San Gabriel

Georgetown to Jonah (10 miles)

DifficultyII+
Length10 mi
Avg Gradient9 fpm
GaugeSan Gabriel Below Georgetown
Flow Rate as of 1 hour
211 cfsbelow recommended
Reach Info Last UpdatedMay 4, 2016

River Description

At the right levels (beta from paddlers indicates that 4000 cfs is probably ideal), this stretch of the San Gabe offers some great playboating opportunities-- particularly in the last 5.75 miles (below the Berry Creek confluence.)  For more information, see Texas Whitewater.

NOTE:  Many whitewater boaters choose to put in on Berry Creek at the FM 971 bridge, since the best rapids are below the confluence.  This makes the total run 6.25 miles instead of 10.

Distances and gradient measured using GIS tools in 2015.

River Features

San Gabriel Park

Distance: 0 mi
Access Point
San Gabriel Park

Parking/access at river left.  Put in below the low-water crossing.

FM 971 Bridge (Berry Creek)

Distance: 0 mi
Access Point
FM 971 Bridge (Berry Creek)

Alternate put-in on Berry Creek, which allows whitewater boaters to concentrate on the rapids and play spots below the confluence -- subtracts 3.75 miles from the total distance.

Parking/access is available on the SW (river right, downstream) side of the bridge.

College St. Bridge

Distance: 0.05 mi
Other
College St. Bridge

Reference point

Railroad bridge

Distance: 0.57 mi
Other
Railroad bridge

Reference point

Low-Head Dam

Distance: 0.67 mi
Other
Low-Head Dam

Should be runnable at center

NE Inner Loop

Distance: 1.41 mi
Access Point
NE Inner Loop

Parking/access available at river right

SH 130 bridges

Distance: 1.86 mi
Other
SH 130 bridges

Reference point (no access)

Berry Creek Confluence

Distance: 4.24 mi
Other
Berry Creek Confluence

Reference point

SH 29 Bridge

Distance: 7.17 mi
Access Point
SH 29 Bridge

Parking/access at river left on the downstream side of the bridge

CR 100 (Low-Water Crossing)

Distance: 7.24 mi
Portage
Hazard
CR 100 (Low-Water Crossing)

Known to be hazardous.  At least one boater has been swept under this crossing at high water.  Portage on river left.

FM 1660 Bridge

Distance: 9.99 mi
Access Point
FM 1660 Bridge

Parking/access at river right on the downstream side of the bridge

Trip Reports

Log in to add a report
JR
500 & 1000 CFS - JP Roos

Jun 17, 2026

A couple of weeks ago, I did this section 2 days in a row. Both were done in tandem on a packraft to prepare for a race later in the year. Day one was just over 1000 CFS. There were some nice wave trains and maybe even an easy Class 2 rapid. Most of the good stuff is closer to Jonah.

Day two, the CFS was about 500. It was navigable, but not nearly as fun. The wave trains were half as big, and the rapids were almost non-existent.

If nothing else in Central Texas is flowing, this might still be an option.

?
Untitled

Sep 12, 2007

this run is a pretty good run. Lots of waves to surf on and Lots of small to medium rapids. Wad better then I thought it was. Only thing is the water is not so good. WAY better then the section below the dam. to Georgetown. We got out at Jonah and im glad we did some nice rapids the last 3miles.