ABOUT THE RIVER
A Journey to Revitalize Historic Germanna Ford Boat Launch
Nestled along the banks of the Rapidan River, the Germanna Ford Boat Launch stands as a testament to a decade of dedication, collaboration, and preservation. This newly inaugurated launch site not only provides a gateway to the serene waters of the Rapidan but also...
Drought Advisory Announced –What does it mean for the Rappahannock River?
Last week, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VA DEQ) and the Virginia Drought Monitoring Task Force expanded the drought advisory to 42 additional counties, many of which reside in the central Virginia region. While recent showers over the last few...
Diadromous Fish: What is that?
The Rappahannock River is one of nine major river systems in Virginia and most importantly the one that we live in. It contains many types of fish that people enjoy everyday in the forms of recreational fishing and consumption, or just to look at. There is a group of...
Safety on the Rappahannock River
It’s that time of year when the weather and water starts getting warmer and everyone is itching to get outside! Many of you will even spend times along the Rappahannock or on the Rappahannock in the coming months, so it's important to remember a few key river safety...
ALL ABOUT SHAD!
As spring comes to the Rappahannock river community, you’re probably hearing a lot about a fish called the shad. You may also be wondering, what is a shad? How do you catch one? Can I eat it? Here are a few facts about the shad you may not have known. ...
Do you know what’s living in the Rappahannock?
If you’ve ever walked along the Rappahannock River or taken a boat ride down to the Chesapeake Bay, it’s likely you’ve recognized some familiar species along the Rappahannock River watershed. Although these outdoor experiences can be a healthy and meaningful way to...
Rappahannock River Adventures in 2020
At FOR, we believe the Rappahannock River is a treasure to share so everyone can work to help protect it.In 2020, we continued to work with partners to increase public access to the river. Our staff celebrated new public access sites and shared some of the more hidden...
ChesBay Report Card: The Rappahannock’s grade tanked in 2019. Here are four lessons we can learn from this.
The University of Maryland’s newly published 2019 Chesapeake Bay Report Card found that the water quality in the Rappahannock River fell significantly between 2018 and 2019, from a C grade to a D, based on 7 indicators of water quality. It’s hard to sugar coat this....
Supporting inclusive public river access
FOR's Spanish language program focuses on river safety and conservation Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR) believes the Rappahannock River is a treasure to be enjoyed by everyone and we support inclusive public access. In our support of public access, we have created...
Calling local performing artists!
Oyster Restoration VIP River Experience
“If you look closely across the bow you can see we are about to be surrounded by them” said Captain Moncure as he guided the River Steward boat across an oyster reef in Carter’s Creek. My friends and I had signed up to spend a day with Friends of the Rappahannock...
Local musicians bring love for the river
Benefit show at Belmont features acoustic favorites Hazel Run Many area residents have a close relationship with “their river,” which weaves through nearly every aspect of living in this region. Whether by history, adventure, or the arts, the Rappahannock helps define...
Three tips for catching big summertime smallmouth on the Rappahannock
The upper Rappahannock and Rapidan Rivers are home to some of the finest smallmouth bass waters in Virginia. There are lunkers to be found, but they're crafty and hard to land if you don't know where to look. Here’s three tips to help you find that trophy bass this...
Upper Rappahannock has a new dominant fish
Channel cats are the top dog above the fall line The ecology of the upper Rappahannock River is changing. The good news is, fisheries biologists are not alarmed. The bad news is… well, there really isn’t any bad news. “The upper Rappahannock River remains a...
A Legacy of River Protection and Restoration in the Rappahannock
Article by UMW Professor Jason Sellers for America's Most Endangered River series The Rappahannock River has long been a focal point for Virginia’s human communities, and its health remains vital for Virginians today. Although often confident in the resilience of...
How do I check water levels?
FOR uses the USGS Water Data site for real-time information on water levels on the Rappahannock and Rapidan Rivers. Go here to see the latest data on water levels. The recommended level for safe recreational use is below 3.5 ft at the Rappahannock River gauge near Fredericksburg.
Is the fish safe to eat?
Yes, for the most part. There are certain recommendations. More detail here.
