River stage
Hancock, Potomac River
- River level
- 9.31 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- +6.27 ft
- Recent high
- 10.45 ft
- Recent low
- 2.94 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS HNKM2
- 30-day change
- +6.24 ft
- Average
- 3.50 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 47.60 ft
In brief
The Potomac River at Hancock, MD read 9.31 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 11.69 ft below action stage. That is 6.24 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge HNKM2
At this level: The river is at danger level for boaters as defined by the State of Maryland. At these levels, conditions are extremely hazardous.
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 47.60 ft | 1936-03-18 |
| 2 | 41.20 ft | 1985-11-06 |
| 3 | 40.00 ft | 1889-06-01 |
| 4 | 36.63 ft | 1942-10-16 |
| 5 | 36.26 ft | 1996-01-20 |
| 6 | 35.81 ft | 1996-09-08 |
| 7 | 35.70 ft | 1937-04-27 |
| 8 | 35.00 ft | 1924-05-13 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 3.50 ft
The river reaches caution level for boaters as defined by the State of Maryland. Fast moving water and changing currents can be expected.
- 7.50 ft
The river is at danger level for boaters as defined by the State of Maryland. At these levels, conditions are extremely hazardous.
- 18.50 ft
Water enters the canal prism and blocks the towpath at MP 106.
- 21.00 ft
The boat ramp at Four Locks is covered by water. Half the parking lot there is also covered.
- 24.00 ft
Water begins to overflow into low lying areas.
- 25.00 ft
Water may begin to inundate low points of the CSX Railroad tracks on the West Virginia side of the river due to backwater. Additionally, access to Potomac Airpark may be restricted due to backwater. Water reaches the top of the Hancock boat ramp and begins to spill over into the adjacent parking lot.
- 28.00 ft
Water begins to inundate some yards on the west end of Hancock. Water also begins to collect on the west end of the CSX Railyard on the West Virginia side.
- 30.00 ft
Water begins to inundate homes and business in Hancock. Water covers the road to the maintenance shop for the National Park Service near Hancock. The west end of the Potomac Airpark runway begins to flood.
- 31.00 ft
Water begins to flood low spots of West Main Street in Hancock.
- 33.00 ft
Water floods low spots on East Main Street in Hancock.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Potomac River flooding at Hancock?
No. The Potomac River at Hancock is at 9.31 ft, 11.69 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Hancock?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 21 ft, minor flooding 25 ft, moderate flooding 33 ft and major flooding 35 ft.
What is the highest the Potomac River has been at Hancock?
The highest crest on record is 47.6 ft, on 1936-03-18.
Is the Potomac River high or low right now at Hancock?
At 9.31 ft it is higher than 99% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge HNKM2); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 01613000). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.