What water level is good for paddling Hudson River — Hadley to Lake Luzerne?

This section is generally runnable at 400–6,000 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 Hudson River levels?

We read USGS gauge 01318500 — 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 Hudson River — Hadley to Lake Luzerne 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 Hudson River here?

Typically May–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 Hudson River — Hadley to Lake Luzerne?

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.

Hudson River — Hadley to Lake Luzerne: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class I4 mi · ~2 hrHudson RiverNew York

Verdict · updated Aug 22, 7:15 PM UTC

Good to paddle

Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.

Estimated range

480 cfs

1.6 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 01318500

Runnable 400 – 6,000 cfs

04006,0007,120

What this means today

At 480 cfs the Hudson River is inside the runnable range but only 80 cfs above the 400 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 732 cfs to 480 cfs, 34% down. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 547 cfs and 716 cfs, ending roughly where it started.

Paddling Hadley to Lake Luzerne

Hudson River at Hadley to Lake Luzerne is a 4-mile Class I run in New York — easygoing moving water with light riffles and nothing technical. Most paddlers put in at Hadley (Sacandaga confluence area) and take out at Lake Luzerne (ABOVE Rockwell Falls), 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 400–6,000 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and the Hudson 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 01318500 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 May–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 I
Length: 4 mi
Float time: ~2 hr
Best months: May–September
Put-in: Hadley (Sacandaga confluence area) ↗
Take-out: Lake Luzerne (ABOVE Rockwell Falls) ↗

Reading USGS gauge 01318500 — HUDSON RIVER AT HADLEY NY ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Hudson River — Hadley to Lake Luzerne?: This section is generally runnable at 400–6,000 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 Hudson River levels?: We read USGS gauge 01318500 — 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 Hudson River — Hadley to Lake Luzerne 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 Hudson River here?: Typically May–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 Hudson River — Hadley to Lake Luzerne?: 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

Too low · 96 cfs