Peace River Water Levels
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The Peace River is about 19" above normal at our dock in Arcadia.  May come up a little bit more, from the rain last Friday.  Great paddling height!. See text in red below for more information and restrictions. 2/07/2010. 
Note: Canoeing can be a hazardous sport. Please be careful and follow all safety rules. Do not jump or dive from canoes, bridges, banks, rope swings, or trees. It’s not worth never walking again. Swim with caution. Shoes are recommended. Click here to see the overnight camping recommendations.

-If the water level is 12 inches below normal and lower, river is good for fossil hunting. Water needs to be fairly clear and below normal for fossil hunting. Fishing gets good in low water, work the dark water around the tree stumps. If you stay in the river channel, in the dark water, you can minimize the number of times you have to get out. If you fall in the river, just stand up, river is that shallow. Kids of all ages are welcome.  Perfect time to bring the dog. Dogs can run and play in the shallow water.

-If the water level is between 12 inches below normal and 24 inches above normal, river is perfect for canoeing. Kids of all ages are welcome. If the water level is above normal, fossil hunting is not any good, needs to be normal or below. At normal, the average depth of the river is about 24". There are some deep holes, there are some shallower spots. The bottom of the river is not level but fluctuates.
 
-If the water level is at 2 feet above normal to just below 5' above normal all runs are open, no non-swimmers please. The water is normal for this time of year with a current of about 2 miles per hour. If you have been to any of the spring-fed rivers in the northern part of the state, it's running similar to them. It's higher and moving faster than most times of the year. Leave the itty-bitty kids at home unless both adults in the canoe are very experienced paddlers or good swimmers. Currents are faster than normal on the runs north of Gardner and there are some downed trees under the water. If you tip you'll lose everything. No hourly rentals. Oak Hill Runs are real short, hour and a half to an hour if you paddle. Trips north of Gardner are for the very experienced paddlers only. When the water is at these levels and higher, you need to stay in the middle of the river, stay away from downed trees (strainers). If you hit a tree, more than likely you'll tip and lose the canoe and all your gear. The biggest problem is there are very few shallow spots to stand and get your canoe tipped back over. If there are two or more canoes, tie together to avoid tipping. Bring rope or bungees for tying together. No kids under six years old as paddlers. Kids, 4 years and older in the middle, are o.k. just make sure they keep their lifejackets on.  We suggest that canoes tie together to minimize tipping. If you have any question about your paddling or swimming ability in a current, please wear your lifejacket. We supply the standard orange "horse collar" on the bus or have fitted vest jackets upon request.
 
-If the water level is at 5 feet above normal to just below 8 feet above normal, no non-swimmers, experienced paddlers only. Five feet above normal is typical this time of year. Trips north of Gardner are not available (no Zolfo Springs, Wauchula, or Ft. Meade Runs). There is a strong current. No tipping of canoes, there is hardly anyplace to stop and turn the canoe back over i.e. no beaches, no sandbars, no shallow spots. No kids under the age of 12 years old as paddlers. Kids, 6 years and older in the middle, are o.k. One adult and one to two small children under the age of 12 in a canoe that is not part of a group will not be allowed to go. We suggest that canoes tie together to minimize tipping.  Everyone especially the adults need to be good swimmers. We recommend everyone wear a lifejacket. If you stay in the middle of the river, you shouldn't have a problem. Most people tip when they get too close to the trees, don't grab the tree branch, just duck or lay down. If you tip, you will lose everything including the canoe.
 
-If the water level is 8 feet above normal or higher up to just under 11 feet above normal, no non-swimmers, experienced paddlers only. Everyone is required to wear a lifejacket. There are very few places to stop. If you tip you lose everything including the canoe, there's hardly anywhere to flip it back over. Tie your canoes together! We suggest that canoes tie together to minimize tipping.  If you stay in the middle of the river, you shouldn't have a problem. Most people tip when they get to close to the trees. Don't grab a tree branch, sure fire way to tip the canoe, just duck or lie down and go under the tree. There is a very strong current. No kids under the age of 16 years old as paddlers. Kids, 12 years and older in the middle, are o.k. The only trip available is the 16 mile/Gardner Run which is really only 12 miles according to the new GPS mileages from the state. or Brownville Run (call first, the Brownville is at the whim of the ranger); all other boat ramps are closed because of the high water. 
 
-If the water level is at 11 feet above normal or higher, Canoe Outpost closes canoeing on the river.
http://www.wunderground.com/US/FL/Arcadia.html
Click for local weather report.
 
USGS Streamflow Gage Links: 
Ft. Meade: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/fl/nwis/uv/?site_no=02294898&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060
Zolfo Springs: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/fl/nwis/uv/?site_no=02295637&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060
Gardner: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/fl/nwis/uv/?site_no=02296500&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060
Arcadia:  http://waterdata.usgs.gov/fl/nwis/uv/?site_no=02296750&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060
 
For Peace River questions contact "Peace Paddler"

 Sean fishing in middle of river Memorial Day 2007    Praying for Rain    ollie in shallow river 2007

 When the river is low, it's great for fossil hunting, fishing, and playing in the water! Fisherman is sitting in the middle of the river at Oak Hill, the kid is the middle does seem to be praying to the river gods for rain and Ollie the three-legged dog can hop-a-long through the shallows.