What water level is good for paddling Coosawattee River — Carters Dam Tailrace to GA 136?

This section is generally runnable at 400–5,000 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 Coosawattee River levels?

We read USGS gauge 02382500 — 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 Coosawattee River — Carters Dam Tailrace to GA 136 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 Coosawattee River here?

Typically April–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 Coosawattee River — Carters Dam Tailrace to GA 136?

This reach is about 9 miles, roughly 4 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Coosawattee River — Carters Dam Tailrace to GA 136: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class I9 mi · ~4 hrCoosawattee RiverGeorgia

Verdict · updated Oct 18, 8:00 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

265 cfs

3.9 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 02382500

Runnable 400 – 5,000 cfs

04005,0005,920

What this means today

At 265 cfs the Coosawattee River is 135 cfs short of the 400 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, 277 cfs to 265 cfs. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 273 cfs and 975 cfs, ending roughly where it started.

Paddling Carters Dam Tailrace to GA 136

Coosawattee River at Carters Dam Tailrace to GA 136 is a 9-mile Class I run in Georgia — easygoing moving water with light riffles and nothing technical. Most paddlers put in at Carters Dam re-regulation tailrace and take out at GA 136 (near Pine Chapel), 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 400–5,000 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and the Coosawattee 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 02382500 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 April–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: 9 mi
Float time: ~4 hr
Best months: April–October
Put-in: Carters Dam re-regulation tailrace
Take-out: GA 136 (near Pine Chapel)

Reading USGS gauge 02382500 — COOSAWATTEE RIVER AT CARTERS, GA ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Coosawattee River — Carters Dam Tailrace to GA 136?: This section is generally runnable at 400–5,000 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 Coosawattee River levels?: We read USGS gauge 02382500 — 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 Coosawattee River — Carters Dam Tailrace to GA 136 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 Coosawattee River here?: Typically April–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 Coosawattee River — Carters Dam Tailrace to GA 136?: This reach is about 9 miles, roughly 4 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Nearby sections

Too low · 109 cfs