What water level is good for paddling Meramec River — Upper reach near Steelville?

This section is generally runnable at 80–2,500 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 Meramec River levels?

We read USGS gauge 07013000 — 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 Meramec River — Upper reach near Steelville 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 Meramec 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 Meramec River — Upper reach near Steelville?

This reach is about 10 miles, roughly 5 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Meramec River — Upper reach near Steelville: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class I10 mi · ~5 hrMeramec RiverMissouri

Verdict · updated Aug 27, 5:15 AM UTC

Good to paddle

Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.

Estimated range

236 cfs

1.5 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 07013000

Runnable 80 – 2,500 cfs

0802,5002,984

What this means today

At 236 cfs the Meramec River is inside the runnable range but only 156 cfs above the 80 cfs 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, 240 cfs to 236 cfs. Daily means over the past 6 days have run between 250 cfs and 506 cfs, 51% lower at the end of the week than the start.

Paddling Upper reach near Steelville

Meramec River at Upper reach near Steelville is a 10-mile Class I run in Missouri — easygoing moving water with light riffles and nothing technical. Most paddlers put in at Steelville-area access and take out at Meramec State Park area, a trip that runs about 5 hours at a relaxed pace.

Whether it's worth the drive comes down to flow. This section generally paddles well at 80–2,500 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and the Meramec 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 07013000 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: 10 mi
Float time: ~5 hr
Best months: April–October
Put-in: Steelville-area access
Take-out: Meramec State Park area

Reading USGS gauge 07013000 — Meramec River near Steelville, MO ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Meramec River — Upper reach near Steelville?: This section is generally runnable at 80–2,500 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 Meramec River levels?: We read USGS gauge 07013000 — 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 Meramec River — Upper reach near Steelville 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 Meramec 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 Meramec River — Upper reach near Steelville?: This reach is about 10 miles, roughly 5 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Nearby sections

Good to paddle · 471 cfs