Rapidan River near Culpeper

1. 21.00 ftSignificant flooding of lowlands near the river will occur, including significant portions of roads near the river. Travel will be severely affected. Water is likely approaching structures.
2. 17.00 ftWater begins to approach outbuildings on both sides of the river downstream of the route 522 bridge.
3. 14.00 ftRiver Road on the Orange County side of the Rapidan River is flooded in a few spots, and pastureland is flooded on both sides of the river. Other low lying roads near the river are also beginning to flood, and access to homes may become limited. No structures are affected at this level.
4. 13.00 ftFarmland near the river between Rapidan and Raccoon Ford begins to flood.
5. 4.00 ftThe Friends of the Rappahannock recommend that levels greater than 4 feet at the Culpeper gage are unsafe for recreational use.

Chance of flooding, September to November

The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued August 28, 2026.

Most recent crests

• May 14, 2025: 15.58 ft
• January 10, 2024: 15.12 ft
• August 4, 2018: 13.32 ft
• June 23, 2018: 23.56 ft
• June 4, 2018: 14.46 ft
• June 1, 2018: 14.64 ft
• June 1, 2018: 14.64 ft
• May 17, 2014: 17.16 ft
• May 1, 2014: 14.75 ft
• June 10, 2013: 16.51 ft

• UpstreamRapidan River at Ruckersville
• DownstreamRappahannock River at Fredericksburg
• Robinson River at Locust Dale
• Mountain Run At Old Rixeyville Road
• Rapidan River At U.S. 15
• Rapidan River
• Robinson River at Zeus at US 29
• Hazel River
• Rappahannock River at Remington
• Hazel River at Rixeyville

Forecasts by the Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely year-round. Stage may be affected by ice.

Stage, flood stages, impacts and crest history from NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service. Streamflow and the daily record from the U.S. Geological Survey.