River stage
Kanawha River
- River level
- Normal
- Status
- Below flood stage
Latest readings 2026-10-13 | NWS · USGS
- Gauges reporting
- 6 of 6
- Above flood stage
- 0
- Above action stage
- 0
- Overall
- Below flood stage
- Publisher
- NWS · USGS
In brief
On Oct 13, 2026, 6 of 6 gauges on the Kanawha River reported, and none was above flood stage.
Source: National Weather Service and USGS gauges
Kanawha River levels, gauge by gauge
The Kanawha River is measured at 6 gauges. Flood stages are set per gauge, so the same river is "high" at one town and normal at the next.
| Location | Level | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston Old Lock 6 | 19.77 ft | below flood stage |
| Kanawha Falls | 8.41 ft | normal, rising |
| London Locks | 12.54 ft | normal, steady |
| Marmet Locks | 15.15 ft | normal, steady |
| South Side Bridge | 9.97 ft | below flood stage |
| Winfield Locks | 13.94 ft | normal, steady |
Recent levels on the Kanawha River
The gauge with the fullest recent record on this river is Kanawha Falls, WV, with 122 days of readings.
Other rivers nearby
- Guyandotte River 7 gauges
- Meadow River 2 gauges
- Elk River (WV) 8 gauges
- Cranberry River 1 gauge
- Williams River (WV) 1 gauge
- Indian Creek (WV) 1 gauge
- Greenbrier River 9 gauges
- New River (VA, WV) 10 gauges
Frequently asked questions
Is the Kanawha River flooding right now?
No. Every one of the 6 reporting gauges on the Kanawha River is below flood stage as of 2026-10-13.
How high is the Kanawha River?
The river is measured at several points and each reads a different height. Kanawha Falls is at 8.41 ft; London Locks is at 12.54 ft; Marmet Locks is at 15.15 ft; Winfield Locks is at 13.94 ft.
Where is the Kanawha River measured?
The National Weather Service and USGS operate 6 gauges on the Kanawha River in West Virginia.
What does flood stage mean?
Flood stage is the height at which a river begins to cause problems at that specific location. It is set per gauge, so the same river can be above flood stage in one town and normal a few miles downstream. Action stage is the lower level at which forecasters start watching closely.
River stages and flood categories from the NOAA National Weather Service; daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.