What water level is good for paddling Smith River — Philpott Tailwater to Bassett?

This section is generally runnable at 100–3,000 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 Smith River levels?

We read USGS gauge 02072500 — 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 Smith River — Philpott Tailwater to Bassett 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 Smith River here?

Typically March–November, 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 Smith River — Philpott Tailwater to Bassett?

This reach is about 6 miles, roughly 3 hours at a relaxed pace. Higher water is faster; low water and headwinds are slower. Add time for stops.

Smith River — Philpott Tailwater to Bassett: River Level Today — Can You Paddle It?

Class II6 mi · ~3 hrSmith RiverVirginia

Verdict · updated Aug 26, 7:40 PM UTC

Good to paddle

Levels are within the typical runnable range for this section.

Estimated range

311 cfs

2.1 ft gauge height

USGS gauge 02072500

Runnable 100 – 3,000 cfs

01003,0003,580

What this means today

At 311 cfs the Smith River is inside the runnable range but only 211 cfs above the 100 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 275 cfs to 311 cfs, 13% up. Daily means over the past 7 days have run between 279 cfs and 346 cfs, ending roughly where it started.

Paddling Philpott Tailwater to Bassett

Smith River at Philpott Tailwater to Bassett is a 6-mile Class II run in Virginia — bouncy wave trains and the occasional small rapid. Most paddlers put in at Philpott Dam tailwater (Rt 904) and take out at Bassett (Rt 57), 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 100–3,000 cfs (a conservative estimate — see our methodology). Much below that and the Smith 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 02072500 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–November. 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: 6 mi
Float time: ~3 hr
Best months: March–November
Put-in: Philpott Dam tailwater (Rt 904)
Take-out: Bassett (Rt 57)

Reading USGS gauge 02072500 — SMITH RIVER AT BASSETT, VA ↗ · runnable range is an estimate (see methodology)

FAQ

What water level is good for paddling Smith River — Philpott Tailwater to Bassett?: This section is generally runnable at 100–3,000 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 Smith River levels?: We read USGS gauge 02072500 — 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 Smith River — Philpott Tailwater to Bassett 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 Smith River here?: Typically March–November, 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 Smith River — Philpott Tailwater to Bassett?: This reach is about 6 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 · 362 cfs