What is the current flow on James River?
James River is currently flowing at 417 cfs at USGS gauge 02019500 as of Nov 15, 11:00 PM UTC.
James River at Buchanan Water Level & Fishing Conditions
Water level (gauge height) · Live from USGS
2.02 ft
Flow 417 cfs · Lower than typical for this date · as of
Today's fishing outlook
Fair conditions for fishing
Flow lower than typical for this date (based on flow vs. seasonal norms)
Flow is 417 cfs — lower than typical for this date (typical median: 728.5 cfs).
Flow
417 cfs
Gauge Height
2.02 ft
Water Temp
temporarily unavailable
About This Gauge
USGS 02019500 is a public stream gauge on James River in Virginia. Waderly uses this page as the canonical landing page for flow, water level, and fishing-condition checks on this water. There are 3 same-waterway gauges nearby for upstream and downstream comparison.
How James River Runs Through the Year
Across 116 years of USGS daily records, James River here runs highest in March (typically about 3,130 cfs) and lowest in October (about 580 cfs). High water comes with spring rain and thaw, then the stream drops through summer; the peak month carries about 5 times the flow of October.
| Month | Typical flow |
|---|---|
| January | 2,000 cfs |
| February | 2,610 cfs |
| March | 3,130 cfs |
| April | 2,610 cfs |
| May | 2,020 cfs |
| June | 1,120 cfs |
| July | 790 cfs |
| August | 690 cfs |
| September | 590 cfs |
| October | 580 cfs |
| November (this month) | 780 cfs |
| December | 1,430 cfs |
Typical flow is the average of the USGS daily median for each day of the month at this gauge.
James River Flood and Flow Records
The highest flow USGS has recorded at this gauge is 179,000 cfs, on November 5, 1985. The water stood 38.84 ft on the gauge that day. Annual peak records here run from 1878 to 2025.
Gauges Along James River
USGS runs 14 gauges on James River, listed here from upstream to downstream. This gauge measures runoff from 2,073 square miles of watershed.
- JAMES RIVER AT LICK RUN, VA · drains 1,371 sq mi
- JAMES RIVER AT BUCHANAN, VA · this gauge · drains 2,073 sq mi
- JAMES RIVER AT BEDFORD DAM NR MAJOR, VA · drains 3,070 sq mi
- JAMES RIVER AT BLUE RIDGE PKWY NR BIG ISLAND, VA · drains 3,076 sq mi
- JAMES RIVER AT HOLCOMB ROCK, VA · drains 3,256 sq mi
- JAMES RIVER AT BENT CREEK, VA · drains 3,649 sq mi
- JAMES RIVER AT SCOTTSVILLE, VA · drains 4,581 sq mi
- JAMES RIVER AT CARTERSVILLE, VA · drains 6,252 sq mi
- JAMES RIVER AND KANAWHA CANAL NEAR RICHMOND, VA · drains 67 sq mi
- JAMES RIVER NEAR RICHMOND, VA · drains 6,753 sq mi
- JAMES RIVER AT CITY LOCKS AT RICHMOND, VA · drains 6,798 sq mi
- JAMES RIVER ABV WEYANOKE POINT NR CHARLES CITY, VA
- JAMES RIVER AT JAMESTOWN FERRY PIER, VA · drains 9,404 sq mi
- JAMES RIVER AT FORT MONROE, VA
Waderly combines real-time USGS stream gauges with weather, barometric pressure trends, and solunar activity so you know what the water is doing before you go. The "typical" comparison above is an approximation based on the historical daily median flow for this date at this gauge.
Other Nearby Gauges
- CRAIG CREEK AT PARR, VA · 15.8 mi
- TINKER CREEK NEAR DALEVILLE, VA · 16.1 mi
- POAGUE RUN NEAR GLASGOW, VA · 16.8 mi
- BIG OTTER RIVER NEAR BEDFORD, VA · 18.3 mi
- CATAWBA CREEK NEAR CATAWBA, VA · 18.4 mi
Frequently Asked Questions
Is James River above or below normal right now?
James River is lower than typical for this date. The current flow is 417 cfs, compared with a typical median of 728.5 cfs for this date.
What is the water temperature on James River?
This USGS gauge is not currently reporting water temperature for James River, so this page does not show a live water-temperature reading.
What other gauges should I check near James River?
Other gauges on James River worth checking include JAMES RIVER AT BEDFORD DAM NR MAJOR, VA (16.9 miles away), JAMES RIVER AT BLUE RIDGE PKWY NR BIG ISLAND, VA (17.2 miles away), JAMES RIVER AT LICK RUN, VA (17.8 miles away). Same-waterway gauges are usually the best upstream and downstream cross-check when you are deciding whether conditions are improving or dropping out.
When is James River highest and lowest?
Across 116 years of USGS daily records, James River here runs highest in March (typically about 3,130 cfs) and lowest in October (about 580 cfs). High water comes with spring rain and thaw, then the stream drops through summer; the peak month carries about 5 times the flow of October.
What is the highest flow ever recorded on James River?
The highest flow USGS has recorded at this gauge is 179,000 cfs, on November 5, 1985. The water stood 38.84 ft on the gauge that day. Annual peak records here run from 1878 to 2025.
Is James River good for fishing today?
Conditions rate Fair right now: Flow lower than typical for this date (based on flow vs. seasonal norms). This assessment combines current flow vs. seasonal norms.
See the full picture for James River
Open the live map to see James River alongside weather, forecast, nearby gauges, and everything else Waderly tracks for the water.
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