Buffalo River near St. Joe, AR: river conditions
USGS gauge 07056000 · near Gilbert, AR
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7-day flow
NWS forecast for this spot
Numbers are provisional real-time data. We don't rate rivers as safe or unsafe. Check local conditions, posted signs and official advisories (NWS warnings, park and dam-release notices) before you launch.
Kayak types for this river
We don't have verified river-class or character data for this stretch, so this is based only on USGS flow. Typical flow is about 405 cfs (median of daily medians, USGS daily statistics 1940–2026). In spring the 90th-percentile flow reaches about 7.7× that, so boats made for calm water (recreational sit-inside, inflatable, foldable, tandem) aren't suited at typical high spring flows; sit-on-top, fishing and touring kayaks handle moving water better (REI kayak guide).
- Sit-on-top: Feelfree Nomad (max 330 lb)
- Fishing: Jackson Coosa X (max 425 lb)
- Touring: Feelfree Aventura 110 LT (max 330 lb)
Check today's conditions for your kayak
Flow, wind, water temperature, flood stage and NWS alerts
Documented hazards near this gauge
When flow is high: above the 90th percentile for the date or near NWS flood stage, expect more floating debris and strainers (downed trees that let water through but trap people and boats). Steer well clear of them (PA Fish and Boat Commission). Today's check flags this.
No documented hazards found in official sources. Scout before you go.
Wildlife
No documented records of the wildlife we track (bears, moose, bison, alligators, cottonmouths) within 25 km in openly licensed GBIF data.
Water quality
We don't yet have harmful algal bloom (HAB) advisories for this spot. Check the Arkansas HAB or beach advisory program before contact with the water, and keep pets out of discolored or scummy water (EPA harmful algal blooms).
When it's busiest
Buffalo National River: recreation visits by month, 2025
Busiest: Jul, Jun, May. Source: NPS Visitor Use Statistics. Park-wide counts, not river-only.
Cold water
Shown when this gauge reports water temperature.
Arkansas paddling rules
Registration, permits, life jackets and AIS stickers
Float time estimator
How long a stretch of river might take
Cold water and life jacket guide
From NWS and Coast Guard guidance
Data: USGS (provisional, real-time; percentiles from USGS daily statistics 1940–2026) · Forecast: NOAA/NWS.