Kayak Love

Missouri · river

James River near Springfield

Live conditions for this USGS-monitored stretch of water, updated every 15 minutes.

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Paddle Score, from live wind and water conditions

Photograph taken near James River near Springfield
Nearby on Wikimedia Commons — James River Sunset - panoramio.jpg by Semipaw, CC BY 3.0. Taken within 10km of this location — it may not show the launch itself.

Wind

7 mph

gusting to 8 mph

Air temp

99°F

1% chance of rain

River flow

13.6 cfs

normal for this date

Best day to paddle this week

Sunday · 89

  • Today

    57

  • Wed

    37

  • Thu

    47

  • Fri

    78

  • Sat

    84

  • Sun

    89

    Best

  • Mon

    40

Scored from each day's peak forecast wind, heat, and rain chance — river flow isn't forecastable, so check back before you load the boat.

Wind, next 12 hours

mph
Hourly wind forecast
HourWind (mph)Gusts (mph)
1p89
2p78
3p67
4p89
5p78
6p57
7p69
8p717
9p816
10p59
11p511
12a614

Is this flow normal for September 8?

Today's 13.6 cfs is 28% below the median for this date — which counts as normal water here.

The median flow on this date is 19 cfs, across 69 years of USGS record at this gauge. Whether that is runnable depends on the stretch — this is context, not a recommendation.

Why this score

  • Wind7 mph — calm, ideal for any boat±0
  • Heat99°F — bring more water than you think-14

We don't have launch notes for this one

This page is built from the USGS gauge at this location, so the flow and weather are real — but we haven't verified where to put in, what the hazards are, or whether this stretch is legal or sensible to paddle. We'd rather say that than invent it. The links below are where to find out.

We also don't have a verified safe-flow range here, so the Paddle Score reflects weather only. Judge the flow number against local knowledge, not against our score.

Do your own homework

We show you live conditions. For local knowledge — where to put in, what the hazards are, whether it's worth the drive — here's where paddlers actually talk about this water. We don't vet these sources; check the dates and judge for yourself.

Nearby water

All paddling spots in Missouri