Rapidan River Flow Today
As of October 15, 2026 at 2:45 AM, the Rapidan River is flowing at 412 cfs near Culpeper, VA — 258% of normal for the date and down 26% in 24 hours. 2 of 2 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 103 to 412 cfs. ❤ Favorite
Rapidan River map
See the Rapidan River on a live map
Every gauge, dam and paddle run on the river, one tap each:
- Gauges now — which reaches are high or low
- Dams & paddle runs — storage and what’s in range
- Rain — past 24 hrs and the 72-hr forecast, press play
✓ Free for 7 days · ✓ Cancel anytime
Rapidan River conditions today
Where the river is running versus normal, what’s rising or dropping, and what it means for a trip — built from the live USGS readings below.
At Culpeper, the Rapidan River is running 412 cfs — 258% of normal, down 26% since yesterday. Along the river, 2 of 2 reporting gauges are above normal (the typical gauge is at 215% of normal).
In the last 24 hours the river is dropping at Culpeper (-26%) and Ruckersville (-10%).
How the Rapidan River compares to normal
Every reporting gauge from the top of the river to the bottom: bar length is today’s flow, colour is percent of normal for the date.
Flow along the river, upstream to downstream
- Ruckersville462 ft 103 cfs173%
- Culpeper258 ft 412 cfs258%
Bar length uses a square-root scale so small headwater flows stay visible next to big downstream ones. Colour: <50% 50–90 90–110 110–150 150%+ of normal.
Where every gauge sits
One dot per Rapidan River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (215%).
Rapidan River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | To flood stage | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Rapidan River Near Ruckersville VA
Oct 15, 3:45 AM · USGS 01665500 |
103 cfs | 173% | -10% | 2.12 ft | · | 462 ft |
|
Rapidan River Near Culpeper VA
Oct 15, 2:45 AM · USGS 01667500 |
412 cfs | 258% | -26% | 1.30 ft | 11.7 ft below | 258 ft |
USGS provisional data. Readings are in each gauge’s local time; gauges silent for more than 3 days are marked “Last reported”. Tap any gauge for its hydrograph, forecast and history.
Dams & reservoirs on the Rapidan River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
Rapidan River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.
Maximum streamflow by year
Rapidan River
The Rapidan River is a 88.3-mile-long river located in central Virginia, flowing through the Blue Ridge Mountains and into the Rappahannock River. The river has a rich history dating back to the Civil War, where it was a strategic location during the Battle of the Wilderness. The Rapidan River is known for its clean water and diverse aquatic life. It is home to several species of fish, including smallmouth bass and brook trout. The river is also used for recreational activities such as canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. There are two main reservoirs on the river: the South River and the Rapidan Dam. The South River Reservoir is primarily used for drinking water, while the Rapidan Dam is used for flood control and hydroelectric power generation. The Rapidan River is also significant for its agricultural use, as many farmers in the area rely on the river for irrigation purposes.
Fishing near the Rapidan River
About the Rapidan River
How is the Rapidan River flowing right now?
As of October 15, 2026, the Rapidan River is flowing at 412 cfs near Culpeper, VA, about 258% of normal for the date. Across its 2 USGS gauges, current flows range from 103 to 412 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Rapidan River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the Rapidan River is at 215% of normal for the date. Above 100% means higher than the historical average for this calendar day; below 100% means lower. The profile above shows which reaches are high or low.
What is flood stage on the Rapidan River?
The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Culpeper (13.0 ft). The table shows how far each gauge is below its flood stage right now.
Where does the data come from?
Discharge and gage height are from the USGS National Water Information System; flood stages from the National Weather Service. The history chart sums every monitored gauge on the river.
Can I get alerts for a gauge?
Yes — open any gauge from the table, favorite it in the Snoflo app and set a flow threshold.