River stage
Fredericksburg, Rappahannock River
- River level
- 3.72 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- +1.37 ft
- Recent high
- 5.61 ft
- Recent low
- 1.80 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS FDBV2
- 30-day change
- +1.42 ft
- Average
- 2.28 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 25.90 ft
In brief
The Rappahannock River at Fredericksburg, VA read 3.72 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 6.28 ft below action stage. That is 1.42 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge FDBV2
At this level: The Friends of the Rappahannock recommend that river levels greater than this are unsafe to recreation.
Water 65 °F (18 °C) · about normal for this date · +1 °F in 24 hours
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25.90 ft | 1942-10-16 |
| 2 | 25.14 ft | 1937-04-26 |
| 3 | 22.56 ft | 1972-06-22 |
| 4 | 17.97 ft | 1996-09-07 |
| 5 | 17.55 ft | 2018-06-23 |
| 6 | 17.14 ft | 1995-06-28 |
| 7 | 17.00 ft | 1955-08-19 |
| 8 | 16.50 ft | 1924-09-13 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 3.20 ft
The Friends of the Rappahannock recommend that river levels greater than this are unsafe to recreation.
- 10.00 ft
Water exceeds bankfull upstream of the tidal interface, but no property is affected.
- 12.00 ft
Water begins to cover grassy areas near the mouth of Motts Run.
- 13.00 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.
- 16.00 ft
Water begins to cover River Road upstream of the city of Fredericksburg. Structures near the Motts Run boat landing are flooded.
- 20.00 ft
Water is above the top of the first floor at a riverside wedding venue upstream of Fredericksburg.
- 23.00 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.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Rappahannock River flooding at Fredericksburg?
No. The Rappahannock River at Fredericksburg is at 3.72 ft, 6.28 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Fredericksburg?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 10 ft, minor flooding 13 ft, moderate flooding 16 ft and major flooding 23 ft.
What is the highest the Rappahannock River has been at Fredericksburg?
The highest crest on record is 25.9 ft, on 1942-10-16.
Is the Rappahannock River high or low right now at Fredericksburg?
At 3.72 ft it is higher than 98% of readings over the last 122 days.
How warm is the water at Fredericksburg, Rappahannock River?
The water temperature at Fredericksburg, Rappahannock River is 65 °F (18.1 °C), measured 7:15 pm by USGS, which is about average for this date over the past ten years. It has risen 1.1 °F in the last 24 hours.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge FDBV2); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 01668000). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.