River stage
Queen Shoals, Elk River
- River level
- 8.09 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- +3.40 ft
- Recent high
- 13.28 ft
- Recent low
- 3.96 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS QUSW2
- 30-day change
- +1.91 ft
- Average
- 5.41 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 37.20 ft
In brief
The Elk River at Queen Shoals, WV read 8.09 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 8.91 ft below action stage. That is 1.91 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge QUSW2
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 37.20 ft | 1918-03-13 |
| 2 | 33.31 ft | 2016-06-24 |
| 3 | 32.00 ft | 1888-01-01 |
| 4 | 29.20 ft | 1932-07-05 |
| 5 | 26.50 ft | 1939-02-03 |
| 6 | 25.36 ft | 1997-03-02 |
| 7 | 24.73 ft | 1967-03-15 |
| 8 | 23.90 ft | 1937-10-29 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 12.00 ft
The North and South Clendenin boat ramp access parking lots flood between 12 and 15 feet.
- 19.00 ft
In Queen Shoals, the lower floor of the abandoned church opposite side of the river from the gauge floods.
- 20.00 ft
In Clendenin, basements in some businesses adjacent to the river flood. WV State Route 4 between US Route 119 and Beech Street floods. Sections of US Route 119 are inundated due to backwater flooding of Big Sandy Creek.
- 22.00 ft
In Falling Rock, US Route 119 at the intersection with Jordan Creek Road floods. In Queen Shoals, low spot on Flat Fork Groves Road floods.
- 25.00 ft
In Clendenin, lower portions of Elk Avenue, Virginia Avenue, and Jarrett Street flood. The first floor of businesses adjacent to the river flood.
- 27.00 ft
In Clendenin, many homes and businesses between Maywood Avenue and the river flood. In Procious, homes on both sides of the river begin to flood. In Queen Shoals, low sections of WV State Route 4 approximately 1 mile below the gauge floods. Low sections of WV State Route 4 flood between Barren Creek and Corton.
- 28.00 ft
In Corton, the Eastern Gas transmission area located on River Haven Road, floods around 28 feet.
- 29.00 ft
Major flooding occurs along the entire reach of the Elk River. In Clendenin, most homes and businesses between Maywood Avenue and the river are inundated. In Youngs Bottom, several homes between Robbie Lane and the river flood. In Procious, portions of WV Route 4 and Scenic River Road flood.
- 29.50 ft
In Queen Shoals, row of homes on WV State Route 4 above the Queen Road bridge flood. In Reamer, homes between Brown Street and the river are inundated.
- 30.00 ft
In Clendenin, many homes and businesses above the Big Sandy Creek between WV State Route 4 and the river are inundated. In Barren Creek, much of River Haven Road floods along with several homes between this road and the river. In Queen Shoals, several homes flood along WV State Route 4 0.3 miles above the Queen Road bridge.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Elk River flooding at Queen Shoals?
No. The Elk River at Queen Shoals is at 8.09 ft, 8.91 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Queen Shoals?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 17 ft, minor flooding 19 ft, moderate flooding 23 ft and major flooding 29 ft.
What is the highest the Elk River has been at Queen Shoals?
The highest crest on record is 37.2 ft, on 1918-03-13.
Is the Elk River high or low right now at Queen Shoals?
At 8.09 ft it is higher than 92% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge QUSW2); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 03197000). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.