What to Do If the River Is Too Low

You checked the gauge and your favorite run is below its minimum. Don’t give up on the day — you have good options.

Move to a bigger river

When small creeks dry up, larger rivers with big drainages often still have plenty of water. Use the all-rivers page or the near-me tool on the home page to find a nearby section that’s currently showing “good to paddle.”

Find a dam-release run

Dam-controlled tailwaters run on releases, not rain, so they can be perfectly floatable in a drought while free-flowing streams are bone dry. Many of our sections note when a reach is dam-controlled. Learn the pattern in how dam releases change everything.

Switch to flatwater

A lake, reservoir, or a slow pooled section doesn’t care about flow. It’s a great low-water fallback for a paddle or a SUP session, and a good day to practice skills.

Wait for rain — and catch the window

After a storm, small rivers rise and fall quickly. Watch the 7-day trend: the day or two after rain is often the sweet spot, once the river comes up but before it drops back out. Just don’t overshoot into high, muddy, rising water — see the high-water guide.

Or embrace the scrape

If you’re set on your river, a low run is still doable — just plan to walk the shallow riffles, wear shoes you don’t mind soaking, and protect your hull. It’s slow, but a low, clear river can be beautiful.

Whatever you choose, confirm a steady “good” verdict on the section page and read the safety guide first.