Red Flag Warning
2025-12-20T00:00:00-07:00

...THIS IS A PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR IN AND IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE FOOTHILLS, BETWEEN 5500 AND 9000 FEET, FOR BOULDER AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES ON FRIDAY... Strong west winds, sustained 45-55 mph with gusts upwards of 85- 105 mph, are expected in the foothills of Larimer, Boulder and Jefferson Counties beginning early Friday morning. Relative humidity values are expected to drop into the low teens, possibly upper single digits. While Red Flag conditions, critical fire weather, are expected across a larger area in northern Colorado, the most extreme conditions are expected to be along Highway 93 from Jefferson County into Boulder County and along US-36 north of Boulder to the Larimer County line and westward. There will be a high potential for fast moving wildfires, should any new starts occur. Winds toward I-25 and eastward will be slower to develop, and also speeds will be considerably lighter. That said, gusts of 25- 40 mph are still expected to combine with very low humidity and cured grasses to support critical fire weather conditions. Such conditions may be a longer duration than usual, with potential for low humidity to extend well into the evening hours. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 238, 240, 241, 242 and 243. * TIMING...From 10 AM this morning to midnight MST tonight. * WINDS...West 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 60 mph possible west of I-25, and gusts to 40 mph possible along and east of I- 25. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 12 percent. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a spark and start a wildfire.


Rapidan River River Levels

Last Updated: December 19, 2025

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.


Summary

Total streamflow across the Rapidan River was last observed at 128 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 254 acre-ft of water today; about 16% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 810 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 99 cfs. However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the Rapidan River Near Ruckersville with a gauge stage of 1.74 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.

River Details

Last Updated 2025-12-19
Discharge Volume 254 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 128.0 cfs
+6.8 cfs (+5.61%)
Percent of Normal 15.8%
Maximum 33,970.0 cfs
2018-06-23
Seasonal Avg 810 cfs
       
River Streamflow Levels
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Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Rapidan River Near Ruckersville
USGS 01665500 		29 cfs 1.74 ft 17.41
Rapidan River Near Culpeper
USGS 01667500 		99 cfs 0.69 ft 2.59
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
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Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile

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.