Tuscarawas River — Canal Fulton to Massillon: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?
Verdict · updated Aug 27, 5:15 PM UTC
Good to paddle
Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.
Estimated range
179 cfs
8.5 ft gauge height
USGS gauge 03117000
Runnable 100 – 1,800 cfs
What this means today
At 179 cfs the Tuscarawas River is inside the runnable range but only 79 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 196 cfs to 179 cfs, 9% down. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 194 cfs and 284 cfs, 28% lower at the end of the week than the start.
Paddling Canal Fulton to Massillon
Tuscarawas River at Canal Fulton to Massillon is a 9-mile Class I run in Ohio — easygoing moving water with light riffles and nothing technical. Most paddlers put in at Canal Fulton (Canalway access) and take out at Massillon riverfront 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 100–1,800 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and the Tuscarawas 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 03117000 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
Section facts
- Difficulty
- Class I
- Length
- 9 mi
- Float time
- ~4 hr
- Best months
- April–October
- Put-in
- Canal Fulton (Canalway access)
- Take-out
- Massillon riverfront access
Reading USGS gauge 03117000 — Tuscarawas River at Massillon OH ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)
FAQ
- What water level is good for paddling Tuscarawas River — Canal Fulton to Massillon?
- This section is generally runnable at 100–1,800 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 Tuscarawas River levels?
- We read USGS gauge 03117000 — 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 Tuscarawas River — Canal Fulton to Massillon 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 Tuscarawas 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 Tuscarawas River — Canal Fulton to Massillon?
- This reach is about 9 miles, roughly 4 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.