What water level is good for paddling Broad River — US 281 to Carlton?

This section is generally runnable at 2–6 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 Broad River levels?

We read USGS gauge 02191300 — 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 Broad River — US 281 to Carlton 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 Broad 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 Broad River — US 281 to Carlton?

This reach is about 5.8 miles, roughly 3 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Broad River — US 281 to Carlton: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class II5.8 mi · ~3 hrBroad RiverGeorgia

Verdict · updated Aug 24, 6:45 PM UTC

Too low to paddle

Not enough water to float well — expect scraping and walking. Wait for rain or a dam release.

0.8 ft

256 cfs

USGS gauge 02191300

Runnable 2 – 6 ft

0266.9

What this means today

At 0.8 ft the Broad River is 1.2 ft short of the 2 ft 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, 0.9 ft to 0.8 ft. Daily average flow — a different measurement from the gauge height this reach is graded on — has run between 245 cfs and 284 cfs, ending roughly where it started.

Paddling US 281 to Carlton

Broad River at US 281 to Carlton is a 5.8-mile Class II run in Georgia — bouncy wave trains and the occasional small rapid. Most paddlers put in at US 281 bridge and take out at Carlton (US 172), a trip that runs about 3 hours at a relaxed pace.

Whether it's worth the drive comes down to flow. This section generally paddles well at 2–6 ft. Much below that and the Broad 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 02191300 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 II
Length: 5.8 mi
Float time: ~3 hr
Best months: March–October
Put-in: US 281 bridge
Take-out: Carlton (US 172)

Reading USGS gauge 02191300 — BROAD RIVER ABOVE CARLTON, GA ↗

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Broad River — US 281 to Carlton?: This section is generally runnable at 2–6 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 Broad River levels?: We read USGS gauge 02191300 — 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 Broad River — US 281 to Carlton 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 Broad 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 Broad River — US 281 to Carlton?: This reach is about 5.8 miles, roughly 3 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Nearby sections

Too low · 85 cfs