Virgin River at Springdale
Utah · Flood watch
Measured at USGS 09405500 — NORTH FORK VIRGIN RIVER NEAR SPRINGDALE, UT · NWS forecast point NFVU1
Reading taken Jul 28, 11:50 PM UTC
Below normal for the date
At 32 CFS, this gauge is running 72% of normal for late July — below the 44 CFS median USGS has recorded for this date across 37 years of record (1989–2026).
Data-derived guidance from USGS and NWS published values — not official advice, and not a safety assessment.
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Flood stages at Springdale
Official National Weather Service categories for gauge NFVU1, issued by WFO SLC. Impact statements are the NWS's own wording for this location, reproduced verbatim.
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Major flood 19.0 ft · 14,168 CFS
- 19.0 ft At 19.0 ft, major flooding will occur to the areas adjacent to the North Fork Virgin River. Areas include Springdale, Rockville, and Virgin.
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Moderate flood 18.0 ft · 11,473 CFS
- 18.0 ft At 18.0 ft, moderate flooding of the areas adjacent to the North Fork Virgin River including Springdale, Rockville, and Virgin River.
-
Minor flood 17.0 ft · 9,180 CFS
- 17.0 ft At 17.0 ft, minor flooding will occur along the North Fork Virgin River in Zion National Park. Structures in this area may be damaged and take on water.
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Action 16.0 ft · 7,243 CFS
- Right now 7.08 ft
12 months of flow at Springdale
Daily values from USGS gauge 09405500. Provisional data, subject to revision.
Highest crests on record at Springdale
| Stage | Flow | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 13.00 ft | 9,150 CFS | Dec 6, 1966 |
| 10.25 ft | 5,880 CFS | Sep 17, 1961 |
| 9.80 ft | 6,060 CFS | Dec 21, 2011 |
| 9.18 ft | 5,450 CFS | Jan 11, 2005 |
| 8.84 ft | 4,340 CFS | Aug 5, 1963 |
| 8.52 ft | 4,380 CFS | Sep 11, 1998 |
| 7.53 ft | 3,540 CFS | Aug 30, 1999 |
| 7.50 ft | 3,560 CFS | Aug 10, 1997 |
| 7.30 ft | 3,720 CFS | Aug 31, 2006 |
| 7.05 ft | 3,620 CFS | Aug 25, 2013 |
Historical crests published by the National Weather Service for this gauge.
About Virgin River at Springdale
This is the reference gauge for Virgin River at Springdale, Utah. It is the reading local emergency managers, the National Weather Service and residents watch when the river comes up.
Zion Narrows closes above 150 CFS; flash-flood watch.
Raw CFS means little on its own, so every reading on this page is shown against the USGS median for the same calendar day — 44 CFS for late July, from 37 years of record.
Because the National Weather Service also operates a forecast point here, the page carries the official flood-category ladder and the NWS's own stage-by-stage impact statements.
Virgin River at Springdale — common questions
What is the current flow on Virgin River at Springdale?
As of the last reading on this page, Virgin River at Springdale was running 32 CFS at a gage height of 7.08 ft, or 72% of the USGS median for this date. The number updates automatically from USGS gauge 09405500, which reports every 15 to 60 minutes.
Is that high or low for this time of year?
The USGS median flow for late July at this gauge is 44 CFS, calculated from 37 years of record (1989–2026). Comparing today's reading against that median is the only way a raw CFS number tells you anything — 200 CFS is a drought on one river and a flood on another.
How often does this reading update?
USGS transmits from this gauge every 15 to 60 minutes. This page bakes in the most recent reading when it is rebuilt, then refreshes live from USGS when you open it. Readings are provisional and subject to revision by USGS.
What is flood stage at Springdale?
The National Weather Service sets minor flood stage at this gauge at 17.0 ft, moderate at 18.0 ft, and major at 19.0 ft. Action stage — the level at which agencies begin preparing — is 16.0 ft. The ladder on this page shows each threshold against the current reading.
What happens at each flood stage here?
The National Weather Service publishes 3 stage-by-stage impact statements for this gauge, describing what specific roads, properties and structures are affected at each level. They are reproduced verbatim on this page, lowest to highest. They are NWS descriptions, not riverlvl's.
Is there a forecast for this gauge?
This gauge does not currently carry an active NWS forecast. When one is issued, it appears on the chart alongside the observed record.