What water level is good for paddling Frio River — Concan (Garner State Park)?

This section is generally runnable at 30–800 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 Frio River levels?

We read USGS gauge 08195000 — 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 Frio River — Concan (Garner State Park) 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 Frio River here?

Typically May–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 Frio River — Concan (Garner State Park)?

This reach is about 5 miles, roughly 3 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Frio River — Concan (Garner State Park): River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class I5 mi · ~3 hrFrio RiverTexas

Verdict · updated Aug 27, 1:15 PM UTC

Good to paddle

Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.

Estimated range

105 cfs

3.8 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 08195000

Runnable 30 – 800 cfs

030800954

What this means today

At 105 cfs the Frio River is inside the runnable range but only 75 cfs above the 30 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, 108 cfs to 105 cfs. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 107 cfs and 135 cfs, 21% lower at the end of the week than the start.

Paddling Concan (Garner State Park)

Frio River at Concan (Garner State Park) is a 5-mile Class I run in Texas — easygoing moving water with light riffles and nothing technical. Most paddlers put in at Garner State Park / Concan (US 83) and take out at downstream Concan crossing, 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 30–800 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and the Frio 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 08195000 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 May–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: 5 mi
Float time: ~3 hr
Best months: May–September
Put-in: Garner State Park / Concan (US 83) ↗
Take-out: downstream Concan crossing

Reading USGS gauge 08195000 — Frio Rv at Concan, TX ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Frio River — Concan (Garner State Park)?: This section is generally runnable at 30–800 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 Frio River levels?: We read USGS gauge 08195000 — 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 Frio River — Concan (Garner State Park) 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 Frio River here?: Typically May–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 Frio River — Concan (Garner State Park)?: This reach is about 5 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 · 278 cfs