ROANOKE RIVER

RIVER LEVELS
December 25, 2024
36.48, -77.67


TOTAL RIVER DISCHARGE

Total streamflow across the Roanoke River was last observed at 3,644 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 7,228 acre-ft of water today; about 23% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 15,589 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 2,400 cfs. This is also the highest stage along the Roanoke River, with a gauge stage of 3.22 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.

Last Updated 2024-12-25
Discharge Volume 7,228 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 3,644.0 cfs
-179.0 cfs (-4.68%)
Percent of Normal 23.37%
Maximum 92,240.0 cfs
2018-10-12
Seasonal Avg 15,589 cfs

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
119 cfs 1.95 ft -7.75
Roanoke River At Glenvar
USGS 02054530
88 cfs 2.26 ft 3.64
Roanoke River At Roanoke
USGS 02055000
111 cfs 1.01 ft -4.31
Roanoke River At Niagara
USGS 02056000
225 cfs 2.15 ft -3.85
Roanoke River At Altavista
USGS 02060500
900 cfs 2.18 ft -9.09
Roanoke River At Roanoke Rapids
USGS 02080500
2400 cfs 3.22 ft -2.83
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.

       

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