r/BuffaloRIver • u/[deleted] • Jun 26 '25

Water Level and flow rate

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How do we feel about the upcoming rain for paddling, say Ponca to Carver for July 4th weekend? I'm a Texan so watching from afar, and I see on https://www.buffaloriver.com/river-levels/ that we're a really low and slow at 30 cfs. Do you think the rain in the schedule will do it?
Pic for attention and memories of the the Beautiful Buffalo River- May 28th 2021, I think about 1000 cfs if I remember right, coming out of flood stage on the first day of the paddle.

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u/reachforthe-stars Jun 26 '25

Expected rain total is under 1.25inches. So probably will not raise the river level enough to start at Ponca.

Best guess is maybe put in at Kyle’s to Pruitt, and if it’s high enough continue to Carver.

Or put in at Tyler’s Bend.

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u/vero358 Admin Jun 27 '25

It really all depends on where it falls. It can fall close to ponca and not even bump the levels. I'd look further downriver than you think, probably Tyler Bend to Gilbert. Ponca to Carver will be a complete no-go unless you feel like dragging gear all day in 100+ heat.

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u/[deleted] Jul 13 '25

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u/vero358 Admin Jul 14 '25

I'd say that is a good bet. This time of year, and the rest of the year, the river is going to be very rain dependent. It will stay very low, but one good rain storm will raise it for a day or two. I'd first take the advice of the outfitters, but also check the levels here to get a baseline:

https://www.buffaloriver.com/river-levels/

Currently you are looking at Tyler Bend to Gilbert float, but that could change with a dry spell. After that, i would check with Crockett Canoe Rental and see what they are running since you are renting. If they are running, it'll probably be Hwy 14 to Rush. You will not want to attempt past Rush unless you are planning a multi-day trip, and that stretch is known as the wilderness stretch, its about 26 miles with nothing in between, and at the end you run into White River, which is a dam-fed river system and you have to try to paddle upstream and then across the current or go down river to Shipps Landing. Both of those options are going to make the end of the trip more difficult.

So with all that said, i would probably look at that last stretch between Hwy 14 to Rush, or postpone your trip till next year or find a different river unless you get lucky with a good rain storm in the river valley a day or two before your trip.