What water level is good for paddling Maury River — Ben Salem to Glasgow?

This section is generally runnable at 150–4,000 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 Maury River levels?

We read USGS gauge 02024000 — 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 Maury River — Ben Salem to Glasgow 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 Maury 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 Maury River — Ben Salem to Glasgow?

This reach is about 9 miles, roughly 4.5 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Maury River — Ben Salem to Glasgow: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class II9 mi · ~4.5 hrMaury RiverVirginia

Verdict · updated Aug 27, 10:55 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

43 cfs

1.1 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 02024000

Runnable 150 – 4,000 cfs

01504,0004,770

What this means today

At 43 cfs the Maury River is 107 cfs short of the 150 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, 46 cfs to 43 cfs. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 43 cfs and 83 cfs, 30% lower at the end of the week than the start.

Paddling Ben Salem to Glasgow

Maury River at Ben Salem to Glasgow is a 9-mile Class II run in Virginia — bouncy wave trains and the occasional small rapid. Most paddlers put in at Ben Salem Wayside (US 60) and take out at Glasgow / Locher Tract (Rt 684), a trip that runs about 4.5 hours at a relaxed pace.

Whether it's worth the drive comes down to flow. This section generally paddles well at 150–4,000 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and the Maury 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 02024000 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 II
Length: 9 mi
Float time: ~4.5 hr
Best months: April–October
Put-in: Ben Salem Wayside (US 60)
Take-out: Glasgow / Locher Tract (Rt 684)

Reading USGS gauge 02024000 — MAURY RIVER NEAR BUENA VISTA, VA ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Maury River — Ben Salem to Glasgow?: This section is generally runnable at 150–4,000 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 Maury River levels?: We read USGS gauge 02024000 — 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 Maury River — Ben Salem to Glasgow 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 Maury 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 Maury River — Ben Salem to Glasgow?: This reach is about 9 miles, roughly 4.5 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Nearby sections

Too low · 14 cfs