Various embodiments include a system and method that provide adaptive blood flow visualization by calculating and applying an enhancement factor to each of the pixels in color flow ultrasound image data based on regional flow characteristics detected within the color flow ultrasound image data. The method can include determining for a pixel of a color flow region of interest image, by a processor of an ultrasound system, a lowest percentage of color pixels in a plurality of elongated enhancement analysis windows positioned in the color flow region of interest image. Each of the plurality of elongated enhancement analysis windows includes a pre-defined spatial relationship to an anchor pixel positioned at the pixel. The method includes computing an enhancement factor for the pixel based on the determined lowest percentage of color pixels. The method includes applying the enhancement factor to the pixel.
