EDT | 935 | 5.42 | 371–1,920 |
| Oct 31, 7:00 AM EDT | 935 | 5.42 | 371–1,920 |
| Oct 31, 6:00 AM EDT | 935 | 5.42 | 371–1,920 |
| Oct 31, 5:00 AM EDT | 935 | 5.42 | 371–1,920 |
| Oct 31, 4:00 AM EDT | 935 | 5.42 | 371–1,920 |
| Oct 31, 3:00 AM EDT | 935 | 5.42 | 371–1,920 |
| Oct 31, 2:00 AM EDT | 935 | 5.42 | 371–1,920 |
| Oct 31, 1:00 AM EDT | 935 | 5.42 | 371–1,920 |
| Oct 31, 12:00 AM EDT | 935 | 5.42 | 371–1,920 |
| Oct 30, 11:00 PM EDT | 928 | 5.41 | 394–1,770 |
| Oct 30, 10:00 PM EDT | 928 | 5.41 | 394–1,770 |
| Oct 30, 9:00 PM EDT | 920 | 5.4 | 394–1,770 |
| Oct 30, 8:00 PM EDT | 920 | 5.4 | 394–1,770 |
| Oct 30, 7:00 PM EDT | 913 | 5.39 | 394–1,770 |
| Oct 30, 6:00 PM EDT | 906 | 5.38 | 394–1,770 |
| Oct 30, 5:00 PM EDT | 891 | 5.36 | 394–1,770 |
| Oct 30, 4:00 PM EDT | 884 | 5.35 | 394–1,770 |
| Oct 30, 3:00 PM EDT | 877 | 5.34 | 394–1,770 |
| Oct 30, 2:00 PM EDT | 863 | 5.32 | 394–1,770 |
| Oct 30, 1:00 PM EDT | 856 | 5.31 | 394–1,770 |
| Oct 30, 12:00 PM EDT | 856 | 5.31 | 394–1,770 |
| Oct 30, 11:00 AM EDT | 849 | 5.3 | 394–1,770 |
| Oct 30, 10:00 AM EDT | 849 | 5.3 | 394–1,770 |
| Oct 30, 9:00 AM EDT | 849 | 5.3 | 394–1,770 |
| Oct 30, 8:00 AM EDT | 849 | 5.3 | 394–1,770 |
| Oct 30, 7:00 AM EDT | 849 | 5.3 | 394–1,770 |
| Oct 30, 6:00 AM EDT | 849 | 5.3 | 394–1,770 |
| Oct 30, 5:00 AM EDT | 849 | 5.3 | 394–1,770 |
| Oct 30, 4:00 AM EDT | 849 | 5.3 | 394–1,770 |
| Oct 30, 3:00 AM EDT | 849 | 5.3 | 394–1,770 |
| Oct 30, 2:00 AM EDT | 849 | 5.3 | 394–1,770 |
| Oct 30, 1:00 AM EDT | 849 | 5.3 | 394–1,770 |
| Oct 30, 12:00 AM EDT | 849 | 5.3 | 394–1,770 |
| Oct 29, 11:00 PM EDT | 849 | 5.3 | 363–1,240 |
| Oct 29, 10:00 PM EDT | 856 | 5.31 | 363–1,240 |
| Oct 29, 9:00 PM EDT | 849 | 5.3 | 363–1,240 |
Map of USGS gauge 03197000 and the river around it
Where ELK RIVER AT QUEEN SHOALS, WV sits, with 4 other gauges on the same river and our water's map point.
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: 493–1,510 ft³/s (middle half of 66 years of record). Now: 699 ft³/s, normal.
Normal for this date. 699 ft³/s is between the 25th and 75th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 66 years of record (1961–2026): 10th 286, 25th 493, median 872, 75th 1,510, 90th 3,330 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 144 ft³/s, highest 15,000 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).
Rising over 24 hours: discharge up 25.7%, from 556 to 699 ft³/s. 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 the agency lists for Elk River: rainbow trout.
From our page for Elk River, on the same river as this gauge; the agency list is for the water, not this exact reach. Source: WVDNR announces November-December trout stockings for Elk River in Webster County - WVDNR (West Virginia Division of Natural Resources).
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)Rising water. Rising over the last 24 hours (discharge up 25.7%). Keep your way back to the bank in sight and watch the level while you fish. “Rising” is our rule of thumb: more than 10% in discharge or 0.2 ft of gauge height in 24 hours, not a USGS or NWS class.
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 5.06 ft stage, 691 ft³/s at Nov 5, 7:00 PM EST (NWS gauge QUSW2; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
NWS river forecast forecast issued Nov 5, 10:24 AM EST. Highest point: 5.2 ft, 776 ft³/s on Nov 6, 7:00 AM EST (Below NWS action stage).
| Day | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 5 | 5.1 ft | 714 ft³/s |
| Fri, Nov 6 | 5.2 ft | 776 ft³/s |
| Sat, Nov 7 | 5.1 ft | 714 ft³/s |
| Sun, Nov 8 | 5.1 ft | 714 ft³/s |
| Mon, Nov 9 | 5 ft | 655 ft³/s |
| Tue, Nov 10 | 5 ft | 655 ft³/s |
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
Checked Nov 5, 8:18 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.