Clarion River — Cooksburg to Gravel Lick: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?
Verdict · updated Aug 27, 7:00 PM UTC
Good to paddle
Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.
Estimated range
980 cfs
3.4 ft gauge height
USGS gauge 03029500
Runnable 250 – 5,000 cfs
What this means today
At 980 cfs the Clarion River is inside the runnable range but only 730 cfs above the 250 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 1,150 cfs to 980 cfs, 15% down. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 728 cfs and 1,890 cfs, 59% higher at the end of the week than the start. The last day and the week as a whole point opposite ways, which usually means a recent rain bump on top of a longer rising trend — worth a second look at the chart before you commit to the drive.
Paddling Cooksburg to Gravel Lick
Clarion River at Cooksburg to Gravel Lick is a 10-mile Class II run in Pennsylvania — bouncy wave trains and the occasional small rapid. Most paddlers put in at Cook Forest canoe launch, Cooksburg, PA and take out at Gravel Lick, PA 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 250–5,000 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and the Clarion 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 03029500 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–June. 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 II
- Length
- 10 mi
- Float time
- ~4 hr
- Best months
- April–June
- Take-out
- Gravel Lick, PA access
Reading USGS gauge 03029500 — Clarion River at Cooksburg, PA ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)
FAQ
- What water level is good for paddling Clarion River — Cooksburg to Gravel Lick?
- This section is generally runnable at 250–5,000 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 Clarion River levels?
- We read USGS gauge 03029500 — 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 Clarion River — Cooksburg to Gravel Lick good for beginners?
- This section is rated Class II. 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 Clarion River here?
- Typically April–June, 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 Clarion River — Cooksburg to Gravel Lick?
- This reach is about 10 miles, roughly 4 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.
Nearby sections
French Creek — Utica to Franklin
Class I · 7 mi · est. range · 28 mi away
Good to paddle · 5,890 cfsAllegheny River — Franklin to Emlenton
Class I · 20 mi · est. range · 32 mi away
Good to paddle · 9,820 cfsAllegheny River — Kittanning to Ford City
Flatwater · 6 mi · est. range · 40 mi away