River Conditions

As of May 19, 2013

Front Royal Gauge Reading:

2.56 feet

Cubic Feet per Second - (CFS):

2,130 cfs

River Level:

NORMAL RANGE

Morning River Temperature:

68 degrees

Water Clarity:

Clearing nicely

Paddling Conditions:

EXCELLENT! Trip times will be quicker than normal. This is a great level to run all of our trips. The larger rapids will be a little pushy and should be run with more caution than at lower levels. Remember to bring plenty of drinking water, snacks, sunscreen, shoes that you can wear in the river, and a change of clothes. Remember to always wear your life vest!

River Level Descriptions


Red	Above Rental Limits, no watercraft will be rented when the river is in the red zone. 5.1 feet and above we will not rent any watercraft, no exceptions.
Orange	Very High - Rafts Only, river is swift, powerful and muddy, use extra caution at Compton Rapid, Karo Rapid and the Low Water Bridge. Small rapids are smoothed over. Stay in the middle of the river to avoid trees and other obstacles. Contact Front Royal Canoe for information on age restrictions. 4 to 5 feet on the Front Royal Gauge.
Yellow	High, river is swift and powerful, use extra caution at Compton Rapid, the Ledge, Karo Rapid and the Low Water Bridge. Small rapids are smoothed over. 3.0 to 3.99 feet on the Front Royal Gauge.
Green	Above normal, ideal paddling level, some rapids may be a little pushy! 2.3 to 2.99 feet on the Front Royal Gauge. Normal, the ideal paddling level. Lots of nice rapids to play in. 1.7 to 2.29 feet on the Front Royal Gauge. Below Normal, watercraft may bump and scrape some, paddlers may have to step out of their watercraft from time to time. Trips take a little longer. 1.2 to 1.69 feet on the Front Royal Gauge.
Blue	Low, Shorten up your trip. Paddlers will have to step out of their watercraft from time to time, but even at this level the river will still be quite enjoyable if you take your time. Below 1.19 feet on the Front Royal Gauge.

NOTE: Be advised that river conditions can change rapidly with sudden storms or heavy rain in the upper watershed. Also, water temperature can vary as much as six degrees or more in a single day.
Current Fishing Conditions! - check out this page for the latest scoop on what's hitting and what to use!

Local Weather Forecast - check out the Shenandoah Valley and Front Royal area weather before you come out.

National Weather Service Homepage - all the weather and river information you will ever need!

Virginia District Real -Time Streamflow Data - determine current river levels - Alternative 7 Day Real-Time Table

Summary for the Potomac, Shenandoah and Rappahannock River Basins - United States Geological Survey