What water level is good for paddling Pee Dee River — Blewett Falls to US 74?

This section is generally runnable at above 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 Pee Dee River levels?

We read USGS gauge 02129000 — 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 Pee Dee River — Blewett Falls to US 74 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 Pee Dee 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 Pee Dee River — Blewett Falls to US 74?

This reach is about 8 miles, roughly 3.5 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Pee Dee River — Blewett Falls to US 74: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class I8 mi · ~3.5 hrPee Dee RiverNorth Carolina

Verdict · updated Aug 26, 4:30 PM UTC

Good to paddle

Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.

Estimated range

2,460 cfs

2.5 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 02129000

Runnable 500 – ? cfs

05003,0753,590

What this means today

At 2,460 cfs the Pee Dee River is 1,960 cfs above the 500 cfs minimum for this reach. There is no published upper bound for this section, so the reading tells you it is floatable, not how pushy it is.

Over the last 24 hours it has barely moved, 2,320 cfs to 2,460 cfs. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 2,320 cfs and 5,390 cfs, 33% lower at the end of the week than the start.

Paddling Blewett Falls to US 74

Pee Dee River at Blewett Falls to US 74 is a 8-mile Class I run in North Carolina — easygoing moving water with light riffles and nothing technical. Most paddlers put in at Below Blewett Falls Dam and take out at US 74 / downstream Pee Dee access, a trip that runs about 3.5 hours at a relaxed pace.

Whether it's worth the drive comes down to flow. This section generally paddles well at above 500 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and the Pee Dee 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 02129000 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: ~3.5 hr
Best months: March–November
Put-in: Below Blewett Falls Dam ↗
Take-out: US 74 / downstream Pee Dee access

Reading USGS gauge 02129000 — PEE DEE R NR ROCKINGHAM, NC ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Pee Dee River — Blewett Falls to US 74?: This section is generally runnable at above 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 Pee Dee River levels?: We read USGS gauge 02129000 — 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 Pee Dee River — Blewett Falls to US 74 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 Pee Dee 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 Pee Dee River — Blewett Falls to US 74?: This reach is about 8 miles, roughly 3.5 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Nearby sections

Good to paddle · 155 cfs