Check out the Westham Gauge (measured near Huguenot Flatwater) on the James River 8 a.m. this morning. At around 7 p.m. last night (Thursday) it was sitting below 6 feet. By midnight tonight it will be a raging cauldron a foot over moderate flood stage. Dawn tomorrow looks like it will be the best time to see the flood at its roiling best. Belle Isle is a great place to watch floods. At 16 feet some water should be up on the main walking path. The parking lot at Pony Pasture could definitely be flooded. The Floodwall walk on the south side of the river downtown would be a great place to take in the entire sweep of the swollen James.

The James doesn’t hit 16 feet very often. This is a great opportunity to see the mighty river in a rare state.