River stage
Paw Paw, Potomac River
- River level
- 9.69 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- +5.78 ft
- Recent high
- 10.89 ft
- Recent low
- 3.61 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS PAWW2
- 30-day change
- +5.89 ft
- Average
- 4.42 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 54.00 ft
In brief
The Potomac River at Paw Paw, WV read 9.69 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 12.81 ft below action stage. That is 5.89 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge PAWW2
At this level: The river reaches caution level for boaters as defined by the State of Maryland. Fast moving water and current changes can be expected.
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 54.00 ft | 1936-03-18 |
| 2 | 53.58 ft | 1985-11-05 |
| 3 | 45.00 ft | 1889-06-01 |
| 4 | 45.00 ft | 1877-11-24 |
| 5 | 43.50 ft | 1924-03-29 |
| 6 | 43.45 ft | 1996-09-07 |
| 7 | 40.86 ft | 1996-01-20 |
| 8 | 38.36 ft | 1942-10-16 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 5.00 ft
The river reaches caution level for boaters as defined by the State of Maryland. Fast moving water and current changes can be expected.
- 11.00 ft
The river reaches danger level for boaters as defined by the State of Maryland. At danger level, conditions are considered extremely hazardous.
- 22.50 ft
Water reaches the top of the boat ramp in Paw Paw Festival Park.
- 25.00 ft
A parking area adjacent to the highway bridge begins to flood. The roadway to the C&O Canal parking area floods, as does the lowest end of the Purslane Run hiker/biker area.
- 26.00 ft
Water covers an access road on the West Virginia side.
- 30.00 ft
Paw Paw Tunnel Campground begins to flood.
- 34.00 ft
Water reaches the settling pond next to Paw Paw Park.
- 37.00 ft
Floodwaters cover both West Virginia Route 9 and Maryland Route 51. Businesses in the town of Paw Paw begin to flood.
- 40.00 ft
The right bank of the river floods extensive sections of the town of Paw Paw, north of the B&O Railroad. The towpath of the C&O Canal also begins to flood.
- 46.00 ft
Water approaches the intersection of West Virginia Route 9 and Winchester Street in Paw Paw.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Potomac River flooding at Paw Paw?
No. The Potomac River at Paw Paw is at 9.69 ft, 12.81 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Paw Paw?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 22.5 ft, minor flooding 25 ft, moderate flooding 30 ft and major flooding 37 ft.
What is the highest the Potomac River has been at Paw Paw?
The highest crest on record is 54.0 ft, on 1936-03-18.
Is the Potomac River high or low right now at Paw Paw?
At 9.69 ft it is higher than 98% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge PAWW2); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 01610000). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.