What water level is good for paddling Stillwater River — Pleasant Hill to Englewood MetroPark?

This section is generally runnable at 80–1,500 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 Stillwater River levels?

We read USGS gauge 03266000 — 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 Stillwater River — Pleasant Hill to Englewood MetroPark 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 Stillwater River here?

Typically April–October, 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 Stillwater River — Pleasant Hill to Englewood MetroPark?

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.

Stillwater River — Pleasant Hill to Englewood MetroPark: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class I8 mi · ~4 hrStillwater RiverOhio

Verdict · updated Aug 24, 6:30 AM UTC

Good to paddle

Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.

Estimated range

881 cfs

5.5 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 03266000

Runnable 80 – 1,500 cfs

0801,5001,784

What this means today

At 881 cfs the Stillwater River is sitting in the middle of the 80 cfs–1,500 cfs range for this reach, with 619 cfs of margin to the nearer edge — the most forgiving part of the window on the numbers alone.

Over the last 24 hours it has gone from 1,230 cfs to 881 cfs, 28% down. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 1,080 cfs and 6,380 cfs, 82% lower at the end of the week than the start.

Paddling Pleasant Hill to Englewood MetroPark

Stillwater River at Pleasant Hill to Englewood MetroPark is a 8-mile Class I run in Ohio — easygoing moving water with light riffles and nothing technical. Most paddlers put in at Pleasant Hill / Covington area access and take out at Englewood MetroPark canoe access, 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 80–1,500 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and the Stillwater 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 03266000 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 April–October. 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: April–October
Put-in: Pleasant Hill / Covington area access
Take-out: Englewood MetroPark canoe access

Reading USGS gauge 03266000 — Stillwater River at Englewood OH ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Stillwater River — Pleasant Hill to Englewood MetroPark?: This section is generally runnable at 80–1,500 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 Stillwater River levels?: We read USGS gauge 03266000 — 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 Stillwater River — Pleasant Hill to Englewood MetroPark 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 Stillwater River here?: Typically April–October, 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 Stillwater River — Pleasant Hill to Englewood MetroPark?: 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

High — caution · 4,080 cfs