What water level is good for paddling Eleven Point River — Dalton to Old Ravenden?

This section is generally runnable at 120–1,500 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 Eleven Point River levels?

We read USGS gauge 07072000 — 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 Eleven Point River — Dalton to Old Ravenden good for beginners?

This section is rated Class I. 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 Eleven Point River here?

Typically March–July, 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 Eleven Point River — Dalton to Old Ravenden?

This reach is about 6 miles, roughly 3.5 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Eleven Point River — Dalton to Old Ravenden: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class I6 mi · ~3.5 hrEleven Point RiverArkansas

Verdict · updated Aug 27, 9:45 AM UTC

Good to paddle

Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.

Estimated range

457 cfs

2.7 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 07072000

Runnable 120 – 1,500 cfs

01201,5001,776

What this means today

At 457 cfs the Eleven Point River is sitting in the middle of the 120 cfs–1,500 cfs range for this reach, with 337 cfs of margin to the nearer edge — the most forgiving part of the window on the numbers alone.

Over the last 24 hours it has barely moved, 463 cfs to 457 cfs. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 460 cfs and 518 cfs, 11% lower at the end of the week than the start.

Paddling Dalton to Old Ravenden

Eleven Point River at Dalton to Old Ravenden is a 6-mile Class I run in Arkansas — easygoing moving water with light riffles and nothing technical. Most paddlers put in at Dalton (Hwy 62) and take out at Old Ravenden (Hwy 90), a trip that runs about 3.5 hours at a relaxed pace.

Whether it's worth the drive comes down to flow. This section generally paddles well at 120–1,500 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and the Eleven Point River 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 07072000 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–July. 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 I
Length: 6 mi
Float time: ~3.5 hr
Best months: March–July
Put-in: Dalton (Hwy 62)
Take-out: Old Ravenden (Hwy 90)

Reading USGS gauge 07072000 — Eleven Point River near Ravenden Springs, AR ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Eleven Point River — Dalton to Old Ravenden?: This section is generally runnable at 120–1,500 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 Eleven Point River levels?: We read USGS gauge 07072000 — 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 Eleven Point River — Dalton to Old Ravenden good for beginners?: This section is rated Class I. 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 Eleven Point River here?: Typically March–July, 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 Eleven Point River — Dalton to Old Ravenden?: This reach is about 6 miles, roughly 3.5 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Nearby sections

Good to paddle · 317 cfs