What water level is good for paddling Cadron Creek — to Cadron Settlement Park?

This section is generally runnable at 120–1,200 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Below that it gets too low and bony; well above the top of the range it becomes pushy and then dangerous. We compare the live USGS reading to that range to produce today's verdict.

How do I check Cadron Creek levels?

We read USGS gauge 07261000 — the same public data USGS publishes — about every 30 minutes and compare it to the runnable range for this reach. You can also view the raw gauge yourself at waterdata.usgs.gov.

Is Cadron Creek — to Cadron Settlement Park good for beginners?

This section is rated Class II. At good levels it suits confident beginners and up, but it can have riffles or small rapids. Scout anything you can't see, and stay off it at high water.

When is the best time to paddle Cadron Creek here?

Typically March–June, when flows are most reliable for this section. Spring can run high after rain or snowmelt; late summer can drop too low. Always check today's gauge reading rather than assuming.

How long does it take to float Cadron Creek — to Cadron Settlement Park?

This reach is about 9 miles, roughly 5 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Cadron Creek — to Cadron Settlement Park: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class II9 mi · ~5 hrCadron CreekArkansas

Verdict · updated Aug 27, 6:00 AM UTC

Too low to paddle

Not enough water to float well — expect scraping and walking. Wait for rain or a dam release.

Estimated range

6 cfs

0.8 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 07261000

Runnable 120 – 1,200 cfs

01201,2001,416

What this means today

At 6 cfs Cadron Creek is 114 cfs short of the 120 cfs this reach needs to float — that is the gap between today's reading and the bottom of the runnable range, not a small margin you can paddle through. It is climbing fast, though, so this one is worth re-checking rather than writing off.

Over the last 24 hours it has gone from 2 cfs to 6 cfs, 151% up. Daily means over the past 6 days have run between 0 cfs and 3 cfs, 925% higher at the end of the week than the start.

Paddling to Cadron Settlement Park

Cadron Creek at to Cadron Settlement Park is a 9-mile Class II run in Arkansas — bouncy wave trains and the occasional small rapid. Most paddlers put in at Hwy 285 Access and take out at Cadron Settlement Park (Hwy 64), a trip that runs about 5 hours at a relaxed pace.

Whether it's worth the drive comes down to flow. This section generally paddles well at 120–1,200 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and Cadron Creek gets low and bony, so you end up scraping gravel and walking the shallows; well above the top of the range it turns fast, cold and pushy, which is a more serious day than most casual boaters want. We read USGS gauge 07261000 about every 30 minutes and compare the live number to that window, so the verdict at the top of this page reflects conditions right now rather than a monthly average.

Flows here are usually most dependable March–June. Spring can run high after rain or snowmelt, and late summer often drops too low to float well — but the gauge always beats the calendar, so check today's reading before you go.

7-day flow trend

Daily mean flow (cfs), past 7 days. Shaded band = runnable range.

Section facts

Difficulty: Class II
Length: 9 mi
Float time: ~5 hr
Best months: March–June
Put-in: Hwy 285 Access
Take-out: Cadron Settlement Park (Hwy 64)

Reading USGS gauge 07261000 — Cadron Creek near Guy, AR ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Cadron Creek — to Cadron Settlement Park?: This section is generally runnable at 120–1,200 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Below that it gets too low and bony; well above the top of the range it becomes pushy and then dangerous. We compare the live USGS reading to that range to produce today's verdict.
How do I check Cadron Creek levels?: We read USGS gauge 07261000 — the same public data USGS publishes — about every 30 minutes and compare it to the runnable range for this reach. You can also view the raw gauge yourself at waterdata.usgs.gov.
Is Cadron Creek — to Cadron Settlement Park good for beginners?: This section is rated Class II. At good levels it suits confident beginners and up, but it can have riffles or small rapids. Scout anything you can't see, and stay off it at high water.
When is the best time to paddle Cadron Creek here?: Typically March–June, when flows are most reliable for this section. Spring can run high after rain or snowmelt; late summer can drop too low. Always check today's gauge reading rather than assuming.
How long does it take to float Cadron Creek — to Cadron Settlement Park?: This reach is about 9 miles, roughly 5 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Nearby sections

No reading