Introduction to the Virgin River: The source of the Virgin River is located at an altitude of 9,000 feet (about 2,700 meters), and it flows into the southeast 200 miles (320 kilometers) away from Lake Mead. It is 8,000 feet (about 2,400 meters) lower than the source. This gives the Virgin River a gradient of 50 to 80 feet per mile (0.9–1.5%); one of the steepest rivers in North America.