Fire Weather Watch
2026-04-23T00:00:00-06:00

The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Fire Weather Watch for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from Wednesday morning through Wednesday evening. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 214, 216, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250 and 251. * TIMING...From Wednesday morning through Wednesday evening. * WINDS...Southwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...5 to 10 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

Last Updated: April 20, 2026

Total streamflow across the Rapidan River was last observed at 226 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 447 acre-ft of water today; about 25% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 885 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 171 cfs. However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the Rapidan River Near Ruckersville with a gauge stage of 1.8 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.

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.


15-Day Long Term Forecast


River Details

Last Updated 2026-04-20
Discharge Volume 447 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 225.5 cfs
Past 24 Hours: +11.6 cfs (+5.42%)
Percent of Normal 25.48%
Maximum 33,970.0 cfs
2018-06-23
Seasonal Avg 885 cfs
       
River Streamflow Levels
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Rapidan River Near Ruckersville
USGS 01665500
55 cfs 1.8 ft 16.2
Rapidan River Near Culpeper
USGS 01667500
171 cfs 0.81 ft 2.4
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
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.