Loyalsock Creek — Forksville to Loyalsockville: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?
Verdict · updated Aug 27, 4:30 PM UTC
Good to paddle
Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.
Estimated range
182 cfs
1.2 ft gauge height
USGS gauge 01552000
Runnable 150 – 3,000 cfs
What this means today
At 182 cfs Loyalsock Creek is inside the runnable range but only 32 cfs above the 150 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 205 cfs to 182 cfs, 11% down. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 185 cfs and 433 cfs, 10% 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 Forksville to Loyalsockville
Loyalsock Creek at Forksville to Loyalsockville is a 17-mile Class II run in Pennsylvania — bouncy wave trains and the occasional small rapid. Most paddlers put in at Forksville, PA access and take out at Loyalsockville, PA access, a trip that runs about 6.5 hours at a relaxed pace.
Whether it's worth the drive comes down to flow. This section generally paddles well at 150–3,000 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and Loyalsock Creek 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 01552000 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
- 17 mi
- Float time
- ~6.5 hr
- Best months
- April–June
- Put-in
- Forksville, PA access ↗
- Take-out
- Loyalsockville, PA access ↗
Reading USGS gauge 01552000 — Loyalsock Creek at Loyalsockville, PA ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)
FAQ
- What water level is good for paddling Loyalsock Creek — Forksville to Loyalsockville?
- This section is generally runnable at 150–3,000 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 Loyalsock Creek levels?
- We read USGS gauge 01552000 — 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 Loyalsock Creek — Forksville to Loyalsockville 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 Loyalsock Creek 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 Loyalsock Creek — Forksville to Loyalsockville?
- This reach is about 17 miles, roughly 6.5 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.
Nearby sections
Susquehanna River — Towanda to Wyalusing
Class I · 18 mi · est. range · 21 mi away
Good to paddle · 7,170 cfsWest Branch Susquehanna — Williamsport to Montgomery
Flatwater · 13 mi · est. range · 27 mi away
Good to paddle · 3,430 cfsSusquehanna River — Danville to Sunbury
Flatwater · 13 mi · est. range · 36 mi away