Take care and be aware
River water levels can change within minutes and it is very important to note levels prior to embarking on any river trip, especially those rivers that are dammed. Some reservoirs, like Bluestone Lake near Hinton, WV, hold seasonal floodwaters and release water over time. Sometimes dams hold water back in order to fix something downstream.
Flow Rate: Flow rate is the volume of water passing a point in a fixed period of time. Flow rate is usually measured in cubic feet per second (cfs or ft³/sec) but could also be measured in gallons or liters per minute or second. For example, if a running faucet took one minute to fill a gallon container, its flow rate would be 1 gallon per minute. Water flow in a stream, river or pipe also has a flow rate.
The flow rate in a river, stream or pipe can be determined by multiplying water velocity by the cross-sectional area. For example, if water was flowing through a 1 foot diameter pipe (area = 0.8 ft2) at 5 feet per second, the flow rate would be 0.8 ft2 x 5 ft/sec = 4 ft3/sec.
New River Downstream Forcasts
Forecast information shows water release information from the Claytor dam, delayed to account for the average time it takes the released water to reach particular points downstream. Water travel times may be affected by water conditions, precipitation in the watershed and other factors.
More information can be found HERE
USGS Current Water Data for US
Current data typically are recorded at 15- to 60-minute intervals, stored onsite, and then transmitted to USGS offices every 1 to 4 hours, depending on the data relay technique used. Recording and transmission times may be more frequent during critical events. Data from current sites are relayed to USGS offices via satellite, telephone, and/or radio telemetry and are available for viewing within minutes of arrival.
Check info HERE
New River Gages
Water information is fundamental to national and local economic well-being, protection of life and property, and effective management of the Nation’s water resources. The USGS works with partners to monitor, assess, conduct targeted research, and deliver information on a wide range of water resources and conditions including streamflow, groundwater, water quality, and water use and availability.
Use the map on this page to scroll to a location nearest you.
Use this link to find New River level forecasts. Toggle upstream or downstream on the graph to find a location nearest you.
Water Cycle Education
On October 13th 2022, the USGS released a new water cycle diagram. This update re-envisions the water cycle, placing human activities at the forefront. We designed it to emphasize scientific accuracy, information design, and usability in educational settings. We hope that students of all ages better understand how humans affect where water is on Earth and how it moves, so that we can work towards using water more sustainably. This diagram provides a jumping-off point for people to relate to the hydrologic cycle. It informs how people understand where water is stored (pools) and how it moves between those locations (fluxes)
More information HERE