TOTAL DISCHARGE (CFS)
SUMMARY
| Last Updated | 2024-11-20 |
| Discharge Volume | 6,339 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
3,195.7 cfs
-40.0 cfs (-1.24%) |
| Percent of Normal | 33.58% |
| Maximum |
92,240.0 cfs
2018-10-12 |
| Seasonal Avg | 9,515 cfs |
Total streamflow across the
Roanoke River
was last observed at
3,196
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
6,339
acre-ft of water today; about 34%
of normal.
River levels are low and may signify a drought.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
9,515 cfs,
with recent peaks last observed
on
2018-10-12 when daily discharge volume was observed at
92,240 cfs.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
Roanoke River At Roanoke Rapids
reporting a streamflow rate of 2,200 cfs.
This is also the highest stage along the Roanoke River, with a gauge stage of
3.09 ft at this location.
This river is monitored from 6 different streamgauging stations along the Roanoke River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 1,185 ft, the
Roanoke River At Lafayette.
The Roanoke River is a 410-mile-long river that flows through Virginia and North Carolina. It has a rich history, having been home to various Native American tribes and explored by European settlers in the 16th century. The river’s hydrology is affected by precipitation and dam releases, with major reservoirs including the John H. Kerr Reservoir and the Roanoke Rapids Lake. These dams have been constructed for hydroelectric power, flood control, and recreation purposes. The river is also important for agriculture, providing irrigation for crops such as tobacco and cotton. Recreational activities like fishing, boating, and kayaking are popular on the river. The Roanoke River is a vital resource for both human use and wildlife conservation, and efforts have been made to maintain its ecological integrity.
YEAR OVER YEAR DISCHARGE (CFS)
Streamflow Conditions
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Roanoke River At Lafayette
USGS 02054500 |
82 cfs | 1.75 ft | 0 | |||||
|
Roanoke River At Glenvar
USGS 02054530 |
82 cfs | 2.22 ft | -1.71 | |||||
|
Roanoke River At Roanoke
USGS 02055000 |
88 cfs | 0.92 ft | 2.79 | |||||
|
Roanoke River At Niagara
USGS 02056000 |
122 cfs | 1.6 ft | 4.58 | |||||
|
Roanoke River At Altavista
USGS 02060500 |
593 cfs | 1.82 ft | -2.79 | |||||
|
Roanoke River At Roanoke Rapids
USGS 02080500 |
2200 cfs | 3.09 ft | -1.33 |
History of the River
The Roanoke River () is a river in southern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina in the United States, 410 miles (660 km) long. A major river of the southeastern United States, it drains a largely rural area of the coastal plain from the eastern edge of the Appalachian Mountains southeast across the Piedmont to Albemarle Sound. An important river throughout the history of the United States, it was the site of early settlement in the Virginia Colony and the Carolina Colony. An 81-mile (130 km) section of its lower course in Virginia between the Leesville Lake and Kerr Lake is known as the Staunton River, pronounced , as is the Shenandoah Valley city of that name. It is impounded along much of its middle course to form a chain of reservoirs.
