Potomac River at Hancock
Flood levels
Official flood levels at this gauge: action stage begins at 21.0 ft; minor flooding begins at 25.0 ft; moderate flooding begins at 33.0 ft; major flooding begins at 35.0 ft.
| Action stage | 21.0 ft |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 25.0 ft |
| Moderate flooding | 33.0 ft |
| Major flooding | 35.0 ft |
Highest recorded crests
- 47.6 ft on Mar 18, 1936 (historic crest)
- 41.2 ft on Nov 6, 1985 (historic crest)
- 40.0 ft on Jun 1, 1889 (historic crest)
- 36.6 ft on Oct 16, 1942 (historic crest)
What the water does
National Weather Service impact statements for this gauge, in the Weather Service's own words.
| 3.5 ft | The river reaches caution level for boaters as defined by the State of Maryland. Fast moving water and changing currents can be expected. |
|---|---|
| 7.5 ft | The river is at danger level for boaters as defined by the State of Maryland. At these levels, conditions are extremely hazardous. |
| 18.5 ft | Water enters the canal prism and blocks the towpath at MP 106. |
| 21.0 ft | The boat ramp at Four Locks is covered by water. Half the parking lot there is also covered. |
| 24.0 ft | Water begins to overflow into low lying areas. |
| 25.0 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. |
| 28.0 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. |
| 30.0 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. |
| 31.0 ft | Water begins to flood low spots of West Main Street in Hancock. |
| 33.0 ft | Water floods low spots on East Main Street in Hancock. |
| 35.0 ft | Water inundates 20 to 30 homes and 5 or more businesses in the west end of Hancock. |
| 40.0 ft | Water floods 25 to 30 homes along the West Virginia side of the river just downstream from Hancock, and at least another 20 to 30 in Hancock itself. |
| 45.0 ft | Floodwater isolates the town of Hancock. |
| 46.0 ft | Water floods the railroad depot. |
| 56.0 ft | Water approaches the highest point on Main Street. |
Forecast office: NWS Sterling · River Forecast Center: Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center.
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