What water level is good for paddling Cartecay River — Lower Cartecay to Ellijay?

This section is generally runnable at 150–1,200 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 Cartecay River levels?

We read USGS gauge 02379500 — 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 Cartecay River — Lower Cartecay to Ellijay 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 Cartecay 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 Cartecay River — Lower Cartecay to Ellijay?

This reach is about 7 miles, roughly 4 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Cartecay River — Lower Cartecay to Ellijay: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class II7 mi · ~4 hrCartecay RiverGeorgia

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

142 cfs

1.6 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 02379500

Runnable 150 – 1,200 cfs

01501,2001,410

What this means today

At 142 cfs the Cartecay River is 8 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, 149 cfs to 142 cfs. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 153 cfs and 240 cfs, 13% lower at the end of the week than the start.

Paddling Lower Cartecay to Ellijay

Cartecay River at Lower Cartecay to Ellijay is a 7-mile Class II run in Georgia — bouncy wave trains and the occasional small rapid. Most paddlers put in at Lower Cartecay River Road and take out at Ellijay (Cartecay confluence), a trip that runs about 4 hours at a relaxed pace.

Whether it's worth the drive comes down to flow. This section generally paddles well at 150–1,200 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and the Cartecay 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 02379500 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 II
Length: 7 mi
Float time: ~4 hr
Best months: March–November
Put-in: Lower Cartecay River Road
Take-out: Ellijay (Cartecay confluence)

Reading USGS gauge 02379500 — CARTECAY RIVER NEAR ELLIJAY, GA ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Cartecay River — Lower Cartecay to Ellijay?: This section is generally runnable at 150–1,200 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 Cartecay River levels?: We read USGS gauge 02379500 — 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 Cartecay River — Lower Cartecay to Ellijay 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 Cartecay 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 Cartecay River — Lower Cartecay to Ellijay?: This reach is about 7 miles, roughly 4 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Nearby sections

Good to paddle · 244 cfs