What water level is good for paddling Guadalupe River — Canyon Dam to Sattler?

This section is generally runnable at 100–1,500 cfs. 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 Guadalupe River levels?

We read USGS gauge 08167800 — 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 Guadalupe River — Canyon Dam to Sattler good for beginners?

This section is rated Class II. 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 Guadalupe River here?

Typically April–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.

How long does it take to float Guadalupe River — Canyon Dam to Sattler?

This reach is about 4 miles, roughly 3 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Guadalupe River — Canyon Dam to Sattler: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class II4 mi · ~3 hrGuadalupe RiverTexas

Verdict · updated Aug 26, 3:50 PM UTC

Too low to paddle

Not enough water to float well — expect scraping and walking. Wait for rain or a dam release.

84 cfs

4.3 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 08167800

Runnable 100 – 1,500 cfs

01001,5001,780

What this means today

At 84 cfs the Guadalupe River is 16 cfs short of the 100 cfs this reach needs to float — that is the gap between today's reading and the bottom of the runnable range, not a small margin you can paddle through.

Over the last 24 hours it has gone from 149 cfs to 84 cfs, 43% down. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 118 cfs and 251 cfs, 45% lower at the end of the week than the start.

Paddling Canyon Dam to Sattler

Guadalupe River at Canyon Dam to Sattler is a 4-mile Class II run in Texas — bouncy wave trains and the occasional small rapid. Most paddlers put in at Canyon Dam / Whitewater put-in (River Rd) and take out at Sattler / Horseshoe Loop (FM 2673), 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 100–1,500 cfs. Much below that and the Guadalupe 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 08167800 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–October. 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 II
Length: 4 mi
Float time: ~3 hr
Best months: April–October
Put-in: Canyon Dam / Whitewater put-in (River Rd) ↗
Take-out: Sattler / Horseshoe Loop (FM 2673) ↗

Reading USGS gauge 08167800 — Guadalupe Rv at Sattler, TX ↗

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Guadalupe River — Canyon Dam to Sattler?: This section is generally runnable at 100–1,500 cfs. 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 Guadalupe River levels?: We read USGS gauge 08167800 — 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 Guadalupe River — Canyon Dam to Sattler good for beginners?: This section is rated Class II. 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 Guadalupe River here?: Typically April–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.
How long does it take to float Guadalupe River — Canyon Dam to Sattler?: This reach is about 4 miles, roughly 3 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Nearby sections

Too low · 5 cfs