Jester2000
03-12-2010, 19:45
For those of you considering hiking in the area this weekend, be aware that there is currently a Flood Watch for Harpers Ferry. The river was at 8.83 feet as of 1pm, but looks to be at about 10 feet now. Flood stage is at 18 feet.
At 16 feet, parts of the C&O Canal towpath will be affected. I expect that they will once again close the bridge over which the AT travels between West Virginia and Maryland.
Current models at the downstream gauge at Point of Rocks predict the river to crest there at 30.9 feet Sunday evening, which for Point of Rocks means about 6 feet over Major Flood Stage.
For Harpers Ferry this most likely means Moderate Flood Stage, probably something on the order of 21-23 feet. Hopefully. It's been raining since last night and is expected to continue through Sunday (3-4 inches total). That combined with the snowmelt will be the issue.
So if you are hiking in this area, be prepared to reroute over the 340 bridge between Virginia and Maryland. And stay dry!
At 16 feet, parts of the C&O Canal towpath will be affected. I expect that they will once again close the bridge over which the AT travels between West Virginia and Maryland.
Current models at the downstream gauge at Point of Rocks predict the river to crest there at 30.9 feet Sunday evening, which for Point of Rocks means about 6 feet over Major Flood Stage.
For Harpers Ferry this most likely means Moderate Flood Stage, probably something on the order of 21-23 feet. Hopefully. It's been raining since last night and is expected to continue through Sunday (3-4 inches total). That combined with the snowmelt will be the issue.
So if you are hiking in this area, be prepared to reroute over the 340 bridge between Virginia and Maryland. And stay dry!