What water level is good for paddling Guadalupe River — Hueco Springs to Gruene?

This section is generally runnable at 100–2,000 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 Guadalupe River levels?

We read USGS gauge 08168500 — 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 — Hueco Springs to Gruene 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 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 — Hueco Springs to Gruene?

This reach is about 6 miles, roughly 3.5 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Guadalupe River — Hueco Springs to Gruene: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class I6 mi · ~3.5 hrGuadalupe RiverTexas

Verdict · updated Oct 19, 12:15 AM UTC

Good to paddle

Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.

Estimated range

145 cfs

2.0 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 08168500

Runnable 100 – 2,000 cfs

01002,0002,380

What this means today

At 145 cfs the Guadalupe River is inside the runnable range but only 45 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, 141 cfs to 145 cfs. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 135 cfs and 141 cfs, ending roughly where it started.

Paddling Hueco Springs to Gruene

Guadalupe River at Hueco Springs to Gruene is a 6-mile Class I run in Texas — easygoing moving water with light riffles and nothing technical. Most paddlers put in at Hueco Springs / River Rd and take out at Gruene / Common St, New Braunfels, a trip that runs about 3.5 hours at a relaxed pace.

Whether it's worth the drive comes down to flow. This section generally paddles well at 100–2,000 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 08168500 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 I
Length: 6 mi
Float time: ~3.5 hr
Best months: April–October
Put-in: Hueco Springs / River Rd
Take-out: Gruene / Common St, New Braunfels

Reading USGS gauge 08168500 — Guadalupe Rv abv Comal Rv at New Braunfels, TX ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Guadalupe River — Hueco Springs to Gruene?: This section is generally runnable at 100–2,000 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 Guadalupe River levels?: We read USGS gauge 08168500 — 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 — Hueco Springs to Gruene 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 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 — Hueco Springs to Gruene?: This reach is about 6 miles, roughly 3.5 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Nearby sections

Good to paddle · 153 cfs