What water level is good for paddling Lumber River — Wagram to Maxton?

This section is generally runnable at below 1,000 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 Lumber River levels?

We read USGS gauge 02133624 — 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 Lumber River — Wagram to Maxton 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 Lumber 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 Lumber River — Wagram to Maxton?

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.

Lumber River — Wagram to Maxton: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class I8 mi · ~4 hrLumber RiverNorth Carolina

Verdict · updated Aug 24, 9:00 PM UTC

Good to paddle

Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.

Estimated range

175 cfs

7.3 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 02133624

Runnable ? – 1,000 cfs

01,0001,200

What this means today

At 175 cfs the Lumber River is 825 cfs under the 1,000 cfs ceiling for this reach. There is no published minimum here, so a low reading may still be too thin to float — the trend below is the better guide.

Over the last 24 hours it has barely moved, 172 cfs to 175 cfs. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 76 cfs and 156 cfs, 56% higher at the end of the week than the start.

Paddling Wagram to Maxton

Lumber River at Wagram to Maxton is a 8-mile Class I run in North Carolina — easygoing moving water with light riffles and nothing technical. Most paddlers put in at Wagram / Turnpike Rd (Lumber River State Park) and take out at Near Maxton, 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 below 1,000 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and the Lumber 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 02133624 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: 8 mi
Float time: ~4 hr
Best months: March–November
Put-in: Wagram / Turnpike Rd (Lumber River State Park)
Take-out: Near Maxton ↗

Reading USGS gauge 02133624 — LUMBER RIVER NEAR MAXTON, NC ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Lumber River — Wagram to Maxton?: This section is generally runnable at below 1,000 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 Lumber River levels?: We read USGS gauge 02133624 — 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 Lumber River — Wagram to Maxton 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 Lumber 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 Lumber River — Wagram to Maxton?: 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 · 163 cfs