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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

ProjectNormal Full PondForebay Actual (Feet)Tail Water (Feet)Tail Water (CFS)
Buck2003.401996.041937.673193
Byllesby2079.202072.372020.873141
Claytor1846.001845.761731.252841
See plant-specific notices below. Data last updated on Jan 15 2025, 1:21 AM EST. Tail water (cfs) is last hour average.

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

ProjectNormal Full PondForebay Actual (Feet)Tail Water (Feet)Tail Water (CFS)
London614.00613.91590.974920
Marmet590.00590.09567.137172
Winfield566.00566.23539.299687
See plant-specific notices below. Data last updated on Jan 15 2025, 1:21 AM EST. Tail water (cfs) is last hour average.

Roanoke River

ProjectNormal Full PondForebay Actual (Feet)Tail Water (Feet)Tail Water (CFS)
Niagara885.00884.87
Smith Mountain795.00794.62602.07
Leesville613.00.00602.48533.97949
See plant-specific notices below. Data last updated on Jan 15 2025, 1:21 AM EST. Tail water (cfs) is last hour average.

Saint Joseph River

ProjectNormal Full PondForebay Actual (Feet)Tail Water (Feet)Tail Water (CFS)
Constantine782.90782.85771.27
MottvilleSummer: 770.40
Winter: 770.00
770.37758.561049
Elkhart741.50
winter: 739.50
739.54721.55
Twin Branch717.10716.93696.082022
BuchananSummer: 637.50
Winter: 637.00
637.24624.501931
Berrien Springs623.50623.49598.412626
See plant-specific notices below. Data last updated on Jan 15 2025, 1:21 AM EST. Tail water (cfs) is last hour average.

Plant–Specific Notices

As of 05:00 this morning, Tuesday January 14, 2025, inflow to the Smith Mountain Project was 871 CFS and the discharge from Leesville was 821 CFS. The adjusted reservoir elevations was 795.0 ft. The flow rate at the USGS Gauge at Brookneal was 1190 CFS, Stage 4.75 ft. and at Altavista 1210 CFS, Stage 2.52 ft.

ROANOKE, VA., Jan 13, 2025 - Appalachian Power wants recreational users downstream of Claytor and Leesville dams to know water levels on the New and Roanoke rivers could rise rapidly starting at 7 a.m., Tuesday Jan. 14, and continue to fluctuate throughout the week and possibly into early next week. The National Weather Service is forecasting cold temperatures, and PJM, the independent regional transmission organization that manages the electric grid in 13 states, has notified Appalachian Power it may need to increase power generation at its hydroelectric plants to maintain the reliability of the regional electric grid if called upon to do so. Below Claytor Dam, water levels could increase up to two feet in a matter of minutes. Water levels below Leesville Dam could increase as much as eight feet over a seven-hour period. Those considering recreating on the rivers should monitor AEP's website for additional information and follow us on Smith Mountain or Claytor Facebook pages for updates.