What water level is good for paddling St. Francis River — calm reach below Patterson?

This section is generally runnable at 100–2,500 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 St. Francis River levels?

We read USGS gauge 07037500 — 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 St. Francis River — calm reach below Patterson 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 St. Francis 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 St. Francis River — calm reach below Patterson?

This reach is about 8 miles, roughly 4 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

St. Francis River — calm reach below Patterson: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class I8 mi · ~4 hrSt. Francis RiverMissouri

Verdict · updated Oct 18, 4:30 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

63 cfs

4.6 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 07037500

Runnable 100 – 2,500 cfs

01002,5002,980

What this means today

At 63 cfs the St. Francis River is 37 cfs short of the 100 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, 63 cfs to 63 cfs. Daily means over the past 6 days have run between 61 cfs and 66 cfs, ending roughly where it started.

Paddling calm reach below Patterson

St. Francis River at calm reach below Patterson is a 8-mile Class I run in Missouri — easygoing moving water with light riffles and nothing technical. Most paddlers put in at Patterson area and take out at downstream access, 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 100–2,500 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and the St. Francis 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 07037500 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: 8 mi
Float time: ~4 hr
Best months: April–October
Put-in: Patterson area
Take-out: downstream access

Reading USGS gauge 07037500 — St. Francis River near Patterson, MO ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling St. Francis River — calm reach below Patterson?: This section is generally runnable at 100–2,500 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 St. Francis River levels?: We read USGS gauge 07037500 — 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 St. Francis River — calm reach below Patterson 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 St. Francis 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 St. Francis River — calm reach below Patterson?: This reach is about 8 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 · 177 cfs