Rapidan-Upper Rappahannock

Watershed Hydrology

The Rapidan Upper Rappahannock watershed (HUC 02080103) covers an area of over 1,000 square miles in Virginia. It is a part of the larger Chesapeake Bay watershed and drains into the Rappahannock River. The watershed includes the headwaters of the Rapidan River and numerous other small streams, which are fed by precipitation and snowmelt. The area experiences a humid subtropical climate, with hot and humid summers and mild winters. Snowfall is common in the winter months, and the watershed's snowpack contributes to its surface water flow. The primary reservoir in the watershed is Lake Orange, which serves as a water supply for the surrounding communities. The watershed is also home to a variety of wildlife, including numerous fish species, otters, and bald eagles. There are concerns regarding the watershed's water quality due to agricultural and urban runoff, as well as the impact of climate change on its hydrology.


Surface Flows

Rapidan-Upper Rappahannock Watershed

Snowpack Depths

Rapidan-Upper Rappahannock Watershed

Dams & Reservoirs

Rapidan-Upper Rappahannock Watershed

Groundwater Levels

Rapidan-Upper Rappahannock Watershed

Rapidan-Upper Rappahannock Rivers

Rivers of the Watershed