SNOFLO



RAPIDAN RIVER

RIVER LEVELS
April 28, 2025


Total streamflow across the Rapidan River was last observed at 375 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 743 acre-ft of water today; about 49% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 767 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2018-06-23 when daily discharge volume was observed at 33,970 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Rapidan River Near Culpeper reporting a streamflow rate of 304 cfs. However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the Rapidan River Near Ruckersville with a gauge stage of 1.96 ft. This river is monitored from 2 different streamgauging stations along the Rapidan River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 462 ft, the Rapidan River Near Ruckersville.

Last Updated 2025-04-28
Discharge Volume 743 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 374.6 cfs
-86.6 cfs (-18.78%)
Percent of Normal 48.86%
Maximum 33,970.0 cfs
2018-06-23
Seasonal Avg 767 cfs
       
River Streamflow Levels
Created with Highcharts 8.0.0Total River Discharge (cfs)19. Apr20. Apr21. Apr22. Apr23. Apr24. Apr25. Apr26. Apr27. Apr28. Apr0250500
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Created with Highcharts 8.0.0Total River Discharge (cfs)1. Jan1. Feb1. Mar1. Apr1. May1. Jun1. Jul1. Aug1. Sep1. Oct1. Nov1. Dec1. Jan010k20k
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Created with Highcharts 8.0.0YearAnnual Peak Discharge(cfs)201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024202520261k10k100k

Weather Forecast

Created with Highcharts 8.0.0humidity
Streamflow Elevation Profile
Created with Highcharts 8.0.0

The Rapidan River, flowing 88 miles (142 km) through north-central Virginia in the United States, is the largest tributary of the Rappahannock River. The two rivers converge just west of the city of Fredericksburg. The Rapidan River begins west of Doubletop Mountain in Shenandoah National Park where the Mill Prong meets the Laurel Prong at Rapidan Camp, approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) south of Big Meadows.
Sections of the lower Rapidan River are preserved by a conservation easement.The Rapidan River was the scene of severe fighting in the American Civil War, and historic sites such as Ely's Ford, Chancellorsville, Brandy Station, Kelly's Ford, and the Battle of the Wilderness are nearby.
The name is a combination of the word "rapids" with the name of Queen Anne of England. Originally, it was known as the Rapid Ann River.
The Rapidan River ranks #38 in Trout Unlimited's Guide to America's 100 Best Trout Streams. In 2000, the upper Rapidan River was nominated for EPA designation as a Tier III Exceptional Waterway. In 2001, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality rejected the application, citing uncertainty about the impact of the designation.

Regional Streamflow Levels