River Conditions
Illustrated map of Smith Mountain Lake

River stage

Holcomb Rock, James River

River level
6.71 ft
Status
Below flood stage
7-day change
+2.62 ft
Recent high
7.31 ft
Recent low
3.89 ft

Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS HRKV2

30-day change
+2.50 ft
Average
4.41 ft
Readings
122
Data span
122 days
Record crest
42.15 ft

In brief

The James River at Holcomb Rock, VA read 6.71 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 11.29 ft below action stage. That is 2.50 ft higher than 30 days earlier.

Source: National Weather Service gauge HRKV2

River level timeline

3.44.55.66.77.8SEP 13SEP 18SEP 23SEP 28OCT 03OCT 08OCT 13LOW 3.897.31 ftLAST READING

Stage threshold profile

Action stage 18.00 ftMinor flooding 22.00 ftModerate flooding 24.00 ftMajor flooding 28.00 ft CURRENT 6.71 ft

Highest crests on record

RankCrestDate
1 42.15 ft 1985-11-05
2 35.50 ft 1969-08-20
3 32.38 ft 1972-06-22
4 31.30 ft 1913-03-28
5 30.99 ft 1996-01-20
6 30.78 ft 1936-03-18
7 29.48 ft 1992-04-22
8 28.36 ft 1987-04-17

Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.

What happens at each level

  1. 22.00 ft

    Two feet of water in powerhouse lower floor.

  2. 23.00 ft

    Power equipment yard and access flooded at holcomb rock dam.

  3. 28.00 ft

    Water reaches mail floor of powerhouse.

  4. 32.00 ft

    Water floods railroad tracks along right bank.

Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.

Frequently asked questions

Is the James River flooding at Holcomb Rock?

No. The James River at Holcomb Rock is at 6.71 ft, 11.29 ft below action stage.

What is the flood stage at Holcomb Rock?

The National Weather Service sets action stage 18 ft, minor flooding 22 ft, moderate flooding 24 ft and major flooding 28 ft.

What is the highest the James River has been at Holcomb Rock?

The highest crest on record is 42.15 ft, on 1985-11-05.

Is the James River high or low right now at Holcomb Rock?

At 6.71 ft it is higher than 98% of readings over the last 122 days.

Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge HRKV2); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 02025500). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.