What water level is good for paddling San Gabriel River — Georgetown?

This section is generally runnable at 30–1,000 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 San Gabriel River levels?

We read USGS gauge 08104900 — 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 Gabriel River — Georgetown 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 Gabriel 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 San Gabriel River — Georgetown?

This reach is about 5 miles, roughly 3 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

San Gabriel River — Georgetown: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class I5 mi · ~3 hrSan Gabriel RiverTexas

Verdict · updated Aug 23, 9:00 PM UTC

Too low to paddle

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

Estimated range

25 cfs

2.0 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 08104900

Runnable 30 – 1,000 cfs

0301,0001,194

What this means today

At 25 cfs the San Gabriel River is 5 cfs short of the 30 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, 25 cfs to 25 cfs. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 21 cfs and 28 cfs, 14% lower at the end of the week than the start.

Paddling Georgetown

San Gabriel River at Georgetown is a 5-mile Class I run in Texas — easygoing moving water with light riffles and nothing technical. Most paddlers put in at San Gabriel Park, Georgetown and take out at downstream (near confluence), 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 30–1,000 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and the San Gabriel 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 08104900 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 I
Length: 5 mi
Float time: ~3 hr
Best months: March–October
Put-in: San Gabriel Park, Georgetown
Take-out: downstream (near confluence)

Reading USGS gauge 08104900 — S Fk San Gabriel Rv at Georgetown, TX ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling San Gabriel River — Georgetown?: This section is generally runnable at 30–1,000 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 San Gabriel River levels?: We read USGS gauge 08104900 — 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 Gabriel River — Georgetown 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 Gabriel 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 San Gabriel River — Georgetown?: This reach is about 5 miles, roughly 3 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Nearby sections

Good to paddle · 203 cfs