Elk River — Tims Ford Tailwater to Fayetteville: Water Level Today — Can You Paddle It?
Elk River · Class I · Tennessee
Current verdict
Good to paddle
Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.
USGS gauge 03582000 · updated Jul 9, 8:15 AM UTC
7-day flow trend
Section facts
- Difficulty
- Class I
- Length
- —
- Float time
- —
- Best months
- May–October
- Put-in
- Tims Ford Dam tailwater access
- Take-out
- Fayetteville river access
Reading USGS gauge 03582000 — ELK RIVER ABOVE FAYETTEVILLE, TN ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)
FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Elk River — Tims Ford Tailwater to Fayetteville?
This section is generally runnable at 100–3,000 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 Elk River levels?
We read USGS gauge 03582000 — 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 Elk River — Tims Ford Tailwater to Fayetteville 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 Elk River here?
Typically May–October, 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.