Where to Paddle When Water Levels Are Low

Where to Go When It’s Low

The dog days of summer leads us kayakers--who love to paddle in moving water--into a quandary. 

Where is it deep enough to paddle without walking the boat?

Our hobby sometimes comes to a halt mid-summer as we suffer from what seems like near drought conditions. Like farmers, we are encouraged by thunderstorms, but their brevity doesn’t increase the flow enough to paddle with confidence. Yet we still have hope!

This list is what I call my “last ditch efforts” to paddle within 90-minutes from Harrisburg area. 

I have provided the waterway, the sections and the recommended minimum gauge height (so you don’t have to walk your boat). Cringe! 

Be careful as many waterways have dams, rock outcrops, ledges and shallows that may still require you to carefully navigate, or dare I say, walk. 

And, for all you sadomasochists who enjoy a march, feel free to ignore my blog and all gauge height recommendations and go paddle, err hike.

On the Susquehanna River near the West Fairview access point (on the right); Harrisburg, PA is on the left.

“Last Ditch Efforts”

Susquehanna River

From Port Trevorton, PA to Harrisburg, PA

Gauge: 3.25’ Harrisburg, PA

Conestoga River 

From Mill Creek below Lancaster, PA to mouth (Susquehanna River)

Gauge: 1.4’ Conestoga, PA

Monocacy River

From Devilbiss to mouth

Gauge: 1.7’ Jug Bridge in Frederick, MD

CFS: 215

“Hopefuls” but don’t hold your breath…

Juniata River

From Raystown Branch to Mount Union, PA

Gauge: 4.0’ Huntingdon, PA

Gauge: 2.6’ Mapleton, PA

From Mount Union, PA to the mouth (Susquehanna River)

Gauge: 3.5’ Newport, PA

Schuylkill River

From Auburn, PA to Port Clinton, PA

Gauge: 5.5’ Berne, PA

From Port Clinton, PA to Muhlenburg, PA

Gauge: 5.1’ Berne, PA

Conestoga River 

Brownstown, PA to Mill Creek (south of Lancaster, PA)

Gauge: 1.9’ Conestoga, PA

Monocacy River

From Rt. 77 to Devilbiss

Gauge: 2.1’ Jug Bridge in Frederick, MD

CFS: 350

Antietam Creek

From Keedysville, MD to mouth (Potomac River)

Gauge:  2.6’ Sharpsburg, MD

CFS: 165

The next blog will cover some "gems"--waterways that are a rarity to paddle (without walking), but very enjoyable.