Rivers, Tubing & Water Safety
What's new this year
The rivers are the same year to year — but the levels, the weather, and the advisories are different every day. Here's what to check before you load the car.
Check the gauge before every float
The river you floated last month isn't the river today. Read the USGS gauge before you leave home — high, fast, muddy, or rising water is a no-go.
Reading river levelsCheck swim and algae advisories before you swim
Swim-beach postings and harmful-algae warnings change day to day. Look them up before you get in — a clean-looking gravel bar isn't a tested beach.
Water quality & getting sickCall your outfitter for today's conditions
The people who run the shuttle know the level, the put-ins, and whether the river is even running. A quick call beats a wasted drive — or a bad day on the water.
Know the floating season
Floating season runs roughly May to September. Spring water is higher and colder; by late summer, rain-fed rivers run warmer and lower and can get too shallow in a dry spell.
Before you float
Missouri Porch explains; the people who run the river decide.
Last checked: 2026-06-18. Rivers change by the day — the level, the weather, and the water-quality advisories are different every time. Check the live gauge and the forecast before every float, and wear your life jacket.
This is a plain-English summary — not the law, a medical authority, or a substitute for a guide or a swiftwater course. River levels, rules, and advisories change — check the live gauge, the forecast, and the agency or outfitter before you float. In an emergency, call 911.
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