What water level is good for paddling Medina River — Bandera to Medina?

This section is generally runnable at 40–1,000 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 Medina River levels?

We read USGS gauge 08178880 — 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 Medina River — Bandera to Medina 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 Medina 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 Medina River — Bandera to Medina?

This reach is about 10 miles, roughly 5 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Medina River — Bandera to Medina: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class II10 mi · ~5 hrMedina RiverTexas

Verdict · updated Aug 26, 10:45 AM UTC

Too low to paddle

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

Estimated range

26 cfs

3.9 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 08178880

Runnable 40 – 1,000 cfs

0401,0001,192

What this means today

At 26 cfs the Medina River is 14 cfs short of the 40 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 barely moved, 28 cfs to 26 cfs. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 26 cfs and 37 cfs, 28% lower at the end of the week than the start.

Paddling Bandera to Medina

Medina River at Bandera to Medina is a 10-mile Class II run in Texas — bouncy wave trains and the occasional small rapid. Most paddlers put in at Bandera City Park and take out at English Crossing / Medina, a trip that runs about 5 hours at a relaxed pace.

Whether it's worth the drive comes down to flow. This section generally paddles well at 40–1,000 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and the Medina 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 08178880 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: 10 mi
Float time: ~5 hr
Best months: March–October
Put-in: Bandera City Park
Take-out: English Crossing / Medina

Reading USGS gauge 08178880 — Medina Rv at Bandera, TX ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Medina River — Bandera to Medina?: This section is generally runnable at 40–1,000 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 Medina River levels?: We read USGS gauge 08178880 — 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 Medina River — Bandera to Medina 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 Medina 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 Medina River — Bandera to Medina?: This reach is about 10 miles, roughly 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 · 82 cfs