What water level is good for paddling White River — Rim Shoals to Calico Rock?

We don't yet have a published runnable range for this section, so we can't give a firm number. Check the live USGS gauge and ask a local outfitter before you go.

How do I check White River levels?

We read USGS gauge 07060500 — 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 White River — Rim Shoals to Calico Rock 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 White River here?

Typically April–November, 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 White River — Rim Shoals to Calico Rock?

This reach is about 14 miles, roughly 6 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

White River — Rim Shoals to Calico Rock: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class I14 mi · ~6 hrWhite RiverArkansas

Verdict · updated Aug 25, 8:15 PM UTC

No runnable range yet

We don’t have a runnable range for this section yet — many of these are calm or dam-controlled reaches. Here’s the current gauge reading; check it (and, for tailwaters, the dam’s generation schedule) before you go.

Estimated range

6,740 cfs

4.8 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 07060500

What this means today

There is no published runnable range for this reach, so we won't grade the reading against one. What we can show is what the gauge itself is doing.

Daily average flow — a different measurement from the gauge height this reach is graded on — has run between 2,680 cfs and 10,000 cfs, 73% lower at the end of the week than the start.

Paddling Rim Shoals to Calico Rock

White River at Rim Shoals to Calico Rock is a 14-mile Class I run in Arkansas — easygoing moving water with light riffles and nothing technical. Most paddlers put in at Rim Shoals Access and take out at Calico Rock, a trip that runs about 6 hours at a relaxed pace.

We track USGS gauge 07060500 for this reach, but there isn't a published runnable range for it yet, so we won't invent a firm number. Use the live reading and 7-day trend above to see whether the White River is rising or falling, and check with a local outfitter or paddling club before you commit to a launch.

Flows here are usually most dependable April–November. 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: 14 mi
Float time: ~6 hr
Best months: April–November
Put-in: Rim Shoals Access
Take-out: Calico Rock

Reading USGS gauge 07060500 — White River at Calico Rock, AR ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling White River — Rim Shoals to Calico Rock?: We don't yet have a published runnable range for this section, so we can't give a firm number. Check the live USGS gauge and ask a local outfitter before you go.
How do I check White River levels?: We read USGS gauge 07060500 — 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 White River — Rim Shoals to Calico Rock 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 White River here?: Typically April–November, 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 White River — Rim Shoals to Calico Rock?: This reach is about 14 miles, roughly 6 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Nearby sections

Too low · 5 cfs