West Virginia Water Temperatures
Current lake & river temperatures in West Virginia — updated daily from USGS sensors.
West Virginia — Ranked by Temperature
63 with data| # | Water Body | °F | °C | Condition | 🏊 | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elk River At Sutton, Wv River | 130.6° | 54.8° | 🔥 Hot | 🏊 Excellent | Sep 29 |
| 2 | Kanawha River At Charleston, Wv River | 77.9° | 25.5° | ☀️ Warm | ✅ Good | Sep 29 |
| 3 | Elk River At Clay, Wv River | 77.9° | 25.5° | ☀️ Warm | ✅ Good | Aug 4 |
| 4 | South Branch Potomac River Near Petersburg, Wv River | 72.5° | 22.5° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ✅ Good | Jun 30 |
| 5 | Middle Island Creek At Little, Wv River | 72° | 22.2° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ✅ Good | Jun 5 |
| 6 | Cacapon River Near Great Cacapon, Wv River | 72° | 22.2° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ✅ Good | Jun 5 |
| 7 | New River At Thurmond, Wv River | 72° | 22.2° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ✅ Good | Jun 5 |
| 8 | Little Kanawha River At Palestine, Wv River | 71.8° | 22.1° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ⚠️ Brisk | Jun 5 |
| 9 | South Branch Potomac River Near Springfield, Wv River | 71.4° | 21.9° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ⚠️ Brisk | Jun 5 |
| 10 | Elk River At Charleston, Wv River | 71.1° | 21.7° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ⚠️ Brisk | Jun 5 |
| 11 | Elk River Ab Elk Twomile Creek At Charleston, Wv River | 71.1° | 21.7° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ⚠️ Brisk | Jun 5 |
| 12 | Clear Fork At Whitesville, Wv Lake | 70.7° | 21.5° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ⚠️ Brisk | Sep 29 |
| 13 | Williams River At Dyer, Wv River | 70.5° | 21.4° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ⚠️ Brisk | Sep 3 |
| 14 | Kanawha River At Kanawha Falls, Wv River | 70.5° | 21.4° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ⚠️ Brisk | Jun 5 |
| 15 | Mud River Near Milton, Wv River | 69.8° | 21° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ⚠️ Brisk | Sep 21 |
| 16 | Bluestone R Nr Spanishburg, Wv Lake | 69.8° | 21° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ⚠️ Brisk | Sep 29 |
| 17 | New River At Hinton, Wv River | 69.6° | 20.9° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ⚠️ Brisk | Jun 5 |
| 18 | Bluestone River Near Pipestem, Wv River | 69.3° | 20.7° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ⚠️ Brisk | Jun 5 |
| 19 | Greenbrier River At Alderson, Wv River | 69.3° | 20.7° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ⚠️ Brisk | Jun 5 |
| 20 | Gauley River Below Summersville Dam, Wv River | 69.1° | 20.6° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ⚠️ Brisk | Sep 29 |
| 21 | Elk River At Queen Shoals, Wv River | 68.9° | 20.5° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ⚠️ Brisk | Apr 16 |
| 22 | West Fork River At Enterprise, Wv River | 68.4° | 20.2° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ⚠️ Brisk | Jun 5 |
| 23 | Tygart Valley River At Philippi, Wv River | 68.2° | 20.1° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ⚠️ Brisk | Jun 5 |
| 24 | Guyandotte River At Logan, Wv River | 68° | 20° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ⚠️ Brisk | Sep 29 |
| 25 | Guyandotte River At Branchland, Wv River | 68° | 20° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ⚠️ Brisk | Sep 29 |
More West Virginia Resources
❓ West Virginia Water Temperature FAQ
What is the warmest lake in West Virginia today?
Based on our latest USGS data, Elk River At Sutton, Wv is currently the warmest water body in West Virginia at 130.6°F.
Which West Virginia lakes are good for swimming right now?
Lakes with water temperatures above 72°F are generally comfortable for swimming. Currently, West Virginia's average water temperature is 65°F — check individual lakes above for specific conditions.
What is the best water temperature for fishing in West Virginia?
The optimal temperature range depends on your target species. For bass fishing, look for water bodies between 65–75°F. For trout, target the coldest water bodies in West Virginia — typically 50–65°F. Use the table above to identify which lakes are in the ideal range for your target species.
🔬 Data Methodology & Sources
Water temperature readings on this site are collected from USGS (United States Geological Survey) monitoring stations installed at lakes, rivers, and reservoirs across the country. Sensors measure water surface temperature in Celsius, which is converted to Fahrenheit for display. Data is retrieved and stored daily. Temperatures shown reflect the most recent available sensor reading for each water body, typically from the past 1–30 days depending on station reporting frequency.
⚠️ Water temperatures can vary significantly across a water body due to depth, currents, and time of day. Sensor readings represent conditions at the monitoring station location. Always exercise caution when swimming and consult local authorities for official safety advisories.