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SwedenPotomac River at Point of Rocks water level
River gauge, Potomac River, Maryland, United States
Right now
Below flood stage
Water level
- Flow
- 4,520 cfs
- Water temperature
- 59 °F
History
The forecast expects the river to rise to 2.50 ft by Tuesday, October 20 at 02:00 AM. Issued Monday, October 19 at 10:19 AM by NOAA National Weather Service.
What this means
The Potomac River at Point of Rocks is at 2.37 ft, in the normal range.
It is 13.63 ft below the flood stage of 16.00 ft.
It has dropped 0.15 ft over the past 24 hours. The forecast expects the river to rise to 2.50 ft by Tuesday, October 20 at 02:00 AM. In the last month it has stayed between 2.37 ft and 3.46 ft.
The sensor also reports a water temperature of 59 °F.
Judged against the official flood stage for this gauge. How to read levels
Key numbers
- Highest on record
- 41.03 ftMarch 19, 1936
- Forecast peak
- 2.50 ftTuesday, October 20 at 02:00 AM
Floating and fishing near Potomac River at Point of Rocks
Normal flows mean predictable rapids and good access at most put-ins.
Flood stage here is 16.00 ft, 13.63 ft above the current reading. Beyond it, the National Weather Service also defines moderate and major flood stages.
What happens at each level
- 40.00 ft
- Water reaches the lowest portion of the city of Brunswick, above the railroad tracks.
- 35.00 ft
- The MARC station in Point of Rocks is flooded. At least two feet of water covers much of Maryland State Route 28 in the city. Water begins to enter homes and businesses in Point of Rocks along Route 28.
- 32.00 ft
- Water covers Maryland State Route 28 in Point of Rocks near the MARC station.
- 31.00 ft
- Water reaches the MARC parking lot at Brunswick.
- 30.00 ft
- Water reaches a home on the Loudoun County side of the river near Point of Rocks. Water also reaches the Brunswick train yard and covers portions of the MARC parking lot at Point of Rocks, and covers Old Commerce Street in Point of Rocks.
- 29.00 ft
- Water completely covers the comfort station at the Point of Rocks boat ramp.
- 27.00 ft
- Water covers a large section of the C&O Canal towpath in Frederick County, Maryland. Water also reaches the railroad tracks at Point of Rocks.
- 25.00 ft
- Water reaches outbuildings on the Loudoun County side of the river near Point of Rocks.
- 23.00 ft
- Floodwaters completely cover the comfort station at the Brunswick boat ramp, and reach the comfort station at the Point of Rocks boat ramp. The upper parking lot at the Point of Rocks boat ramp begins to flood.
- 22.00 ft
- Water begins to cover the C&O Canal towpath near Point of Rocks and Brunswick.
- 20.00 ft
- The boat ramp and lower parking lot at Point of Rocks are flooded. Water approaches the water treatment plant in Brunswick. Farmland behind the Tarara Vineyard is flooded.
- 18.00 ft
- Water approaches structures at the Brunswick campground.
- 2.37 ft
- Right now
Impact statements from the U.S. National Weather Service.
Highest crests on record
Chance of at least minor flooding in October to December: 17 %.
| Rank | Level | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 41.03 ft | March 19, 1936 |
| 2 | 40.43 ft | October 16, 1942 |
| 3 | 40.20 ft | June 2, 1889 |
| 4 | 37.43 ft | June 23, 1972 |
| 5 | 36.34 ft | January 21, 1996 |
| 6 | 36.28 ft | November 7, 1985 |
| 7 | 36.26 ft | September 8, 1996 |
| 8 | 33.86 ft | April 27, 1937 |
| 9 | 32.20 ft | May 13, 1924 |
| 10 | 29.08 ft | August 20, 1955 |
Weather at the gauge
No rain in the last 3 days.
Forecast: Open-Meteo
Map
Other gauges on the Potomac River
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Potomac River at Paw PawRiver gauge, Potomac River | 5.48 ft | Below flood stage | −0.30 ft | 52 mi |
| Potomac River at HancockRiver gauge, Potomac River | 4.41 ft | Below flood stage | −0.27 ft | 45 mi |
| Potomac River at ShepherdstownRiver gauge, Potomac River | 2.94 ft | Below flood stage | −0.23 ft | 18 mi |
| Potomac River at Harpers FerryRiver gauge, Potomac River | 2.03 ft | No reference yet | −0.35 ft | 10 mi |
| Potomac River at Burkittsville Road at BrunswickRiver gauge, Potomac River | 3.25 ft | No reference yet | −0.16 ft | 5.3 mi |
| Potomac River at Edwards Ferry near PoolesvilleRiver gauge, Potomac River | 4.64 ft | Below flood stage | −0.19 ft | 13 mi |
| Potomac River near Wash, Dc Little Falls Pump StationRiver gauge, Potomac River | 3.43 ft | Below flood stage | −0.09 ft | 32 mi |
| Potomac River at Wisconsin Ave, WashingtonEstuary gauge, Potomac River | 1.77 ft | Below flood stage | +0.43 ft | 36 mi |
Nearby gauges
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catoctin Creek at TaylorstownRiver gauge, Catoctin Creek | 2.80 ft | Below flood stage | −0.02 ft | 2.2 mi |
| North F Catoctin Creek at RT 681 near WaterfordRiver gauge, North F Catoctin Creek | 1.86 ft | Below flood stage | +0.02 ft | 6 mi |
| South F Catoctin Creek at RT 698 near WaterfordRiver gauge, South F Catoctin Creek | 0.71 ft | Below flood stage | −0.04 ft | 7 mi |
| Limestone Branch near LeesburgRiver gauge, Limestone Branch | 0.45 ft | Below flood stage | ±0 | 7 mi |
| Bennett Creek at Park MillsRiver gauge, Bennett Creek | 1.65 ft | Below flood stage | −0.01 ft | 7 mi |
| Piney Run near LovettsvilleRiver gauge, Piney Run | 1.50 ft | Below flood stage | ±0 | 10 mi |
| Catoctin Creek near MiddletownRiver gauge, Catoctin Creek | 1.60 ft | Below flood stage | −0.01 ft | 11 mi |
| Tenmile Creek near BoydsRiver gauge, Tenmile Creek | 2.18 ft | Below flood stage | ±0 | 13 mi |
Questions and answers
What is flood stage for the Potomac River at Point of Rocks?
The official flood stage is 16.00 ft. The level is currently 13.63 ft below it.
Is gage height the same as water depth?
No. Gage height is measured from a fixed reference point chosen by the agency, so a reading of 10 ft does not mean the river is 10 ft deep.
What is the water level of Potomac River at Point of Rocks today?
On Oct 20, 2026, 05:55 AM EDT, the water level was 2.37 ft. Down 0.15 ft over the last 24 hours.
Is Potomac River at Point of Rocks rising or falling?
Down 0.15 ft over the last 24 hours.
Is the level of Potomac River at Point of Rocks normal?
Below flood stage. Judged against the official flood stage for this gauge.
What is the highest water level ever recorded at Potomac River at Point of Rocks?
The highest level on record is 41.03 ft on March 19, 1936.
Is Potomac River at Point of Rocks expected to rise?
The forecast expects the river to rise to 2.50 ft by Tuesday, October 20 at 02:00 AM.
For specialists
Station codes, datum, parameters, data quality and downloads
- Operator
- U.S. Geological Survey
- Station code
usgs:01638500(Agency page)- Coordinates
39.27358, -77.54311(WGS84)- Vertical datum
- NAVD88
- Update interval
- every 15 minutes
- Licence
- Public domain. Data: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), provisional data subject to revision
Published series
| Parameter | Last value | Time (UTC) | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water level | 2.37 ft | 2026-10-20 09:55 | Provisional |
| Flow | 4,520 cfs | 2026-10-20 09:55 | Provisional |
| Water temperature | 59 °F | 2026-10-20 09:55 | Provisional |
Download
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How to cite
U.S. Geological Survey: Potomac River at Point of Rocks (usgs:01638500). Accessed October 20, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/maryland/potomac-river-at-point-of-rocks
How we check values
Each reading is stored as published. We hold back values that jump faster than physically plausible and show the measurement time with every value.
Readings are provisional, can be delayed or wrong and are not a flood warning. Read the disclaimer