See all 3 routes on Yadkin River
North Carolina | Wilkes County
Yadkin River
Kerr Scott Tailwater to Smoot Park
Check current paddling conditions for this Yadkin River route, including water level, recent gauge trend, weather, and route details.
Route location
Loading the route snapshot. This usually takes a few seconds.
Need to know
Why this call
Conditions
Gauge history and hourly forecast
The top card is the quick read. This lower section keeps the longer gauge trend, gauge context, and hourly forecast together.
Gauge detail
Gauge history & hourly forecastDetailed view
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
Hourly forecast
Checking weather.
Loading today's forecast.
Next 8 hours
Short-route forecast
Checking the next several hours.
Route overview
Quick facts and what's next
Distance, difficulty, shuttle basics, and the near-term outlook before you commit to the drive.
Quick facts
Plan ahead
Upcoming outlook
These are early planning reads. Re-check live conditions before you commit to the drive.
Waiting on forecast.
Waiting on forecast.
Plan
Plan your trip
Launch points, shuttle details, distance, and access notes.
Route logistics
Access and shuttle
A short upper-Yadkin moving-water run with a dam-release screen, direct tailwater telemetry, public endpoints, and mostly Class I with some Class II current.
Prepare this trip
Take the plan with you
Download the canonical route, add a calendar hold, or send a simple float plan to your group.
Put-in
Kerr Scott Dam Tailwater AccessTailwater Access is at 202 Ranger Road, Wilkesboro, and Smoot Park is at 202 Chestnut Street, North Wilkesboro. Confirm the correct river-side entrance and current parking/ramp conditions on arrival.
Take-out
Smoot Park AccessThe tailwater gauge is below Kerr Scott Dam, but release operations and rainfall can change conditions quickly. Check the upstream release context and the live tailwater value immediately before unloading.
Plan this segment
Pulling access map tiles. Usually under 5 seconds.
Access caveats and watch for
Access caveats
- Tailwater Access is at 202 Ranger Road, Wilkesboro, and Smoot Park is at 202 Chestnut Street, North Wilkesboro. Confirm the correct river-side entrance and current parking/ramp conditions on arrival.
- The tailwater gauge is below Kerr Scott Dam, but release operations and rainfall can change conditions quickly. Check the upstream release context and the live tailwater value immediately before unloading.
Watch for
- dam release changes
- tailwater rise
- low water over riffles
- storm debris
- strainers and sweepers
- cold water
- access closures
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.
No approved route photos yet
Start the gallery with shots of the access, river character, or any detail that helps paddlers know what this run actually looks like.
Score & sources
Why this score
See the gauge, weather, and source notes behind today's call.
Why this scoreToday's evidence strength is checking
Evidence strength mostly comes down to three things: how direct the active gauge is, how clear the range is, and how fresh the data is.
- Checking evidence-strength notes.
- Checking evidence cautions.
Data behind the scoreGauge, thresholds, and timing
These are the live readings and threshold notes behind today's score.
| Gauge site | Yadkin River below W Kerr Scott Dam near Buck, NC |
| 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 |
| Target band | 250 cfs to 800 cfs |
| Low threshold | 150 cfs |
| High threshold | 1,000 cfs |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Local route guidance |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Yadkin Riverkeeper Kerr Scott release and upper-Yadkin outfitter guidance |
| 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.
- State-trail access chainKerr Scott Tailwater Access to Smoot Park
North Carolina lists both Tailwater and Smoot Park among the Yadkin River State Trail access applications.
- Put-in facilities202 Ranger Road, Wilkesboro; concrete ramp, paved parking, restrooms
The access description identifies this as the beginning of the Yadkin River State Trail and documents the public facility.
- Endpoint coordinates and route characterTailwater 36.1358333, -81.2231667 to Smoot Park 36.164, -81.1348333; about 7 miles, Class I–II
The Piedmont Triad access brochure publishes coordinates and the connected access sequence; local route material describes the beginner-friendly Class I–II character.
- Station-specific release guidanceUpper Yadkin local outfitter screen: dam gauge over 1,000 cfs is a no-go cue
Yadkin Riverkeeper documents checking the Kerr Scott release and using the dam gauge with downstream gauges before operating.
- Direct live gaugeUSGS 0211139110 below Kerr Scott Dam; 317 cfs and 2.02 ft at 2026-08-27 14:45 local time
The reviewed tailwater observation was inside the conservative operating screen; recheck the live value, trend, and dam release immediately before launch.
- Image decisionNo route-specific image selected; approved Yadkin River context image used
No route-specific image was copied into the repository; the preview uses a rights-clean NOAA/NWS Yadkin River context image and does not imply endpoint coverage.
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
Paddler reports
See recent photos and notes from people on the route.
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Keep exploring
More routes to check next
Compare another stretch on this river, or jump to nearby options before you pick a plan.
Quick answers
Yadkin River paddling FAQ
What water level is good for paddling Yadkin River?
Paddle Today watches Yadkin River below W Kerr Scott Dam near Buck, NC and treats 250 cfs to 800 cfs as the target band for this route, with weather and recent trend included in the final score.
Where does this Yadkin River route start and end?
This route starts at Kerr Scott Dam Tailwater Access and ends at Smoot Park Access, about 7.1 river miles on the water.
Is this Yadkin River route good for beginners?
This is listed as a moderate route. Expect more planning than an easy float, and use the live score, route notes, and source links before committing.
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Access, hazards, wood, and shuttle details change. Send a quick correction if something looks off.