What water level is good for paddling Swatara Creek — Jonestown to Hershey?

This section is generally runnable at 80–2,500 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 Swatara Creek levels?

We read USGS gauge 01573560 — 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 Swatara Creek — Jonestown to Hershey 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 Swatara Creek here?

Typically April–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 Swatara Creek — Jonestown to Hershey?

This reach is about 16 miles, roughly 6 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Swatara Creek — Jonestown to Hershey: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class I16 mi · ~6 hrSwatara CreekPennsylvania

Verdict · updated Aug 26, 11:45 AM UTC

Good to paddle

Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.

Estimated range

182 cfs

1.7 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 01573560

Runnable 80 – 2,500 cfs

0802,5002,984

What this means today

At 182 cfs Swatara Creek is inside the runnable range but only 102 cfs above the 80 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 257 cfs to 182 cfs, 29% down. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 187 cfs and 388 cfs, 9% lower at the end of the week than the start.

Paddling Jonestown to Hershey

Swatara Creek at Jonestown to Hershey is a 16-mile Class I run in Pennsylvania — easygoing moving water with light riffles and nothing technical. Most paddlers put in at Jonestown, PA access and take out at Hershey / Waltonville, PA access, a trip that runs about 6 hours at a relaxed pace.

Whether it's worth the drive comes down to flow. This section generally paddles well at 80–2,500 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and Swatara 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 01573560 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–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: 16 mi
Float time: ~6 hr
Best months: April–September
Put-in: Jonestown, PA access ↗
Take-out: Hershey / Waltonville, PA access

Reading USGS gauge 01573560 — Swatara Creek near Hershey, PA ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Swatara Creek — Jonestown to Hershey?: This section is generally runnable at 80–2,500 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 Swatara Creek levels?: We read USGS gauge 01573560 — 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 Swatara Creek — Jonestown to Hershey 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 Swatara Creek here?: Typically April–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 Swatara Creek — Jonestown to Hershey?: This reach is about 16 miles, roughly 6 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Nearby sections

Good to paddle · 151 cfs