TUBING WATER LEVELS
Updates Hourly
CURRENT LEVEL
ABOVE AVERAGE
This is a natural, spring and rain-fed river. We tube rain or shine. Water levels can change hourly and vary daily.
Check water level the NIGHT BEFORE & 2 HOURS BEFORE your reservation time.
This is a natural, spring and rain-fed river. We tube rain or shine. Water levels can change hourly and vary daily.
Check water level the NIGHT BEFORE & 2 HOURS BEFORE your reservation time.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE CURRENT LEVEL
- Additional Age Restrictions (See Below)
- Average Float Time: Outpost A (1 - 1.5 Hours), Outpost B (45 Minutes)
- Ease of Navigation: Moderate (varies based on participant's weight and ability to remain in the current)
- Slightly above average river current speeds
- Water shoes are still highly recommended due to the rocky riverbed.
CURRENT AGE MINIMUM
Applies to CFS Range: 300 - 399 CFS
Outpost A (Main)
Ages 8+
Years Old
No dogs permitted at this level.
Outpost B
Ages 13+
Years Old
Dogs never permitted on this route.
UNDERSTANDING WATER LEVELS
Learn what to expect & how to prepare
River flow is measured in Cubic Feet per Second (CFS), but that number alone doesn’t tell the full story. The same CFS can look completely different from one river to the next. That’s why we’ve translated the Little River’s flow rates into easy-to-understand water level ranges based on over 30 years of experience, helping you know what to expect before you float.
Your Experience: Every tubing trip is unique. Factors such as a guest’s weight, physical fitness, comfort level in moving water, personal mindset and ability to navigate currents can all influence the experience.
The Little River has a rocky riverbed, so protective footwear (not flipflops) are HIGHLY recommended. If you did not pack any, we sell water shoes in our gift shop.
The best way to navigate and remain in the current is by using your arms to paddle, or to use a paddle or push stick. You can bring your own or purchase in our gift shop.
Check out this video for an orientation for tubing the Little River
High Water Description (800+ CFS: CLOSED)
All Tubing Outposts in Townsend are CLOSED at this water level.
When water rises above 800 Cubic Feet per Second, we close all Tubing Outposts for the safety of both guests and staff.
Refund Policy at 800+ CFS: If water levels exceed 800 CFS on the day of your reservation and we are unable to operate, guests may choose to either cancel their reservation and receive a full refund or to move their reservation to a future date.
Note: Water may rise or fall by the hour. This page is updated hourly. If you have additional questions, please call (865-448-8888).
River Rat Tubing Outpost has company standards in place to monitor the water levels and reserves the right to restrict or impose, at any time, age restrictions or the availability to float for your safety.
High Water Description (600-799 CFS)
High water conditions due to heavy rainfall result in age restrictions. High water can happen quickly. At this level, water is moving faster and generally above all rocks. Prepared guests often find this water level to be very enjoyable. Water clarity may be cloudy due to run off. Protective footwear is highly recommended. Some guests enjoy using a paddle at this level to assist with navigating the quicker currents. You may bring your own or purchase from our gift shop.
Additional Age Restrictions at 600 – 699 CFS:
Outpost A: Ages 13+
Outpost B: CLOSED
Additional Age Restrictions at 700 – 799 CFS:
Outpost A: Ages 18+
Outpost B: CLOSED
Refund Policy at 600-799 CFS: Additional age restrictions will be in effect. If High Water conditions and associated age restrictions are still in effect at the time of your reservation, preventing a Child or Youth guest in your reservation from participating, guests may be cancel for a refund or reschedule for a future date.
Note: Water may rise or fall by the hour. This page is updated hourly. If you have additional questions, please call (865-448-8888).
River Rat Tubing Outpost has company standards in place to monitor the water levels and reserves the right to restrict or impose, at any time, age restrictions or the availability to float due to High Water for your safety.
Above Average Description (300-599 CFS)
Tubing conditions are typically very enjoyable for most people at this level. Above Average water conditions occur due to recent rainfall upstream, increasing water depth and creating faster currents. Lightweight/young tubers will move more quickly than others in Above Average levels. This is a natural waterway so proceed with caution. Protective footwear is highly recommended. Water clarity may be cloudy due to run off.
Additional Age Restrictions at 300 – 399 CFS:
Outpost A: Ages 8+
Outpost B: Ages 13+
Additional Age Restrictions at 400 – 599 CFS:
Outpost A: Ages 8+
Outpost B: Ages 18+
Refund Policy at 300-599 CFS: Additional age restrictions will be in effect. If Above Average Water conditions and associated age restrictions are still in effect at the time of your reservation, preventing a Child or Youth guest in your reservation from participating, guests may be cancel for a refund or reschedule for a future date. Note that if water levels are dropping and we anticipate it falling back into the Average water level range, we may suggest simply moving your reservation to a later time in the day.
Note: Water may rise or fall by the hour. This page is updated hourly. If you have additional questions, please call (865-448-8888).
River Rat Tubing Outpost has company standards in place to monitor the water levels and reserves the right to restrict or impose, at any time, age restrictions or the availability to float due to Above Average conditions for your safety.
Average Water Description (100-299 CFS)
At Average water level, the Little River is not too high and not too low. This is still a natural river with a rocky riverbed. If you are looking for a water park lazy river float, this is not exactly what you’ll get. You must still paddle with your arms to control your tube and direction to avoid slower or rocky spots, but at this level, you can expect to float with minimal effort. Protective footwear highly recommended. Note that on the lower end of this water level range, guests of a heavier weight have a higher chance of being slowed down by the rocky riverbed in the rapids.
If current level is close to either the LOW or ABOVE AVERAGE range, please also read the description for that range.
Note: water may rise or fall by the hour. This page is updated hourly and when the current water level has risen above Average, our homepage pop-up is also updated twice per day.
Please call (865-448-8888) if you have additional questions or if our homepage pop-up has not been recently updated.
Low Water Description (50-99 CFS)
Low water level occurs when water on the Little River has dropped below average. With a rocky riverbed, you can expect to encounter or be stopped by rocks at any water level, but this is far more consistent at a Low level. Many people that understand the conditions and are prepared still have a good time. At a low water level, you can still navigate down the river. Tubing the Little River on these days will be harder and require more effort. If you simply sit in your tube and allow the water to navigate your path, you WILL get stuck more often. However, if you use your arms to paddle and navigate to remain in the current, there is a clear path to the take-out. Protective footwear is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED on Low water days. Push sticks are also very helpful on low water days. You are welcome to bring you own or purchase one from our gift shop.
NOTE: Every person is different and we cannot guarantee how much one person will walk or get stuck, versus someone else. A person needs to be in good physical condition, with no recent or pending surgeries. If normally getting up and out of a chair is a problem, tubing at this Low time is NOT recommended. If someone in your group is over weight, this will result in getting stuck more often and River Rat recommends going when the water is higher.
Very Low Water Description (0-49 CFS)
These are not ideal conditions for tubing in Townsend. When the water is VERY LOW, you will get stuck, and you will walk with your tube in some areas. However, many people that understand the conditions and are prepared still have a good time. There are still places to swim and enjoy being in mother nature. If you decide to go, please understand the Little River has a very rocky river bottom. The river bottom can also be slick and uneven. Protective footwear is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED during these Low Water days. Push sticks are also very helpful on low water days. You are welcome to bring you own or purchase one from our gift shop.
Every person is different and we cannot guarantee how much one person will walk or get stuck, versus someone else. A person MUST be in good physical condition, with no recent or pending surgeries/injuries. If normally getting up and out of a chair is a problem, tubing at this VERY LOW time is NOT recommended. If someone in your group is over weight, this will result in getting stuck more often and River Rat recommends going when the water is higher.
