What water level is good for paddling San Antonio River — Mission Reach?

This section is generally runnable at 20–800 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 San Antonio River levels?

We read USGS gauge 08178565 — 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 San Antonio River — Mission Reach 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 San Antonio River here?

Typically Year-round, 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 San Antonio River — Mission Reach?

This reach is about 8 miles, roughly 4 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

San Antonio River — Mission Reach: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class I8 mi · ~4 hrSan Antonio RiverTexas

Verdict · updated Aug 23, 12:15 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

8 cfs

3.6 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 08178565

Runnable 20 – 800 cfs

020800956

What this means today

At 8 cfs the San Antonio River is 12 cfs short of the 20 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, 8 cfs to 8 cfs. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 8 cfs and 9 cfs, ending roughly where it started.

Paddling Mission Reach

San Antonio River at Mission Reach is a 8-mile Class I run in Texas — easygoing moving water with light riffles and nothing technical. Most paddlers put in at Mission Reach - Blue Star / Roosevelt Park and take out at Mission Espada / Loop 410, a trip that runs about 4 hours at a relaxed pace.

Whether it's worth the drive comes down to flow. This section generally paddles well at 20–800 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and the San Antonio 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 08178565 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.

This reach can run year-round in a typical year, though levels still swing with rain and dry spells — the live gauge always beats the calendar, so check today's reading before you load the car.

7-day flow trend

Daily mean flow (cfs), past 7 days. Shaded band = runnable range.

Section facts

Difficulty: Class I
Length: 8 mi
Float time: ~4 hr
Best months: Year-round
Put-in: Mission Reach - Blue Star / Roosevelt Park
Take-out: Mission Espada / Loop 410

Reading USGS gauge 08178565 — San Antonio Rv at Loop 410, San Antonio, TX ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling San Antonio River — Mission Reach?: This section is generally runnable at 20–800 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 San Antonio River levels?: We read USGS gauge 08178565 — 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 San Antonio River — Mission Reach 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 San Antonio River here?: Typically Year-round, 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 San Antonio River — Mission Reach?: This reach is about 8 miles, roughly 4 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Nearby sections

Good to paddle · 75 cfs