What water level is good for paddling Dan River — Madison to Wentworth?

This section is generally runnable at 100–2,000 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 Dan River levels?

We read USGS gauge 02071000 — 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 Dan River — Madison to Wentworth 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 Dan River here?

Typically March–November, 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 Dan River — Madison to Wentworth?

This reach is about 6 miles, roughly 3 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Dan River — Madison to Wentworth: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class I6 mi · ~3 hrDan RiverNorth Carolina

Verdict · updated Aug 27, 6:45 PM UTC

Good to paddle

Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.

Estimated range

208 cfs

1.0 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 02071000

Runnable 100 – 2,000 cfs

01002,0002,380

What this means today

At 208 cfs the Dan River is inside the runnable range but only 108 cfs above the 100 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 246 cfs to 208 cfs, 15% down. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 217 cfs and 328 cfs, 12% lower at the end of the week than the start.

Paddling Madison to Wentworth

Dan River at Madison to Wentworth is a 6-mile Class I run in North Carolina — easygoing moving water with light riffles and nothing technical. Most paddlers put in at Madison / Lindsey Bridge area and take out at Near Wentworth, a trip that runs about 3 hours at a relaxed pace.

Whether it's worth the drive comes down to flow. This section generally paddles well at 100–2,000 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and the Dan 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 02071000 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 March–November. 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: 6 mi
Float time: ~3 hr
Best months: March–November
Put-in: Madison / Lindsey Bridge area
Take-out: Near Wentworth ↗

Reading USGS gauge 02071000 — DAN RIVER NEAR WENTWORTH, NC ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Dan River — Madison to Wentworth?: This section is generally runnable at 100–2,000 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 Dan River levels?: We read USGS gauge 02071000 — 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 Dan River — Madison to Wentworth 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 Dan River here?: Typically March–November, 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 Dan River — Madison to Wentworth?: This reach is about 6 miles, roughly 3 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Nearby sections

Good to paddle · 371 cfs