What water level is good for paddling Delaware River — Riegelsville to Frenchtown?

This section is generally runnable at 800–18,000 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 01457500 — 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 — Riegelsville to Frenchtown 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 June–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 — Riegelsville to Frenchtown?

This reach is about 8 miles, roughly 3 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Delaware River — Riegelsville to Frenchtown: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class I8 mi · ~3 hrDelaware RiverPennsylvania

Verdict · updated Aug 27, 10:15 AM UTC

Good to paddle

Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.

Estimated range

5,010 cfs

3.5 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 01457500

Runnable 800 – 18,000 cfs

080018,00021,440

What this means today

At 5,010 cfs the Delaware River is sitting in the middle of the 800 cfs–18,000 cfs range for this reach, with 4,210 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 barely moved, 5,410 cfs to 5,010 cfs. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 5,460 cfs and 8,850 cfs, 9% lower at the end of the week than the start.

Paddling Riegelsville to Frenchtown

Delaware River at Riegelsville to Frenchtown is a 8-mile Class I run in Pennsylvania — easygoing moving water with light riffles and nothing technical. Most paddlers put in at Riegelsville, PA access and take out at Frenchtown, NJ access, a trip that runs about 3 hours at a relaxed pace.

Whether it's worth the drive comes down to flow. This section generally paddles well at 800–18,000 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 01457500 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 June–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: 8 mi
Float time: ~3 hr
Best months: June–September
Put-in: Riegelsville, PA access ↗
Take-out: Frenchtown, NJ access ↗

Reading USGS gauge 01457500 — Delaware River at Riegelsville NJ ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Delaware River — Riegelsville to Frenchtown?: This section is generally runnable at 800–18,000 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 01457500 — 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 — Riegelsville to Frenchtown 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 June–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 — Riegelsville to Frenchtown?: This reach is about 8 miles, roughly 3 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Nearby sections

Good to paddle · 824 cfs