Jackson River at Covington
Virginia · Fishing & wading
Measured at USGS 02011800 — JACKSON RIVER BL GATHRIGHT DAM NR HOT SPGS, VA
Reading taken Jul 28, 11:30 PM UTC
Below normal — good wading, low and clear
At 240 CFS, this gauge is running 88% of normal for late July — close to the 273 CFS median USGS has recorded for this date across 46 years of record (1980–2026).
Data-derived guidance from USGS and NWS published values — not official advice, and not a safety assessment.
Sponsor Jackson River
Put your outfitter, guide service, cabin rental or shuttle in front of everyone checking this stretch before they drive out. One exclusive sponsor per river.
Cancel anytime · Questions?
12 months of flow at Covington
Daily values from USGS gauge 02011800. Provisional data, subject to revision.
About Jackson River at Covington
This gauge measures Jackson River at Covington, Virginia — the reading paddlers, anglers and outfitters on this stretch check before committing to a shuttle.
Gathright Dam pulse releases; waders must check.
Raw CFS means little on its own, so every reading on this page is shown against the USGS median for the same calendar day — 273 CFS for late July, from 46 years of record.
Jackson River at Covington — common questions
What is the current flow on Jackson River at Covington?
As of the last reading on this page, Jackson River at Covington was running 240 CFS at a gage height of 9.00 ft, or 88% of the USGS median for this date. The number updates automatically from USGS gauge 02011800, which reports every 15 to 60 minutes.
Is that high or low for this time of year?
The USGS median flow for late July at this gauge is 273 CFS, calculated from 46 years of record (1980–2026). Comparing today's reading against that median is the only way a raw CFS number tells you anything — 200 CFS is a drought on one river and a flood on another.
How often does this reading update?
USGS transmits from this gauge every 15 to 60 minutes. This page bakes in the most recent reading when it is rebuilt, then refreshes live from USGS when you open it. Readings are provisional and subject to revision by USGS.
Is Jackson River at Covington wadeable right now?
That depends on the reach and on your own judgement — riverlvl will not tell you the water is safe to stand in. What it will tell you is whether today's flow is unusually high or low for the date, against a seasonal median of 273 CFS, which is the single most useful input to that decision.
What makes the flow change on this stretch?
Rain in the basin upstream, plus seasonal baseflow. The 12-month chart shows the past year of daily values, which is the clearest picture of how this gauge behaves through the seasons.
Where does this data come from?
Flow and gage height are public-domain USGS data from gauge 02011800. riverlvl adds the seasonal comparison and plain-English summary; it is not an official source and does not issue warnings.