What water level is good for paddling Withlacoochee River — Troupville to Georgia-Florida Line?

This section is generally runnable at 1.8–10.5 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 Withlacoochee River levels?

We read USGS gauge 02318500 — 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 Withlacoochee River — Troupville to Georgia-Florida Line 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 Withlacoochee River here?

Typically Year-round, 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 Withlacoochee River — Troupville to Georgia-Florida Line?

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.

Withlacoochee River — Troupville to Georgia-Florida Line: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class I20 mi · ~8 hrWithlacoochee RiverGeorgia

Verdict · updated Aug 24, 6:00 AM UTC

Good to paddle

Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.

2.3 ft

96 cfs

USGS gauge 02318500

Runnable 1.8 – 10.5 ft

01.810.512.2

What this means today

At 2.3 ft the Withlacoochee River is inside the runnable range but only 0.4 ft above the 1.8 ft floor, so it is sitting at the shallow end of what this reach runs at. A dry few days would take it under.

Over the last 24 hours it has barely moved, 2.4 ft to 2.3 ft. Daily average flow — a different measurement from the gauge height this reach is graded on — has run between 141 cfs and 279 cfs, 49% lower at the end of the week than the start.

Paddling Troupville to Georgia-Florida Line

Withlacoochee River at Troupville to Georgia-Florida Line is a 20-mile Class I run in Georgia — easygoing moving water with light riffles and nothing technical. Most paddlers put in at Troupville Boat Ramp (Valdosta) and take out at Georgia-Florida state line (Madison Hwy), 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 1.8–10.5 ft. Much below that and the Withlacoochee 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 02318500 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.

This reach can run year-round in a typical year, though levels still swing with rain and dry spells — the live gauge always beats the calendar, so check today's reading before you load the car.

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: Year-round
Put-in: Troupville Boat Ramp (Valdosta)
Take-out: Georgia-Florida state line (Madison Hwy)

Reading USGS gauge 02318500 — WITHLACOOCHEE RIVER AT US 84, NEAR QUITMAN, GA ↗

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Withlacoochee River — Troupville to Georgia-Florida Line?: This section is generally runnable at 1.8–10.5 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 Withlacoochee River levels?: We read USGS gauge 02318500 — 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 Withlacoochee River — Troupville to Georgia-Florida Line 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 Withlacoochee River here?: Typically Year-round, 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 Withlacoochee River — Troupville to Georgia-Florida Line?: 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 · 3.8 ft