Susquehanna River
🏔 Scenic River
Northumberland / Dauphin Co. · 444 mi · Class I–II
69,500CFS/ 6.68 ft
Above Optimal↓Falling fast (-400 cfs/hr)· -1,400 cfs in 3h
Optimal: 5000–30000 CFS · USGS #01570500
Length
Difficulty
Optimal
Avg Flow
Hist. Median
USGS Gauge
Pennsylvania Scenic Rivers Program · Captain John Smith Chesapeake NHT
The longest river on the East Coast at 444 miles — the Susquehanna drains nearly half of Pennsylvania on its way to the Chesapeake Bay. The river passes through Harrisburg, the state capital, where dramatic Class I–II ledges at City Island create an urban paddling playground. Wide, shallow, and island-studded, the Susquehanna is Pennsylvania"s big-water canoe river.
Trip sections
Sunbury to Harrisburg — 60 mi, island-studded, wide Class I
Harrisburg — City Island ledges, urban Class I–II
Below Harrisburg to Chesapeake — tidal transition
Outfitters
Susquehanna River Trail Association
Susquehanna water trail maps and access
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPSLoading forecast...
10-Year Flow Patterns
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Your Optimal Range
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Data Quality
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.