What water level is good for paddling Colorado River — Longhorn Dam to US 183 (Austin)?

This section is generally runnable at 150–4,000 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 Colorado River levels?

We read USGS gauge 08158000 — 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 Colorado River — Longhorn Dam to US 183 (Austin) 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 Colorado River here?

Typically Year-round, 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 Colorado River — Longhorn Dam to US 183 (Austin)?

This reach is about 6 miles, roughly 3 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Colorado River — Longhorn Dam to US 183 (Austin): River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class I6 mi · ~3 hrColorado RiverTexas

Verdict · updated Aug 27, 6:50 PM UTC

Good to paddle

Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.

Estimated range

251 cfs

12.8 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 08158000

Runnable 150 – 4,000 cfs

01504,0004,770

What this means today

At 251 cfs the Colorado River is inside the runnable range but only 101 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 230 cfs to 251 cfs, 9% up. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 453 cfs and 584 cfs, 24% higher at the end of the week than the start.

Paddling Longhorn Dam to US 183 (Austin)

Colorado River at Longhorn Dam to US 183 (Austin) is a 6-mile Class I run in Texas — easygoing moving water with light riffles and nothing technical. Most paddlers put in at Longhorn Dam / Festival Beach, Austin and take out at Roy Guerrero Park / US 183, 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 150–4,000 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and the Colorado 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 08158000 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.

This reach can run year-round in a typical year, though levels still swing with rain and dry spells — the live gauge always beats the calendar, so check today's reading before you load the car.

7-day flow trend

Daily mean flow (cfs), past 7 days. Shaded band = runnable range.

Section facts

Difficulty: Class I
Length: 6 mi
Float time: ~3 hr
Best months: Year-round
Put-in: Longhorn Dam / Festival Beach, Austin ↗
Take-out: Roy Guerrero Park / US 183

Reading USGS gauge 08158000 — Colorado Rv at Austin, TX ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Colorado River — Longhorn Dam to US 183 (Austin)?: This section is generally runnable at 150–4,000 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 Colorado River levels?: We read USGS gauge 08158000 — 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 Colorado River — Longhorn Dam to US 183 (Austin) 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 Colorado River here?: Typically Year-round, 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 Colorado River — Longhorn Dam to US 183 (Austin)?: This reach is about 6 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 · 633 cfs