Virgin River River Levels

Total streamflow across the Virgin River was last observed at 235 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 466 acre-ft of water today; about 57% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 416 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2023-03-16 when daily discharge volume was observed at 40,940 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Virgin R At Littlefield reporting a streamflow rate of 132 cfs. However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the Virgin R Abv The Narrows Nr Littlefield with a gauge stage of 16.9 ft. This river is monitored from 8 different streamgauging stations along the Virgin River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 3,508 ft, the Virgin River At Virgin.

The river is approximately 162 miles long and has a drainage area of about 4,000 square miles. The Virgin River has a significant history, with Native American tribes dating back thousands of years, and was explored by Spanish explorers in the 1700s. Today, the river is an important source of water for agriculture and recreation, with several reservoirs and dams along its length. The most significant reservoir is Lake Mead, created by Hoover Dam on the Colorado River, which controls the flow of the Virgin River. Recreational activities on the river include fishing, canoeing, and hiking in Zion National Park, while the agriculture industry relies on the river for irrigation. Despite its importance, the river faces challenges due to climate change and water management issues.