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Texas | Central Texas
Brazos RiverRiverside Park to Spivey Crossing RV Park
Brazos River day trip below Lake Whitney Dam from USACE Riverside Park to TPWD leased-access Spivey Crossing RV Park. TPWD RACA publishes the 9.59-mile segment, USACE documents public Riverside river access, and the Aquilla USGS gauge gives a direct same-reach flow check.
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Route location
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Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.
Permits, camping and season
Access and shuttle
Launch at Riverside Park below Whitney Dam and take out at Spivey Crossing for TPWD RACA's Whitney-to-Spivey Brazos segment. Use the Aquilla gauge with BRA's Brazos flow chart, then confirm dam releases, Spivey access, current, weather, and private-bank limits before leaving a shuttle.
Access map
Put-in
Riverside Park below Whitney DamUSACE documents Riverside Park on both sides of the Brazos below Whitney Dam. The stored put-in coordinate is a route-guide access anchor for Riverside Park; use current signs, park roads, and safe riverbank conditions for the actual water entry.
Take-out
Spivey Crossing RV ParkUSACE says the east-side gravel access road to the river closes when floodwater is being released. If that access is closed, skip the route instead of improvising a dam-tailwater launch.
Road shuttle
Stage Spivey Crossing first only after calling ahead for availability, fee, liability paperwork, and any shuttle handling, then return to Riverside Park below Whitney Dam. Inspect Riverside's river access before leaving because USACE closes the gravel river-access road when floodwater is being released.
Additional access notes
- TPWD publishes Spivey as an active leased-access take-out through August 31, 2027. Call before arrival, confirm availability, pay the day-use fee, sign required liability paperwork, and prearrange shuttle handling when using it as the downstream exit.
- Below BRA's 200 cfs paddling minimum, this reach can have shallow chutes and riffles. Check the live USGS 08093100 reading before launch.
- Lake Whitney Dam releases can create rapid rises and swift current even if the day starts low. Recheck release conditions, weather, and the hydrograph before committing.
More route and safety guidance
- Use Riverside Park and Spivey Crossing only as the planned access pair. Spivey is a leased-access site with call-ahead, day-use, fee, shuttle, and liability-form requirements.
- BRA's flow chart puts current low readings below the paddling minimum; at similar levels expect shallow bars, more dragging, and a no-go recommendation until the gauge recovers.
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Conditions
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Gauge source
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Weather
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Plan ahead
Tomorrow and the weekend
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Station details and river cameras
Station observations
USGS measurements
Measurement notes and coverage
These are observations at the station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Brazos Rv nr Aquilla, TX. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Photos and recent reports
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Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
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Sources and methodology
Review source dates and published guidance below. We have not inspected this trip in person.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Brazos Rv nr Aquilla, TX |
| Discharge | Checking |
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| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
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| Wind | Checking |
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| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | 501 cfs to 1,200 cfs |
| Low threshold | 200 cfs |
| High threshold | 5,000 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Brazos River Authority paddling-flow chart |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Official route shapeRiverside Park to Spivey Crossing, 9.59 mi
TPWD RACA river-segment data names the Whitney-to-Spivey route from Riverside Park to Spivey Crossing as a 9.59-mile Brazos segment and warns about hydropower peaking flows.
- Put-in accessUSACE Riverside Park below Whitney Dam
USACE documents Riverside Park downstream of Whitney Dam on both sides of the river, with camp/picnic sites, restrooms, a fishing platform, and an east-side gravel access road to the river that closes when floodwater is being released.
- Take-out accessSpivey Crossing RV Park, active TPWD leased access
TPWD publishes Spivey Crossing as an active leased-access take-out for the 10-mile float from Riverside Park, with coordinates, daylight access, call-ahead availability, fee, liability-form, and shuttle requirements.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-08-11USGS 08093100 at 55.3 cfs / 6.09 ft
This reading was saved when we checked the guide. It is not today’s water level. Check the current gauge and local conditions before paddling.
- Brazos flow guidance200 cfs below minimum; 501-1,200 cfs ideal; 5,001+ cfs flood
BRA's public river-recreation chart lists 200 cfs or less as below the minimum needed for paddling, 501-1,200 cfs as ideal conditions, 1,200-3,000 cfs as hazardous, 3,001-5,000 cfs as experts-only, and 5,001+ cfs as flood conditions.
- Camping and safetyRiverside camp/picnic sites; Spivey private accommodations; dam-release warning
USACE documents Riverside camp/picnic facilities, TPWD describes Spivey RV/cabin/cottage services as adjacent private accommodations, and TPWD warns Lake Whitney Dam releases can cause rapid rises and swift current.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
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