USGS Station 01638500 • Lat 39.2736°, Long -77.5431° • Elevation Maryland Basin
Flow is in the bottom decile (below 10th percentile). Expect shallow sections, exposed rocks, and slower current.
Flow is in the lowest historical decile. Expect skinny-water presentations and higher wading pressure on fish.
Conditions change quickly. Always verify locally and use your own judgment before entering any body of water. This data is informational only and provided as-is.
Potomac River at Point of Rocks, MD
View High-Res PhotoPins show this gauge (highlighted) and up to 5 nearby USGS stations. Tap any pin or use the list to check conditions upstream or downstream.
Shenandoah River at Millville, WV
USGS Station 01636500 • 13.1729392835003 mi away
Potomac River near Washington, DC
USGS Station 01646500 • 31.9634655247507 mi away
South Fork Shenandoah River at Front Royal, VA
USGS Station 01631000 • 43.5802143641943 mi away
South Branch Potomac River near Springfield, WV
USGS Station 01608500 • 60.5528090194472 mi away
Susquehanna River at Conowingo, MD
USGS Station 01578310 • 77.6839348236912 mi away
Guide or outfit trips near Potomac River at Point of Rocks, MD?
Connect directly with river runners checking water levels on station #01638500.
Verified answers based on USGS station #01638500 live telemetry and historical statistics.
The current water level (stage height) at Potomac River at Point of Rocks, MD (USGS #01638500) is 1.07 ft with a streamflow discharge of 1,310 CFS. Real-time condition is rated Low (slightly below average for this specific day of the year) and stream levels are holding steady.
Normal seasonal flow for Potomac River at Point of Rocks, MD is determined from decades of USGS daily-mean discharge percentiles. Flow between the 10th percentile (2,195 CFS) and 75th percentile (9,765 CFS) is classified as Normal, with the historical daily mean flow being 1,580 CFS for this date.
The official National Weather Service (NWS) flood stage for USGS #01638500 is 11 feet. With current water level at 1.07 ft, this station is currently below flood stage (margin of 9.9 ft).
USGS gauge #01638500 (Potomac River at Point of Rocks, MD) is located at latitude 39.2736°, longitude -77.5431° in Maryland. Data is transmitted via USGS GOES satellite telemetry every 15 to 60 minutes and refreshed automatically on ClearGauge every 15 minutes.
Current flow is rated Low. Flow is below normal seasonal levels. Expect shallow shoals, exposed bedrock, and slower navigation. Always inspect rapids in person, wear a USCG-approved PFD, and check weather alerts before launching.
National Water Information System (NWIS) • Automated satellite telemetry transmission every 15 to 60 minutes.
Live readings via USGS satellite telemetry, updated every 15–60 minutes. Low / Normal / High verdicts are based on the 10th and 75th percentile discharge thresholds from the USGS Daily Statistics Service (decades of approved daily-mean data). Flood Risk uses the NWS published flood stage where available. Full methodology →
River Safety Notice
River conditions can change abruptly due to upstream reservoir releases, sudden mountain thunderstorms, flash flooding, and seasonal snowmelt surges. Always scout rapids prior to commitment, wear an approved USCG Type III/V Personal Flotation Device (PFD), carry appropriate rescue gear, and check local emergency management bulletins before launching.
