River stage
Kanawha Falls, Kanawha River
- River level
- 8.41 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- +4.82 ft
- Recent high
- 10.27 ft
- Recent low
- 2.42 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS KANW2
- 30-day change
- +4.59 ft
- Average
- 4.24 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 37.80 ft
In brief
The Kanawha River at Kanawha Falls, WV read 8.41 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 16.59 ft below action stage. That is 4.59 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge KANW2
Water 68 °F (20 °C) · 3 °F warmer than normal for this date
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 37.80 ft | 1878-09-14 |
| 2 | 27.37 ft | 1977-04-04 |
| 3 | 21.60 ft | 1957-01-29 |
| 4 | 20.63 ft | 1996-01-19 |
| 5 | 20.62 ft | 1972-02-26 |
| 6 | 19.41 ft | 1977-04-05 |
| 7 | 19.01 ft | 2013-02-01 |
| 8 | 19.00 ft | 1935-03-25 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 25.00 ft
Low lying areas near the river in Kanawha Falls and Glen Ferris start to have water problems.
- 27.00 ft
The park, near the water falls, is flooded. Homes, just upstream from the County Route 13 bridge, start to flood. Several houses in Charlton Heights approximatly 2 miles downstream from the County Route 13 bridge begin to be affected by water.
- 30.00 ft
Homes, just above county route 13 bridge and along Hairdo Lane are flooded. Several houses in Charlton Heights approximatly 2 miles downstream from the County Route 13 bridge start to flood.
- 35.00 ft
Most areas next to river are flooded.
- 41.00 ft
Railroad tracks upstream and downstream of County Route 13 bridge floods.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Kanawha River flooding at Kanawha Falls?
No. The Kanawha River at Kanawha Falls is at 8.41 ft, 16.59 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Kanawha Falls?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 25 ft, minor flooding 27 ft, moderate flooding 30 ft and major flooding 35 ft.
What is the highest the Kanawha River has been at Kanawha Falls?
The highest crest on record is 37.8 ft, on 1878-09-14.
Is the Kanawha River high or low right now at Kanawha Falls?
At 8.41 ft it is higher than 98% of readings over the last 122 days.
How warm is the water at Kanawha Falls, Kanawha River?
The water temperature at Kanawha Falls, Kanawha River is 68 °F (19.9 °C), measured 7:30 pm by USGS, which is 3 °F warmer than normal for this date over the past ten years. It has risen 0.9 °F in the last 24 hours.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge KANW2); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 03193000). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.