What water level is good for paddling New River — Allisonia to Foster Falls?

This section is generally runnable at 500–8,000 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 New River levels?

We read USGS gauge 03168000 — 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 New River — Allisonia to Foster Falls 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 New 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 New River — Allisonia to Foster Falls?

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.

New River — Allisonia to Foster Falls: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class II8 mi · ~4 hrNew RiverVirginia

Verdict · updated Aug 27, 10:30 AM UTC

Good to paddle

Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.

Estimated range

1,160 cfs

1.4 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 03168000

Runnable 500 – 8,000 cfs

05008,0009,500

What this means today

At 1,160 cfs the New River is inside the runnable range but only 660 cfs above the 500 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 gone from 1,280 cfs to 1,160 cfs, 9% down. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 1,240 cfs and 2,310 cfs, 17% lower at the end of the week than the start.

Paddling Allisonia to Foster Falls

New River at Allisonia to Foster Falls is a 8-mile Class II run in Virginia — bouncy wave trains and the occasional small rapid. Most paddlers put in at Allisonia (Rt 693) and take out at Foster Falls (New River Trail State Park), 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 500–8,000 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and the New 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 03168000 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: 8 mi
Float time: ~4 hr
Best months: April–October
Put-in: Allisonia (Rt 693)
Take-out: Foster Falls (New River Trail State Park)

Reading USGS gauge 03168000 — NEW RIVER AT ALLISONIA, VA ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling New River — Allisonia to Foster Falls?: This section is generally runnable at 500–8,000 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 New River levels?: We read USGS gauge 03168000 — 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 New River — Allisonia to Foster Falls 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 New 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 New River — Allisonia to Foster Falls?: 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 · 1,300 cfs