What water level is good for paddling Saline River — Rye (lower Water Trail)?

This section is generally runnable at 150–2,500 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 Saline River levels?

We read USGS gauge 07363500 — 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 Saline River — Rye (lower Water Trail) 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 Saline River here?

Typically March–October, 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 Saline River — Rye (lower Water Trail)?

This reach is about 8 miles, roughly 4.5 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Saline River — Rye (lower Water Trail): River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class I8 mi · ~4.5 hrSaline RiverArkansas

Verdict · updated Aug 24, 3:15 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

23 cfs

4.2 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 07363500

Runnable 150 – 2,500 cfs

01502,5002,970

What this means today

At 23 cfs the Saline River is 127 cfs short of the 150 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, 23 cfs to 23 cfs. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 23 cfs and 28 cfs, ending roughly where it started.

Paddling Rye (lower Water Trail)

Saline River at Rye (lower Water Trail) is a 8-mile Class I run in Arkansas — easygoing moving water with light riffles and nothing technical. Most paddlers put in at Rye (Hwy 189) and take out at Saline River WMA / near Warren, a trip that runs about 4.5 hours at a relaxed pace.

Whether it's worth the drive comes down to flow. This section generally paddles well at 150–2,500 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and the Saline 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 07363500 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–October. 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: 8 mi
Float time: ~4.5 hr
Best months: March–October
Put-in: Rye (Hwy 189)
Take-out: Saline River WMA / near Warren

Reading USGS gauge 07363500 — Saline River near Rye, AR ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Saline River — Rye (lower Water Trail)?: This section is generally runnable at 150–2,500 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 Saline River levels?: We read USGS gauge 07363500 — 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 Saline River — Rye (lower Water Trail) 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 Saline River here?: Typically March–October, 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 Saline River — Rye (lower Water Trail)?: This reach is about 8 miles, roughly 4.5 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Nearby sections

Good to paddle · 692 cfs