Rappahannock River above Fredericksburg
Flood levels
Official flood levels at this gauge: action stage begins at 10.0 ft; minor flooding begins at 13.0 ft; moderate flooding begins at 16.0 ft; major flooding begins at 23.0 ft.
| Action stage | 10.0 ft |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 13.0 ft |
| Moderate flooding | 16.0 ft |
| Major flooding | 23.0 ft |
Highest recorded crests
- 25.9 ft on Oct 16, 1942 (historic crest)
- 25.1 ft on Apr 26, 1937 (historic crest)
- 22.6 ft on Jun 22, 1972 (historic crest)
- 18.0 ft on Sep 7, 1996 (historic crest)
What the water does
National Weather Service impact statements for this gauge, in the Weather Service's own words.
| 3.2 ft | The Friends of the Rappahannock recommend that river levels greater than this are unsafe to recreation. |
|---|---|
| 10.0 ft | Water exceeds bankfull upstream of the tidal interface, but no property is affected. |
| 12.0 ft | Water begins to cover grassy areas near the mouth of Motts Run. |
| 13.0 ft | Water covers the Riverside Trail off River Road upstream of Fredericksburg. Water also enters a building at a riverside wedding venue, and begins to cover the parking lot at the Motts Run boat landing. |
| 16.0 ft | Water begins to cover River Road upstream of the city of Fredericksburg. Structures near the Motts Run boat landing are flooded. |
| 20.0 ft | Water is above the top of the first floor at a riverside wedding venue upstream of Fredericksburg. |
| 23.0 ft | Water covers significant sections of River Road. Multiple structures upstream of Fredericksburg area also affected. Downstream, significant flooding is likely in the city of Fredericksburg. |
Forecast office: NWS Sterling · River Forecast Center: Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center.
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Nearby stations and gauges
- Rappahannock River at Fredericksburg NWS gauge · 4.0 mi
- Massaponax NOAA tide station · 7.5 mi
- Po River near Spotsylvania NWS gauge · 10.1 mi
- Aquia Creek NOAA tide station · 12.2 mi
- Aquia Creek near Garrisonville NWS gauge · 13.6 mi
- Rapidan River at Germanna Highway NWS gauge · 14.7 mi