What water level is good for paddling Rappahannock River — Motts Landing to Fredericksburg?

This section is generally runnable at 300–5,000 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Below that it gets too low and bony; well above the top of the range it becomes pushy and then dangerous. We compare the live USGS reading to that range to produce today's verdict.

How do I check Rappahannock River levels?

We read USGS gauge 01668000 — the same public data USGS publishes — about every 30 minutes and compare it to the runnable range for this reach. You can also view the raw gauge yourself at waterdata.usgs.gov.

Is Rappahannock River — Motts Landing to Fredericksburg good for beginners?

This section is rated Class II. At good levels it suits confident beginners and up, but it can have riffles or small rapids. Scout anything you can't see, and stay off it at high water.

When is the best time to paddle Rappahannock River here?

Typically April–October, when flows are most reliable for this section. Spring can run high after rain or snowmelt; late summer can drop too low. Always check today's gauge reading rather than assuming.

How long does it take to float Rappahannock River — Motts Landing to Fredericksburg?

This reach is about 8 miles, roughly 4 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Rappahannock River — Motts Landing to Fredericksburg: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class II8 mi · ~4 hrRappahannock RiverVirginia

Verdict · updated Aug 26, 7:00 PM UTC

Good to paddle

Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.

Estimated range

531 cfs

2.3 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 01668000

Runnable 300 – 5,000 cfs

03005,0005,940

What this means today

At 531 cfs the Rappahannock River is inside the runnable range but only 231 cfs above the 300 cfs floor, so it is sitting at the shallow end of what this reach runs at. A dry few days would take it under.

Over the last 24 hours it has gone from 748 cfs to 531 cfs, 29% down. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 610 cfs and 1,480 cfs, 45% lower at the end of the week than the start.

Paddling Motts Landing to Fredericksburg

Rappahannock River at Motts Landing to Fredericksburg is a 8-mile Class II run in Virginia — bouncy wave trains and the occasional small rapid. Most paddlers put in at Motts Landing (Rt 618) and take out at Old Mill Park, Fredericksburg, a trip that runs about 4 hours at a relaxed pace.

Whether it's worth the drive comes down to flow. This section generally paddles well at 300–5,000 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and the Rappahannock River gets low and bony, so you end up scraping gravel and walking the shallows; well above the top of the range it turns fast, cold and pushy, which is a more serious day than most casual boaters want. We read USGS gauge 01668000 about every 30 minutes and compare the live number to that window, so the verdict at the top of this page reflects conditions right now rather than a monthly average.

Flows here are usually most dependable April–October. Spring can run high after rain or snowmelt, and late summer often drops too low to float well — but the gauge always beats the calendar, so check today's reading before you go.

7-day flow trend

Daily mean flow (cfs), past 7 days. Shaded band = runnable range.

Section facts

Difficulty: Class II
Length: 8 mi
Float time: ~4 hr
Best months: April–October
Put-in: Motts Landing (Rt 618)
Take-out: Old Mill Park, Fredericksburg

Reading USGS gauge 01668000 — RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER NEAR FREDERICKSBURG, VA ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Rappahannock River — Motts Landing to Fredericksburg?: This section is generally runnable at 300–5,000 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Below that it gets too low and bony; well above the top of the range it becomes pushy and then dangerous. We compare the live USGS reading to that range to produce today's verdict.
How do I check Rappahannock River levels?: We read USGS gauge 01668000 — the same public data USGS publishes — about every 30 minutes and compare it to the runnable range for this reach. You can also view the raw gauge yourself at waterdata.usgs.gov.
Is Rappahannock River — Motts Landing to Fredericksburg good for beginners?: This section is rated Class II. At good levels it suits confident beginners and up, but it can have riffles or small rapids. Scout anything you can't see, and stay off it at high water.
When is the best time to paddle Rappahannock River here?: Typically April–October, when flows are most reliable for this section. Spring can run high after rain or snowmelt; late summer can drop too low. Always check today's gauge reading rather than assuming.
How long does it take to float Rappahannock River — Motts Landing to Fredericksburg?: This reach is about 8 miles, roughly 4 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Nearby sections

Too low · 123 cfs