What water level is good for paddling North Sylamore Creek — Gunner Pool to Sylamore?

This section is generally runnable at 40–400 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 North Sylamore Creek levels?

We read USGS gauge 07060710 — 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 North Sylamore Creek — Gunner Pool to Sylamore 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 North Sylamore 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 North Sylamore Creek — Gunner Pool to Sylamore?

This reach is about 5.5 miles, roughly 3.5 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

North Sylamore Creek — Gunner Pool to Sylamore: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class II5.5 mi · ~3.5 hrNorth Sylamore CreekArkansas

Verdict · updated Aug 24, 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

3 cfs

1.4 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 07060710

Runnable 40 – 400 cfs

040400472

What this means today

At 3 cfs North Sylamore Creek is 37 cfs short of the 40 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.

Over the last 24 hours it has barely moved, 4 cfs to 3 cfs. Daily means over the past 6 days have run between 3 cfs and 4 cfs, ending roughly where it started.

Paddling Gunner Pool to Sylamore

North Sylamore Creek at Gunner Pool to Sylamore is a 5.5-mile Class II run in Arkansas — bouncy wave trains and the occasional small rapid. Most paddlers put in at Gunner Pool Recreation Area and take out at Sylamore Access (Allison, Hwy 14), 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 40–400 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and North Sylamore 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 07060710 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: 5.5 mi
Float time: ~3.5 hr
Best months: March–June
Put-in: Gunner Pool Recreation Area
Take-out: Sylamore Access (Allison, Hwy 14)

Reading USGS gauge 07060710 — North Sylamore Creek near Fifty Six, AR ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling North Sylamore Creek — Gunner Pool to Sylamore?: This section is generally runnable at 40–400 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 North Sylamore Creek levels?: We read USGS gauge 07060710 — 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 North Sylamore Creek — Gunner Pool to Sylamore 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 North Sylamore 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 North Sylamore Creek — Gunner Pool to Sylamore?: This reach is about 5.5 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

No reading