What water level is good for paddling Comal River — Prince Solms Park (Tube Chute)?

This section is generally runnable at 100–500 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 Comal River levels?

We read USGS gauge 08169000 — 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 Comal River — Prince Solms Park (Tube Chute) 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 Comal 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 Comal River — Prince Solms Park (Tube Chute)?

This reach is about 2.5 miles, roughly 2 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Comal River — Prince Solms Park (Tube Chute): River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class I2.5 mi · ~2 hrComal RiverTexas

Verdict · updated Aug 25, 7:45 AM UTC

Good to paddle

Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.

Estimated range

175 cfs

3.7 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 08169000

Runnable 100 – 500 cfs

0100500580

What this means today

At 175 cfs the Comal River is inside the runnable range but only 75 cfs above the 100 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 barely moved, 189 cfs to 175 cfs. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 183 cfs and 194 cfs, ending roughly where it started.

Paddling Prince Solms Park (Tube Chute)

Comal River at Prince Solms Park (Tube Chute) is a 2.5-mile Class I run in Texas — easygoing moving water with light riffles and nothing technical. Most paddlers put in at Prince Solms Park / Tube Chute and take out at Landa Park / Hinman Island, a trip that runs about 2 hours at a relaxed pace.

Whether it's worth the drive comes down to flow. This section generally paddles well at 100–500 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and the Comal 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 08169000 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: 2.5 mi
Float time: ~2 hr
Best months: Year-round
Put-in: Prince Solms Park / Tube Chute ↗
Take-out: Landa Park / Hinman Island ↗

Reading USGS gauge 08169000 — Comal Rv at New Braunfels, TX ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Comal River — Prince Solms Park (Tube Chute)?: This section is generally runnable at 100–500 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 Comal River levels?: We read USGS gauge 08169000 — 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 Comal River — Prince Solms Park (Tube Chute) 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 Comal 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 Comal River — Prince Solms Park (Tube Chute)?: This reach is about 2.5 miles, roughly 2 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Nearby sections

Good to paddle · 157 cfs