Hazard Warning: Hazard information may be user-submitted and unverified. Conditions change frequently. Always scout rapids and obstacles yourself.

Hazard TX

Low-Head Dam

American Whitewater 30.2718, -98.5178

Save this feature with the run it belongs to.

Gauge Conditions

Pedernales Rv near Fredericksburg, TX Upstream Primary

Runnable: 900.0 – 10,000.0 CFS

Upper limit on boatable flows uncertain. Please add a comment or report.

Pedernales Rv near Johnson City, TX Downstream Primary

Runnable: 1,500.0 – 15,000.0 CFS

Data from American Whitewater & USGS

Photo

Photo courtesy of American Whitewater

Description

The Low-Head Dam on the Pedernales River presents an extreme hazard to paddlers, creating a dangerous hydraulic that can trap and recirculate boats and swimmers. This artificial structure forms a uniform, river-wide ledge that generates a powerful backwash with virtually no escape routes, making it essentially unrunnable and a critical portage point for any river traveler.