What water level is good for paddling Beaver Kill — Cooks Falls to Peakville?

This section is generally runnable at 150–1,500 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 Beaver Kill levels?

We read USGS gauge 01420500 — 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 Beaver Kill — Cooks Falls to Peakville 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 Beaver Kill here?

Typically April–July, 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 Beaver Kill — Cooks Falls to Peakville?

This reach is about 4 miles, roughly 2 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Beaver Kill — Cooks Falls to Peakville: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class II4 mi · ~2 hrBeaver KillNew York

Verdict · updated Aug 27, 1:15 PM UTC

Good to paddle

Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.

Estimated range

201 cfs

1.7 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 01420500

Runnable 150 – 1,500 cfs

01501,5001,770

What this means today

At 201 cfs Beaver Kill is inside the runnable range but only 51 cfs above the 150 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 gone from 220 cfs to 201 cfs, 9% down. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 216 cfs and 368 cfs, 31% lower at the end of the week than the start.

Paddling Cooks Falls to Peakville

Beaver Kill at Cooks Falls to Peakville is a 4-mile Class II run in New York — bouncy wave trains and the occasional small rapid. Most paddlers put in at Cooks Falls access (Old Rt 17) and take out at Peakville bridge, a trip that runs about 2 hours at a relaxed pace.

Whether it's worth the drive comes down to flow. This section generally paddles well at 150–1,500 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and Beaver Kill 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 01420500 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–July. 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: 4 mi
Float time: ~2 hr
Best months: April–July
Put-in: Cooks Falls access (Old Rt 17) ↗
Take-out: Peakville bridge ↗

Reading USGS gauge 01420500 — BEAVER KILL AT COOKS FALLS NY ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Beaver Kill — Cooks Falls to Peakville?: This section is generally runnable at 150–1,500 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 Beaver Kill levels?: We read USGS gauge 01420500 — 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 Beaver Kill — Cooks Falls to Peakville 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 Beaver Kill here?: Typically April–July, 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 Beaver Kill — Cooks Falls to Peakville?: This reach is about 4 miles, roughly 2 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Nearby sections

No reading