What water level is good for paddling Guadalupe River — Comfort to Center Point?

This section is generally runnable at 60–1,200 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 Guadalupe River levels?

We read USGS gauge 08167000 — 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 — Comfort to Center Point 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 March–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 — Comfort to Center Point?

This reach is about 13 miles, roughly 6 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Guadalupe River — Comfort to Center Point: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class II13 mi · ~6 hrGuadalupe RiverTexas

Verdict · updated Aug 27, 7:20 PM UTC

Good to paddle

Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.

Estimated range

78 cfs

3.3 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 08167000

Runnable 60 – 1,200 cfs

0601,2001,428

What this means today

At 78 cfs the Guadalupe River is inside the runnable range but only 18 cfs above the 60 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, 84 cfs to 78 cfs. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 85 cfs and 98 cfs, 13% lower at the end of the week than the start.

Paddling Comfort to Center Point

Guadalupe River at Comfort to Center Point is a 13-mile Class II run in Texas — bouncy wave trains and the occasional small rapid. Most paddlers put in at Comfort (Cypress Ck area) and take out at Center Point (dam portage), a trip that runs about 6 hours at a relaxed pace.

Whether it's worth the drive comes down to flow. This section generally paddles well at 60–1,200 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). 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 08167000 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 March–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: 13 mi
Float time: ~6 hr
Best months: March–October
Put-in: Comfort (Cypress Ck area)
Take-out: Center Point (dam portage)

Reading USGS gauge 08167000 — Guadalupe Rv at Comfort, TX ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Guadalupe River — Comfort to Center Point?: This section is generally runnable at 60–1,200 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 Guadalupe River levels?: We read USGS gauge 08167000 — 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 — Comfort to Center Point 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 March–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 — Comfort to Center Point?: This reach is about 13 miles, roughly 6 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Nearby sections

Good to paddle · 39 cfs