Little Sandy River

Total streamflow across the Little Sandy River was last observed at 237 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 469 acre-ft of water today; about 26% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 898 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2021-03-01 when daily discharge volume was observed at 10,141 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Little Sandy River At Grayson reporting a streamflow rate of 158 cfs. This is also the highest stage along the Little Sandy River, with a gauge stage of 5.23 ft at this location. This river is monitored from 2 different streamgauging stations along the Little Sandy River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 751 ft, the Little Sandy River Near Bull Run.

The river is approximately 85 miles long and has a drainage basin of 719 square miles. It was named after the sandy banks that can be found along its course. The river has played an important role in the agricultural and recreational activities of the region, providing irrigation for farms and supporting fishing and boating activities. There are several reservoirs and dams along the river, including the Grayson Lake and the Cave Run Lake. The Grayson Lake was constructed in 1968 for flood control and provides recreational opportunities, such as fishing and boating. The Cave Run Lake, on the other hand, was built in 1973 and is primarily used for water supply and hydroelectric power generation.