River Flows for Hydro Plants
You may track, on an hourly basis, water levels and flows of the recreational rivers and lakes near AEP's hydroelectric facilities. See a map of our plant locations.
Explanation of Terms
- The "Forebay" and "Tailwater" numbers show the feet above sea level of the water levels immediately upstream and downstream from our plants.
- "Tailwater Flow" is the hourly average of the river flow just downstream of the plants, measured in cubic feet per second.
New River Flows & Forecasts
Water release information for AEP's Claytor, Buck, and Byllesby hydro dams is updated every fifteen minutes. Forecast information is estimated. Water travel times may be affected by water conditions, precipitation in the watershed and other factors.
Most Recent Conditions
| Project | Normal Full Pond | Forebay Actual (Feet) | Tail Water (Feet) | Tail Water (CFS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buck | 2003.40 | 2002.72 | 1960.90 | 1897 |
| Byllesby | 2079.20 | 2078.64 | 2020.87 | 1785 |
| Claytor | 1846.00 | 1845.70 | 1731.11 | 3793 |
Downstream Forecasts
Forecast information shows water release information from the Claytor Dam, delayed to account for the average time it takes the released water to reach particular points downstream. Water travel times may be affected by water conditions, precipitation in the watershed and other factors.
Kanawha River
| Project | Normal Full Pond | Forebay Actual (Feet) | Tail Water (Feet) | Tail Water (CFS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London | 614.00 | 614.37 | 592.53 | 9814 |
| Marmet | 590.00 | 589.84 | 569.73 | 6164 |
| Winfield | 566.00 | 566.33 | 542.26 | 7805 |
Roanoke River
| Project | Normal Full Pond | Forebay Actual (Feet) | Tail Water (Feet) | Tail Water (CFS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Niagara | 885.00 | 885.41 | – | – |
| Smith Mountain | 795.00 | 790.68 | 603.70 | – |
| Leesville | 613.00.00 | 604.15 | 531.64 | 950 |
Saint Joseph River
| Project | Normal Full Pond | Forebay Actual (Feet) | Tail Water (Feet) | Tail Water (CFS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constantine | 782.90 | 783.02 | 771.32 | – |
| Mottville | Summer: 770.40 Winter: 770.00 | 770.44 | 758.65 | 1249 |
| Elkhart | 741.50 winter: 739.50 | 739.55 | 721.66 | – |
| Twin Branch | 717.10 | 716.97 | 696.02 | 1999 |
| Buchanan | Summer: 637.50 Winter: 637.00 | 637.17 | 624.64 | 2412 |
| Berrien Springs | 623.50 | 623.53 | 598.74 | 3211 |
Plant–Specific Notices
As of 05:00 this morning, Saturday February 14, 2026, inflow to the Smith Mountain Project was 957 CFS and the discharge from Leesville was 955 CFS. The adjusted reservoir elevations was 791.2 ft. The flow rate at the USGS Gauge at Brookneal was 1050 CFS, Stage 4.80 ft. and at Altavista 1120 CFS, Stage 2.45 ft.
ROANOKE, Va., Feb. 13, 2026 —Appalachian Power Company (APCo) will conduct a required test of its electricity generating units at the Smith Mountain Dam, beginning in the early morning hours on Monday, Feb. 16. Testing, which is required twice a year, will decrease the Smith Mountain Lake by approximately two feet. APCo will begin pumping water back into Smith Mountain Lake (from Leesville Lake) later in the afternoon on Monday, and as conditions allow. The “pump back” process is expected to be completed sometime on Wednesday, Feb. 18. The test was originally planned for Monday, Feb. 9; however, PJM Interconnection, the regional transmission organization that coordinates the movement of wholesale electricity in the mid-Atlantic region, requested APCo to reschedule the test due to demand on the power grid. “We’re routinely coordinating with PJM, and sometimes we need to adjust the Smith Mountain Lake Project’s operations to keep the entire system safe and reliable,” said Bob Jessee, vice president of generating assets. “APCo will follow PJM’s directions and will work to minimize any impact to customers. No action is needed from our customers; if the test or any dispatch changes could affect service, we will notify customers with details and timing.” Due to ongoing drought conditions, the water surface elevation is lower than normal. As a result of these lower levels, recreational boat users who launch from one of the public boat ramps on Smith Mountain Lake early Monday morning, may not be able to get their boat back onto the trailer when they return to the ramp. Increased flow from Leesville Dam will occur, as necessary, to conduct the test. Those considering recreating on the rivers should monitor AEP’s website for additional information.