Washington Channel at SW Waterfront (IN MLLW)
Stage at this gauge is reported IN MLLW.
Flood levels
Official flood levels at this gauge: action stage begins at 4.2 ft; minor flooding begins at 5.3 ft; moderate flooding begins at 6.5 ft; major flooding begins at 7.0 ft.
| Action stage | 4.2 ft |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 5.3 ft |
| Moderate flooding | 6.5 ft |
| Major flooding | 7.0 ft |
Highest recorded crests
- 11.1 ft on Oct 17, 1942 (historic crest)
- 10.6 ft on Mar 19, 1936 (historic crest)
- 10.3 ft on Sep 19, 2003 (historic crest)
- 9.9 ft on Aug 23, 1933 (historic crest)
What the water does
National Weather Service impact statements for this gauge, in the Weather Service's own words.
| 3.7 ft | Water begins to overflow the lowest spots along the seawall adjacent to Ohio Drive and the Hains Point Loop Road. |
|---|---|
| 4.2 ft | Lowland flooding is occurring along sporadic portions of the seawall adjacent to Ohio Drive and the Hains Point Loop Road. |
| 5.3 ft | The unprotected area on the Southwest Waterfront at the DC seafood market begins to flood. Water approaches parts of the Hains Point Loop Road, but the road will likely be closed. |
| 6.5 ft | A significant portion of East Potomac Park is flooded, including parts of the Hains Point Loop Road. The road will be closed. The western end of the DC seafood market on the Southwest Waterfront is flooded. A portion of the Navy Yard begins to flood as minor inundation begins along the Anacostia River. |
| 7.0 ft | Water reaches the parking area of the East Potomac Golf Course. In a freshwater flood, water is overflowing the tidal basin at Independence and 17th, and on East Basin Drive near the Jefferson Memorial. |
| 7.5 ft | Water approaches portions of the George Washington Memorial Parkway near the 14th Street bridge. |
| 8.4 ft | Floodwaters cover Ohio Drive on the Potomac side at the railroad bridge. |
| 9.0 ft | Most of East Potomac Park is flooded, including some buildings. Water approaches the World War II Memorial on 17th Street NW. Moderate flooding is occurring on the Anacostia River with roads and buildings impacted. Water approaches the FDR Memorial. Substantial inundation of a portion of the Navy Yard begins, and water approaches taxiways at Reagan National Airport. Maine Avenue begins to flood near the 14th Street bridge. |
| 10.0 ft | Water approaches the southern end of the runways at Reagan National Airport. This is more likely to occur in a tidal flood at this level. Almost all of East Potomac Park is flooded, along with the western half of the Navy Yard. 5th Avenue SW is flooded up to C Street on Fort McNair. Floodwaters threaten the basement of the Jefferson Memorial. |
| 11.0 ft | Floodwaters reach both ends of the north-south runway at Reagan National Airport, and covers some taxiways. The George Washington Parkway is flooded in multiple locations between Arlington National Cemetery and the Airport. Floodwaters approach the back side of a business on the north side of Maine Avenue near I-395. Also, widespread flooding is occurring on the Anacostia, with water on the Navy Yard up to M Street SE. |
| 12.0 ft | Widespread flooding is occurring. Only a few high spots remain dry in East Potomac Park, and around the tidal basin. Floodwaters on Fort McNair go all the way up 5th Avenue. Near the Navy Yard, floodwaters cover past M Street SE. Some runways and taxiways at Reagan National Airport are partially flooded. |
| 15.0 ft | Floodwaters approach the Pentagon East parking area, especially during a freshwater flood. Most of the Reagan National Airport runways are flooded. In a tidal flood, water covers portions of the economy parking at Reagan National Airport, and approaches nearby structures. Water approaches Arnold Avenue at Joint Base Anacostia Bolling. A tidal flood at this height could cause even more widespread flooding of the Base. Most of Fort McNair is flooded. |
Forecast office: NWS Sterling · River Forecast Center: Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center.
A NOAA tide station shares this spot: WASHINGTON, with tide predictions and official flood levels.
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Nearby stations and gauges
- WASHINGTON NOAA tide station · 0.0 mi
- Anacostia River at Buzzard Point in Washington DC NWS gauge · 0.8 mi
- Washington Naval Yard NOAA tide station · 1.4 mi
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- Kingman Lake NOAA tide station · 3.2 mi
- Bellevue NOAA tide station · 3.2 mi