Beginning Jan. 31, 2025, significant rainfall fell across most of West Virginia on top of 3-6 inches of snowpack resulting in moderate flooding throughout the state. A second front passed thru Feb. 5-6 dumping an additional 2-4 inches of rain on already saturated basins resulting in even higher water. Several crews from the Charleston Field Office responded and were able to collect high flow measurements at the following sites, some of which were the highest measurements ever for the period of record.

Charleston Field office technicians Logan Jarrell, Garrett Rakes, Carson Wright, Wes Justice, James Scott, and Fred Brogan were out during and after the Feb. 5 and 6 rains to collect measurements to verify peak flows at several stream gage stations. Tracking peak flows are key for the USGS to refine flow records for gaging stations. Site visits are routinely used to verify that gage recording systems are recording accurately. In high flows, a gage may be washed away, or may be too difficult to measure, as was Piney Creek at Raleigh WV on Feb.8, and on Feb 16 the peak flow was even higher after a third rainstorm. Laurel Creek at Fenwick WV recorded the highest direct measurement for the period of record. The Gauley River Nr Craigsville WV was measured at 17.18 ft, 14,300 cfs, which although was not the peak for the day at that location. It was however an important high flow measurement and is being used to define a new rating curve given the past one has been unstable since the flood in 2016. Twelve Pole Creek at Wayne WV was measured at the highest point ever measured on that river, which has been in operation for 81 years. This was very near the peak flow for that day as well. But for Hurricane River at Hurricane WV, it was both the highest measured stage (18.63 ft) and flow (3380 Cubic feet per second) ever at that site.

These measurements taken by our science crews who are hard at work out in the field most weeks, provide valuable information about the stage to discharge relationship. That information is used to the benefit of our cooperators, in matters of personal safety, highways, and environmental requirements among other uses. These cooperators include the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, and the Corps of Engineers, Huntington District.

We do science in the public interest and like to share these achievements when and where we can.