James River Near Richmond, Va: river conditions
USGS gauge 02037500 · near Tuckahoe, VA
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7-day flow
NWS forecast for this spot
Numbers are provisional real-time data. We don't rate rivers as safe or unsafe. Check local conditions, posted signs and official advisories (NWS warnings, park and dam-release notices) before you launch.
Kayak types for this river
We don't have verified river-class or character data for this stretch, so this is based only on USGS flow. Typical flow is about 4,200 cfs (median of daily medians, USGS daily statistics 1937–2025). Flow doesn't swing widely by season, so recreational sit-inside, sit-on-top, fishing and tandem kayaks can suit it at normal levels (REI kayak guide). Whitewater sections need whitewater boats and skills.
- Recreational sit-inside: Sun Dolphin Aruba 8 SS (max 260 lb)
- Sit-on-top: Feelfree Nomad (max 330 lb)
- Fishing: Jackson Coosa X (max 425 lb)
- Tandem: Feelfree Lure II Tandem Pedal (max 500 lb)
Check today's conditions for your kayak
Flow, wind, water temperature, flood stage and NWS alerts
Documented hazards near this gauge
Dams on this river within 5 miles of the gauge, from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Inventory of Dams (updated 2026-10-23):
- Williams Island Dam (NID VA760002, 7 ft high, 1.2 mi from the gauge) · Map
- Bosher Dam (NID VA087001, 10 ft high, 1.6 mi from the gauge) · Map
- Cherokee Dam (NID VA760014, 24 ft high, 1.8 mi from the gauge) · Map
- Hobby Hill Dam (NID VA760006, 25 ft high, 2.5 mi from the gauge) · Map
- Winston Lake Dam (NID VA760011, 28 ft high, 2.8 mi from the gauge) · Map
- Upper Shields Lake Dam (NID VA760004, 20 ft high, 4.3 mi from the gauge) · Map
Tip: Portage around dams. Low-head dams can form a recirculating current at the base that is hard to see from upstream and hard to escape; rescuers should throw a line from shore rather than approach by boat (Ohio DNR; Indiana DNR).
When flow is high: above the 90th percentile for the date or near NWS flood stage, expect more floating debris and strainers (downed trees that let water through but trap people and boats). Steer well clear of them (PA Fish and Boat Commission). Today's check flags this.
Wildlife
Verified presence within 25 km since 2000, from openly licensed (CC0 or CC BY) GBIF occurrence records (2026-10-26):
- Black bear (2 records). Keep food and trash packed away at launches and campsites, and give bears plenty of room. Source: National Park Service, Bear safety.
Occurrence data: GBIF.org, records licensed CC0 or CC BY 4.0; attribution to the original datasets is listed on each GBIF record.
Water quality
We don't yet have harmful algal bloom (HAB) advisories for this spot. Check the Virginia HAB or beach advisory program before contact with the water, and keep pets out of discolored or scummy water (EPA harmful algal blooms).
When it's busiest
Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site: recreation visits by month, 2025
Busiest: Jul, Feb, Mar. A month shown as 0 had no published count. Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics. Park-wide counts, not river-only.
Richmond National Battlefield Park: recreation visits by month, 2025
Busiest: Mar, Oct, Sep. Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics. Park-wide counts, not river-only.
Cold water
Shown when this gauge reports water temperature.
Virginia paddling rules
Registration, permits, life jackets and AIS stickers
Float time estimator
How long a stretch of river might take
Cold water and life jacket guide
From NWS and Coast Guard guidance
Data: USGS (provisional, real-time; percentiles from USGS daily statistics 1937–2025) · Forecast: NOAA/NWS.