What water level is good for paddling Little River — Rockford to Maryville?

This section is generally runnable at 100–1,500 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 Little River levels?

We read USGS gauge 03498500 — 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 Little River — Rockford to Maryville 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 Little River 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.

Little River — Rockford to Maryville: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class ILittle RiverTennessee

Verdict

Level unavailable

We can’t read this gauge right now, so we can’t give a verdict. Check the USGS gauge page directly before relying on any estimate.

Estimated range

No current reading

USGS gauge 03498500

Runnable 100 – 1,500 cfs

01001,5001,780

Paddling Rockford to Maryville

Little River at Rockford to Maryville is a Class I run in Tennessee — easygoing moving water with light riffles and nothing technical. Most paddlers put in at Walland / Rockford area access and take out at Louisville / near Maryville access.

Whether it's worth the drive comes down to flow. This section generally paddles well at 100–1,500 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and the Little 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 03498500 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

7-day flow trend is unavailable for this gauge right now.

Section facts

Difficulty: Class I
Length: —
Float time: —
Best months: April–September
Put-in: Walland / Rockford area access
Take-out: Louisville / near Maryville access

Reading USGS gauge 03498500 — LITTLE RIVER NEAR MARYVILLE, TN ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Little River — Rockford to Maryville?: This section is generally runnable at 100–1,500 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 Little River levels?: We read USGS gauge 03498500 — 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 Little River — Rockford to Maryville 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 Little River 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.

Nearby sections

No reading