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SwedenNorth Branch Potomac River at Barnum water level
River gauge, North Branch Potomac River, West Virginia, United States
Right now
High for mid-October
Water level
- Flow
- 351 cfs
- Water temperature
- 58 °F
History
What this means
The North Branch Potomac River at Barnum is above normal at 3.26 ft.
The level has held steady over the past 24 hours. In the last month it has stayed between 3.25 ft and 3.28 ft.
That stands out in fall, when many rivers are usually near their lowest. The sensor also reports a water temperature of 58 °F.
Compared with 5 years of daily readings for this time of year. How to read levels
Key numbers
- Highest on record
- 13.37 ftJuly 3, 1978
Floating and fishing near North Branch Potomac River at Barnum
Experienced paddlers may enjoy higher water, but many outfitters stop rentals once a river runs this high.
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Level | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 13.37 ft | July 3, 1978 |
| 2 | 9.86 ft | December 8, 1972 |
| 3 | 9.70 ft | March 7, 1967 |
| 4 | 9.30 ft | May 24, 1968 |
| 5 | 9.06 ft | October 9, 1976 |
| 6 | 8.92 ft | March 30, 1995 |
Weather at the gauge
The forecast is not available right now.
Map
Other gauges on the North Branch Potomac River
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Branch Potomac River at SteyerRiver gauge, North Branch Potomac River | 2.73 ft | Below flood stage | −0.06 ft | 14 mi |
| North Branch Potomac River at KitzmillerRiver gauge, North Branch Potomac River | 3.03 ft | Below flood stage | −0.11 ft | 5.2 mi |
| North Branch Potomac River at LukeRiver gauge, North Branch Potomac River | 2.02 ft | Below flood stage | −0.02 ft | 3.4 mi |
| North Branch Potomac River near CumberlandRiver gauge, North Branch Potomac River | 2.76 ft | Below flood stage | −0.02 ft | 22 mi |
Nearby gauges
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Savage River below Savage River Dam near BloomingtonRiver gauge, Savage River | 74.2 cfs | Normal | ±0 | 4.0 mi |
| Georges Creek at FranklinRiver gauge, Georges Creek | 2.06 ft | Below flood stage | −0.03 ft | 5.1 mi |
| Abram Creek at OakmontRiver gauge, Abram Creek | 3.06 ft | Below flood stage | −0.05 ft | 7 mi |
| Savage River near BartonRiver gauge, Savage River | 26.1 cfs | Normal | −3.5 cfs | 9 mi |
| North Glade Run near SwantonRiver gauge, North Glade Run | 2.4 cfs | Normal | −0.3 cfs | 9 mi |
| Arrowhead Run at ThayervilleRiver gauge, Arrowhead Run | 0.8 cfs | Normal | −0.1 cfs | 12 mi |
| Cherry Creek at State Park Road near McHenryRiver gauge, Cherry Creek | 11.1 cfs | Normal | −1.6 cfs | 13 mi |
Questions and answers
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 North Branch Potomac River at Barnum today?
On Oct 19, 2026, 07:25 PM EDT, the water level was 3.26 ft. Steady over the last 24 hours.
Is North Branch Potomac River at Barnum rising or falling?
Steady over the last 24 hours.
Is the level of North Branch Potomac River at Barnum normal?
High for mid-October. Compared with 5 years of daily readings for this time of year.
What is the highest water level ever recorded at North Branch Potomac River at Barnum?
The highest level on record is 13.37 ft on July 3, 1978.
How often is this data updated?
The U.S. Geological Survey publishes a new reading every 15 minutes. This page refreshes within minutes of each update.
Where does this data come from?
The values come directly from the U.S. Geological Survey, the official operator of this gauge, and are in the public domain. We do not estimate or model live values.
For specialists
Station codes, datum, parameters, data quality and downloads
- Operator
- U.S. Geological Survey
- Station code
usgs:01595800(Agency page)- Coordinates
39.44511, -79.11081(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 | 3.26 ft | 2026-10-19 23:25 | Provisional |
| Flow | 351 cfs | 2026-10-19 23:25 | Provisional |
| Water temperature | 58 °F | 2026-10-19 23:25 | Provisional |
Download
Embed this gauge
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How to cite
U.S. Geological Survey: North Branch Potomac River at Barnum (usgs:01595800). Accessed October 19, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/west-virginia/north-branch-potomac-river-at-barnum
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