Right now
Red River gauges
Readings are every 15 minutes from the U.S. Geological Survey, shown hourly for the last seven days. The page checks USGS again each time it opens.
Red River at Port Royal
USGS gauge 03436100
Latest reading 11:30 PM CDT, Wed, Sep 30
Flow
97 cfs
Down 3 cfs in 24 hours
7-day range 95 to 112 cfs
Gauge height
3.73 ft
Steady over 24 hours
7-day range 3.72 to 3.82 ft
Float trips
Floating and paddling the Red River
A quiet Class I river near Clarksville.
Old State Route 11 ramp to Port Royal
Port Royal has 3-hour parking on most spaces and about 12 all-day spots.
No published flow range. The Port Royal gauge on this page shows how the river compares with its week.
Put-ins and take-outs
Sources: Clarksville Now
Bigger purchases
Gear compared for floating the Red River
The electronics, motors, boats and batteries that cost real money, compared side by side with the Tennessee water each one suits. Affiliate links.
Weather
Red River weather and wind forecast
Thu, Oct 1 night
65°F
Partly Cloudy
Wind S 5 to 10 mph
0% chance of rain
Thu, Oct 1
93°F
Mostly Sunny
Wind S 10 to 15 mph
0% chance of rain
Thu, Oct 1 night
70°F
Partly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers
Wind S 5 to 10 mph
29% chance of rain
Fri, Oct 2
83°F
Showers And Thunderstorms
Wind WSW 5 to 10 mph
79% chance of rain
Fri, Oct 2 night
61°F
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Wind NNE 5 mph
54% chance of rain
Sat, Oct 3
75°F
Rain Showers Likely
Wind NE 10 mph
59% chance of rain
National Weather Service forecast, updated 6:51 PM, Wed, Sep 30.
Sun and moon, Thu, Oct 8
Go fishing
Where to get on the Red River
Other rivers
More Middle Tennessee rivers
Common questions
Red River level and paddling questions
Where are the Red River gauges?
USGS runs 1 gauge used on this page: Red River at Port Royal.
What does cfs mean on the Red River?
Cubic feet per second: the volume of water passing the gauge each second. It is the best single number for how big the river is running. Gauge height is the water surface against a fixed point at that gauge and only compares with readings from the same gauge.
How often do the Red River readings update?
USGS gauges record every 15 minutes and usually report within an hour. This page checks USGS each time it opens and shows the time of the latest reading.
Can you float the Red River?
A quiet Class I river near Clarksville. Sections on this page: Old State Route 11 ramp to Port Royal (about 7.6 miles).
What is a good level to paddle the Red River?
No published flow range. The Port Royal gauge on this page shows how the river compares with its week.
Where can you put in on the Red River?
Access points listed on this page: Port Royal. Each one links to driving directions.
How long does it take to float the Red River?
Old State Route 11 ramp to Port Royal: 4–5 hours.
Do you need a life jacket to kayak the Red River?
Yes. Tennessee requires a wearable life jacket for each person in a canoe or kayak, and anyone under 13 has to wear one while underway. Canoes and kayaks without a motor do not need to be registered.
River readings come from the U.S. Geological Survey and are provisional, as USGS publishes them. Forecasts come from the National Weather Service. Sunrise, sunset and moon phase are calculated for the location. Tennessee Fishing Spots is not affiliated with USGS or NWS.
Keep going
More the Red River water, and who fishes it
Every guide and charter on this site is listed by the water they run, so you can call the captain direct. Licences, limits and the state record list are one click away too.