Brazos, |
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| Usual Difficulty | II+ (may vary with level) |
|---|---|
| Length | 0.2 Miles |
| Avg. Gradient | 8 fpm |
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazos Rv at SH 21 nr Bryan, TX | ||||
| usgs-08108700 | 11.00 - 23.50 ft | II+ | 01h11m | 15.92 ft (rc= 0.4 ) |
Hidalgo Falls is a unique in spot in Southeast Texas (mainly because it has rapids!). It also has
an interesting history, including mastodon bones found just downstream, and that it was used as a
river crossing by Stephen F. Austin and the "original 300" anglo settlers in Texas. Six miles
downstream is Washington-on-the-Brazos, where Texas declared it's independence from Mexico.
Thanks to the generosity of local paddlers and paddling clubs, the Texas Rivers Protection
Association (TRPA) owns 14 acres at Hidalgo Falls, including about 4 acres fronting the middle
and lower rapids. Access is through a locked gate you
must have the combination to enter. To see how to get the combination, and for more
information about Hidalgo Falls, CLICK HERE to connect to the
Hidalgo Falls website. From that website you can also get information about the Hidalgo Falls
Festival held every April.
See 'Flow Info' tab for more details on features at this playspot.
This gauge is 50 miles up stream so it takes about 18 hours for the water to arrive at Hidalgo Falls.
| Level | Description |
| 11-13 feet | The best features at this level are the upper right Rodeo Hole and the bottom wave train, where there is a glassy wave followed by a breaking wave to river right |
| 14-16 feet | There are numerous features at this level (too many to name), but here are a few of them. Closer to 14 ft the lower left Friendly Hole is 360 heaven. As you get closer to 16 ft it is less retentive but still playable (and deeper for possible cartwheels). At around 16 ft the upper left ledge has numerous spots, but it is sometimes difficult to access. At 15-16 (and up) the Ender Please spot is quite good (beware of the squirrely eddy line). The bottom right wave train is huge, but difficult to catch in anything but the fastest boat. The middle left stern squirt eddy line starts working in this range and continues to be fun at higher levels. |
| 17-20 feet | Once again, at these levels there are numerous playspots all over the river. Ender Please is great (especially at 17-18 ft) and the bottom wave train is huge, but difficult to catch. The best spot in this range, especially around 19 ft is the upper left ledge (at the bottom of the Bamboo Trail). It is a wide ledge with a big breaking wave where many tricks are possible. This is probably the best spot at any level. |
| 21-24 feet | I have not paddled at these levels very often, but there are numerous playspots at 21-22 ft. Recently we discovered that at 23.5 ft there is an excellent, almost river-wide wave hole near the bottom drop. At these levels (and any level above about 17-18 ft) Hidalgo Falls is a big, powerful river with eddy fences, whirlpools and boils all over the place. |
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazos Rv at SH 21 nr Bryan, TX | ||||||||||||
| usgs-08108700 | 11.00 - 23.50 ft | II+ | 01h11m | 15.92 ft (rc= 0.4 ) | ||||||||
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| When | River/Gauge | Subject | Level | Reporter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brazos River [TX] |
Hidalgo Festival Rodeo
|
11' ? | Bruce Litton | |
| Brazos River [TX] |
Hidalgo Wave
|
11-12' | Bruce Litton | |
| Brazos River [TX] |
Surfing at Hidalgo
|
21 ft (Bryan) | James Trombley | |
| 5y237d06h26m | Brazos [TX] |
Hidalgo Falls
|
16.5 ft (?) | Monty Driver |
No Comments
Add a Comment| Mile | Rapid Name | Class | Features (Legend) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | The Slide |     | |
| 0.0 | Potholes! | |
The Slide is the place where most of us put in to paddle at Hidalgo. It is at the extreme upstream side of the accessible land. It is a fast dirt slide from the top of the river bank down to the river. During the summer the overhanging brush and trees make it look like a tunnel to the river. The bottom 3-4' drop almost straight down so lean back to avoid penciling in. It is a blast and is the best way to access Hidalgo because it is the only way to paddle to the upper right rapids, including the Rodeo Hole (otherwise you have to slog upstream through the mud on river right).
IMPORTANT UPDATE - The Slide caused 2 serious injuries in 2005 with high speed pitons at the bottom into a concrete sack. The concrete sacks have been removed and the problem should be fixed, but it is still a good idea to use the rope to lower yourself down and probe the landing area before sliding.
This does not refer to one rapid or area, rather it is about a river-wide issue at Hidalgo. The rocks that form the rapids at Hidalgo Falls are sandstone and the force of the river is constantly reshaping them. This mix has resulted in numerous potholes all over the riverbed. They range from can size to large whirlpool size.
If you swim at Hidalgo Falls, KEEP YOUR FEET UP AND DOWNSTREAM UNTIL YOU REACH THE BOTTOM, DEEP CHANNEL OR AN EDDY!! As far as I know we have not had a foot entrapment at Hidalgo yet, but that danger is definitely there. Be careful and swim smart!
River Alert
State News
River Links
NWRI - Brazos B) Hidalgo Falls (near Navasota - West of FM 159) **Access Restricted** (PnP) (mobile)
