RVA James

James River conditions for Richmond families. Learn more →

Today and the next 3 days. Forecast accuracy decreases beyond tomorrow.

Richmond conditions

Fair day to be out

Swim today

Avoid

Water is 57°F — too cold for safe immersion.

Water 57°F

Feels like

55°F

NormalHeat stress

Next 4h

Clear

No rain expected

Warming

Water temperature
Water 57°F
UV index
UV 2 (low)
Happiness index
Happiness 49

Today's river conditions

Live observations

Real-time gauge readings from the USGS Westham station, refreshed every 15 minutes.

SafeCalm & Normal

3.74ft

Class I-II
210 cfs below seasonal median

River is running normally — good conditions for families at most spots.

River conditions detail

Westham Gauge (Upriver)

Gage height
3.74 ft
Discharge
1,610 cfs
Water temperature
57.2 °F
Last updated
Oct 23, 10:30 AM

Seasonal context (discharge)

p10

762

median

1,820

p90

9,320

Discharge (cfs) for this day of year — USGS historical stats

USGS 02037500 ↗

72-Hour Forecast

✓ No stage thresholds forecast to be exceeded

Peak 3.7 ft · Fri, 2 PMIssued Oct 23, 8:58 AM

Action stage: 9 ft · Flood stage: 12 ft

City Locks (Tidal)

Tidal elevation
0.96 ft NAVD
Last updated
Oct 23, 10:30 AM

Tidal elevation above NAVD 1988 datum. This reading oscillates with the tide (~−2 to +2 ft) and is not comparable to the Westham gage height (different datum). Useful for detecting tidal backwater influence.

USGS 02037705 ↗

Sources & Methodology

  • Gage readings: USGS National Water Information System, refreshed every 15 minutes. Westham (02037500) uses arbitrary gage datum; City Locks (02037705) uses NAVD 1988.
  • Safety thresholds: Deterministic rules engine keyed to Westham gage height. Published flood and advisory thresholds from USGS and NWS.
  • Seasonal percentiles: USGS daily statistics for station 02037500, discharge parameter (00060). Computed from approved daily-mean records. Percentiles update daily.
  • Forecast: NOAA Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (AHPS), gauge RMDV2. 6-hourly forecast points, refreshed hourly. Action stage: 9 ft. Flood stage: 12 ft (minor).
  • Refresh cadence: Gage data — 15 min cron. Percentile data — daily at 03:00 UTC. NOAA forecast — hourly.

Conditions summary

Locations

Browns Island

🔒 Closed

Majority of the island, not Potterfield pedestrian bridge access: Closed for $30M improvement project. Reopens temporarily for Richmond Folk Festival October 9-11, 2026. Full completion early 2027.

Details & resources →

Pipeline Trail

🔒 Closed

Entire trail: Closed by City of Richmond Department of Public Utilities since September 13, 2024 due to safety concerns following a sewage-pipe failure. Closure expected to remain in effect pending infrastructure decisions.

Details & resources →

Texas Beach

🔒 Closed

Access completely blocked: Notice: Pedestrian Bridge at Texas Beach is closed to rehabilitate the access bridge after a failed inspection.

Details & resources →

Ancarrow's Landing

Caution

Gage 3.74 ft — normal range

  • No overflows upstream
  • Hiking / Trail Walk
  • Fishing
  • Bird Watching

Details & resources →

Belle Isle

Caution

Gage 3.74 ft — normal range

  • No overflows upstream
  • Rock-Hopping
  • Belle Isle Pedestrian Bridge
  • Beach / Shore Access
  • +4 more

Details & resources →

Buttermilk Trail

Caution

Gage 3.74 ft — normal range

  • No overflows upstream
  • Hiking / Trail Walk

Details & resources →

Chapel Island

Caution

Gage 3.74 ft — normal range

  • No overflows upstream
  • Hiking / Trail Walk
  • Fishing
  • Bird Watching
  • +1 more

Details & resources →

Dock Street Park

Caution

Gage 3.74 ft — normal range

  • No overflows upstream
  • Hiking / Trail Walk
  • Fishing
  • Bird Watching

Details & resources →

Floodwall Park (Manchester Floodwall Walk)

Caution

Gage 3.74 ft — normal range

  • No overflows upstream
  • Hiking / Trail Walk
  • Bird Watching

Details & resources →

Huguenot Flatwater

Caution

Gage 3.74 ft — normal range

  • No overflows upstream
  • Swimming
  • Hiking / Trail Walk
  • Fishing
  • +2 more

Details & resources →

Manchester Climbing Wall

Caution

Gage 3.74 ft — normal range

  • No overflows upstream
  • Hiking / Trail Walk
  • Rock Climbing
  • Bird Watching

Details & resources →

North Bank Trail

Caution

Gage 3.74 ft — normal range

  • No overflows upstream
  • Rock-Hopping
  • Hiking / Trail Walk

Details & resources →

Pony Pasture Rapids

Caution

Gage 3.74 ft — normal range

  • No overflows upstream
  • Swimming
  • Rock-Hopping
  • Beach / Shore Access
  • +6 more

Details & resources →

Pump House / James River Park Headquarters

Caution

Gage 3.74 ft — normal range

  • No overflows upstream
  • Hiking / Trail Walk

Details & resources →

Reedy Creek (Park HQ Meadow)

Caution

Gage 3.74 ft — normal range

  • No overflows upstream
  • Hiking / Trail Walk
  • Bird Watching

Details & resources →

Riverfront Canal Walk

Caution

Gage 3.74 ft — normal range

  • No overflows upstream
  • Hiking / Trail Walk
  • Bird Watching

Details & resources →

Shiplock Trail / Canal Walk East

Caution

Gage 3.74 ft — normal range

  • No overflows upstream
  • Beach / Shore Access
  • Hiking / Trail Walk

Details & resources →

The Wetlands

Caution

Gage 3.74 ft — normal range

  • No overflows upstream
  • Hiking / Trail Walk
  • Bird Watching

Details & resources →

Tredegar Rope Swing (informal)

Caution

Gage 3.74 ft — normal range

  • No overflows upstream

Details & resources →

Tredegar Street Put-in (Tredegar Boat Ramp)

Caution

Gage 3.74 ft — normal range

  • No overflows upstream
  • Fishing

Details & resources →

Virginia Capital Trail — Richmond Terminus

Caution

Gage 3.74 ft — normal range

  • No overflows upstream
  • Hiking / Trail Walk
  • Bird Watching

Details & resources →