What water level is good for paddling Alapaha River — Lakeland to Statenville?

This section is generally runnable at 2–10 ft. 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 Alapaha River levels?

We read USGS gauge 02317500 — 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 Alapaha River — Lakeland to Statenville 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 Alapaha River here?

Typically March–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 Alapaha River — Lakeland to Statenville?

This reach is about 20 miles, roughly 8 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Alapaha River — Lakeland to Statenville: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class I20 mi · ~8 hrAlapaha RiverGeorgia

Verdict · updated Aug 27, 8:45 AM UTC

Good to paddle

Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.

3.8 ft

354 cfs

USGS gauge 02317500

Runnable 2 – 10 ft

021011.6

What this means today

At 3.8 ft the Alapaha River is sitting in the middle of the 2 ft–10 ft range for this reach, with 1.8 ft 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, 3.9 ft to 3.8 ft. Daily average flow — a different measurement from the gauge height this reach is graded on — has run between 263 cfs and 390 cfs, 29% higher at the end of the week than the start.

Paddling Lakeland to Statenville

Alapaha River at Lakeland to Statenville is a 20-mile Class I run in Georgia — easygoing moving water with light riffles and nothing technical. Most paddlers put in at Lakeland (GA 122) and take out at Statenville (GA 94), a trip that runs about 8 hours at a relaxed pace.

Whether it's worth the drive comes down to flow. This section generally paddles well at 2–10 ft. Much below that and the Alapaha 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 02317500 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–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: 20 mi
Float time: ~8 hr
Best months: March–November
Put-in: Lakeland (GA 122)
Take-out: Statenville (GA 94)

Reading USGS gauge 02317500 — ALAPAHA RIVER AT STATENVILLE, GA ↗

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Alapaha River — Lakeland to Statenville?: This section is generally runnable at 2–10 ft. 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 Alapaha River levels?: We read USGS gauge 02317500 — 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 Alapaha River — Lakeland to Statenville 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 Alapaha River here?: Typically March–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 Alapaha River — Lakeland to Statenville?: This reach is about 20 miles, roughly 8 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Nearby sections

Good to paddle · 2.9 ft