What water level is good for paddling Delaware River — Lackawaxen to Milford?

This section is generally runnable at 500–10,000 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 Delaware River levels?

We read USGS gauge 01428500 — 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 Delaware River — Lackawaxen to Milford 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 Delaware River here?

Typically May–September, 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 Delaware River — Lackawaxen to Milford?

This reach is about 11 miles, roughly 4 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Delaware River — Lackawaxen to Milford: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class I11 mi · ~4 hrDelaware RiverPennsylvania

Verdict · updated Aug 23, 1:30 AM UTC

Good to paddle

Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.

Estimated range

1,630 cfs

3.4 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 01428500

Runnable 500 – 10,000 cfs

050010,00011,900

What this means today

At 1,630 cfs the Delaware River is inside the runnable range but only 1,130 cfs above the 500 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 barely moved, 1,700 cfs to 1,630 cfs. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 1,690 cfs and 2,160 cfs, 21% lower at the end of the week than the start.

Paddling Lackawaxen to Milford

Delaware River at Lackawaxen to Milford is a 11-mile Class I run in Pennsylvania — easygoing moving water with light riffles and nothing technical. Most paddlers put in at Lackawaxen, PA access and take out at Milford Beach, PA (approx.), 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 500–10,000 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and the Delaware 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 01428500 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 May–September. 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: 11 mi
Float time: ~4 hr
Best months: May–September
Put-in: Lackawaxen, PA access ↗
Take-out: Milford Beach, PA (approx.) ↗

Reading USGS gauge 01428500 — DELAWARE R ABOVE LACKAWAXEN R NEAR BARRYVILLE NY ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Delaware River — Lackawaxen to Milford?: This section is generally runnable at 500–10,000 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 Delaware River levels?: We read USGS gauge 01428500 — 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 Delaware River — Lackawaxen to Milford 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 Delaware River here?: Typically May–September, 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 Delaware River — Lackawaxen to Milford?: This reach is about 11 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 · 2,280 cfs