Live USGS gauges · updated every 30 minutes
Can I paddle it today?
Live river levels and plain-English verdicts for kayakers, canoers, tubers and SUP — from free public USGS gauges. 454 sections, 15 states.
281 sections are good to paddle right now.
- 281
- Good to paddle
- 123
- Too low
- 1
- High — caution
- 0
- Dangerous
Good to paddle right now
Live from the gauge
Buffalo River — Buffalo Point to Rush
Class I · 8 miGood to paddle3.3 ftBuffalo River — Ponca to Kyle's Landing
Class II · 10.5 miGood to paddle3.1 ftBuffalo River — Rush to Buffalo City
Class I · 9 miGood to paddle3.3 ftCrooked Creek — Kelly's Slab to Snow
Class I · 7 mi · est. rangeGood to paddle65 cfsEleven Point River — Dalton to Old Ravenden
Class I · 6 mi · est. rangeGood to paddle457 cfsSaline River — Benton Water Trail
Class I · 6 mi · est. rangeGood to paddle616 cfsSpring River — Dam 3 to Hardy
Class II · 6.5 mi · est. rangeGood to paddle315 cfsAlapaha River — Lakeland to Statenville
Class I · 20 miGood to paddle3.7 ftAltamaha River — Jaycee Landing to Altamaha Regional Park
Flatwater · 14 mi · est. rangeGood to paddle3,130 cfsFind paddle-able water near you
Find water near you
Sorted by straight-line distance from your location.
Browse by state
454 sections · 15 states
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How it works
We read live streamflow from USGS gauges every 30 minutes and compare it to a curated runnable range for each named river section. Then we translate that into a simple verdict: too low, good to paddle, high–caution, or dangerous. It's an informational estimate — never a substitute for scouting, a PFD, and local knowledge.
Paddling gear we recommend
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
See all our gear picks by category →- Onyx MoveVent Dynamic paddling life vestMesh-back PFD shaped for kayak seats — comfortable enough that you’ll actually keep it on.View on Amazon ↗
- Earth Pak roll-top dry bagKeeps clothes, keys and snacks dry through a flip; shoulder strap makes portages easy.View on Amazon ↗
- JOTO waterproof phone pouchCheap insurance — shoot photos and re-check the gauge mid-float without drowning your phone.View on Amazon ↗
- Merrell Hydro MocSlip-on drainers for sandy launches — easy on, easy off, hard to destroy.View on Amazon ↗
- Bending Branches Whisper kayak paddleLight, tough two-piece paddle — a big upgrade over rental-grade aluminum.View on Amazon ↗
- Columbia PFG Terminal Tackle sun shirtUPF 50 long sleeve that dries fast — sunscreen you don’t have to reapply.View on Amazon ↗