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Missouri | Missouri Ozarks
Current River
Akers Ferry to Pulltite
Check current paddling conditions for this Current River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route snapshot
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Today
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Start with the verdict, current conditions, route plan, and quick facts before you commit to the drive.
Today's conditions
Gauge
Recent trend
Checking preferred range.
Checking trend.
Gauge source
--Checking timestampMN DNR provides the current paddling level here, but not chart-ready recent samples.
Weather
Best window today
Checking weather.
Today by hour
Short-route forecast
Checking the next several hours.
Quick facts
Plan
Dial in the shuttle, distance, and access.
Use this section once the route looks viable and you need to turn it into an actual trip plan.
Access plan
Access, shuttle, and map
Launch at Akers Ferry and take out at Pulltite for the NPS-listed 9.6-mile Upper Current River day float. Use the Akers USGS gauge as a direct same-day low-water check, with the app using only a conservative 230 cfs minimum floor.
Put-in
Akers Lower / Akers Ferry accessOpen mapAkers and Pulltite are standard Ozark National Scenic Riverways access areas, but flood repairs, construction zones, parking, outfitter traffic, and temporary closure notices can change the practical launch or landing.
Take-out
Pulltite river access / campground areaOpen mapRecreation.gov currently describes Pulltite as year-round with flood-damaged facilities reduced after October 15, 2025. Inspect the take-out before launching and follow current NPS signs rather than assuming every facility is normal.
Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Akers and Pulltite are standard Ozark National Scenic Riverways access areas, but flood repairs, construction zones, parking, outfitter traffic, and temporary closure notices can change the practical launch or landing.
- Recreation.gov currently describes Pulltite as year-round with flood-damaged facilities reduced after October 15, 2025. Inspect the take-out before launching and follow current NPS signs rather than assuming every facility is normal.
- The coordinates reuse practical access-area anchors from adjacent implemented Current River routes, not official ramp-coordinate tables. Current NPS signs and ramp layout should control on arrival.
Watch for
- Shallow riffles, scraping, and possible dragging when the Akers gauge is near or below the 230 cfs floor.
- High or rising water, fresh wood, cloudy water, and faster current after rain. NPS lists Akers at 4.00 ft and Pulltite at 4.20 ft as non-motorized closure levels in flood conditions.
- Cold spring-fed water, crowding on warm weekends, motorized-boat interactions under park horsepower rules, and limited cell service.
- Federal river rules: PFD requirements, children under 7 wearing PFDs, no glass or polystyrene, no vessel lashing, cave closures, and leash rules for dogs when on land.
Route gallery
See this route on the water
Photos help show what the access looks like and what the route actually feels like on the water.
Sources
Check the data behind today's call.
Use this section when the page shows stale data, limited confidence, or a call you want to verify before driving.
Why this scoreToday's data confidence is checking
Data confidence mostly comes down to three things: how direct the gauge is, how clear the range is, and how fresh the data is.
- Checking data confidence notes.
- Checking data confidence cautions.
OutlookTomorrow and weekend
This is a cautious early look. If the data is too thin, we leave it out.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
Data behind the scoreGauge, thresholds, and timing
These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.
| Gauge site | Current River above Akers, MO |
| Discharge | Checking |
| Gauge height | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
| 24h change | Checking |
| Current band | Checking |
| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
| Air temp | Checking |
| Water temp | Checking |
| Wind | Checking |
| Gusts | Checking |
| Rain timing | Checking |
| Ideal range | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 230 cfs |
| High threshold | Not calibrated yet |
| Data confidence behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Rivers.MOHERP Akers gauge trip evidence for Akers to Pulltite |
| Gauge source | Checking |
| Weather source | Checking |
| Rainfall source | Checking |
NotesWhat to know before you go
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Official route shapeAkers to Pulltite, 9.6 mi / 4 hr
NPS Estimated Float Times lists Akers to Pulltite as a 9.6-mile Upper Current River float with an estimated four-hour canoe/kayak time.
- Public floating rulesDesignated NPS river access points
NPS private-vessel guidance says there is no fee for private floating inside park boundaries, but paddlers should arrange their own transport, use designated river access points, follow posted signs, and park only in designated areas.
- Pulltite statusYear-round campground with reduced facilities after October 15, 2025
Recreation.gov describes Pulltite as year-round and says flood damage will reduce facilities to one vault toilet after October 15, 2025. Treat that as access-caveat support, not a promise that every ramp, road, or restroom is normal on arrival.
- Live direct gaugeUSGS 07064533 at 311 cfs / 1.09 ft
USGS Current River above Akers showed same-day discharge and gage height at 15:30 CDT on May 31, 2026. The gauge is in the Akers put-in corridor.
- Low-water floor230 cfs minimum-only
Rivers.MOHERP includes exact Akers-to-Pulltite trip evidence rated Good at 213 cfs, plus nearby Upper Current Good reports around 213 to 233 cfs. Paddle Today uses 230 cfs as a conservative floor and does not infer an ideal or high-water band.
- NPS high-water closure contextAkers 4.00 ft / Pulltite 4.20 ft
The NPS Superintendent Compendium says the Current and Jacks Fork close to non-motorized vessels during flood conditions and lists Akers and Pulltite closure stages. Use this as high-water caution, not an ideal range.
- Endpoint coordinates37.37591, -91.55148 to 37.33505, -91.47959
Coordinates reuse the already implemented Akers Lower and Pulltite access-area anchors from adjacent Current River routes. They are practical access anchors; NPS signs and current access layout should control on arrival.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
Reports
Photos, paddler notes, and updates.
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Quick answers
Current River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Current River?
Paddle Today watches Current River above Akers, MO and uses 230 cfs as the conservative low-water floor for this route. The ideal range still needs more paddler reports.
Where does this Current River route start and end?
This route starts at Akers Lower / Akers Ferry access and ends at Pulltite river access / campground area, about 9.6 mi on the water.
Is this Current River route good for beginners?
This is listed as an easy route, but conditions still matter. Check today's score, water level, weather, and access notes before you go.
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Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.