What water level is good for paddling Esopus Creek — Phoenicia tubing run?

This section is generally runnable at 150–800 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 Esopus Creek levels?

We read USGS gauge 01362500 — 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 Esopus Creek — Phoenicia tubing run 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 Esopus Creek here?

Typically June–September, 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 Esopus Creek — Phoenicia tubing run?

This reach is about 3 miles, roughly 2 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Esopus Creek — Phoenicia tubing run: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class II3 mi · ~2 hrEsopus CreekNew York

Verdict · updated Oct 18, 4:00 AM UTC

High — use caution

Flows are above the comfortable range. Expect strong current, pushy water, cold temperatures and fewer places to stop. Experienced paddlers only — many should wait.

Estimated range

808 cfs

5.3 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 01362500

Runnable 150 – 800 cfs

0150800930

What this means today

At 808 cfs Esopus Creek is 8 cfs above the 800 cfs ceiling for this reach, so it is running higher and faster than the range this section is graded for.

Over the last 24 hours it has barely moved, 842 cfs to 808 cfs. Daily means over the past 6 days have run between 397 cfs and 733 cfs, 85% higher at the end of the week than the start.

Paddling Phoenicia tubing run

Esopus Creek at Phoenicia tubing run is a 3-mile Class II run in New York — bouncy wave trains and the occasional small rapid. Most paddlers put in at Phoenicia (Bridge St / outfitter access) and take out at Mount Pleasant lower tube take-out, 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 150–800 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and Esopus Creek 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 01362500 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 June–September. 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: 3 mi
Float time: ~2 hr
Best months: June–September
Put-in: Phoenicia (Bridge St / outfitter access) ↗
Take-out: Mount Pleasant lower tube take-out

Reading USGS gauge 01362500 — ESOPUS CREEK AT COLDBROOK NY ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Esopus Creek — Phoenicia tubing run?: This section is generally runnable at 150–800 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 Esopus Creek levels?: We read USGS gauge 01362500 — 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 Esopus Creek — Phoenicia tubing run 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 Esopus Creek here?: Typically June–September, 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 Esopus Creek — Phoenicia tubing run?: This reach is about 3 miles, roughly 2 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Nearby sections

Good to paddle · 106 cfs