Trip report for the San Marcos River from San Marcos’City Park to Westerfield Crossing on 6 August 2000 at 137 cfs for 5.5 miles and 2 ½ hours.

It’s an easy run waterwise—no threatening water, but there’s a number of obstructions. Rio Vista dam about a mile down the river is a fun drop for those with the skills. About 2 miles down, there’s a weir that should be portaged unless you’re good in a kayak. Cummings Dam at mile 4.7 is a labor intensive and mandatory portage on the right. The takeout for this stretch is Westerfield Crossing. Note that there have a lot of break-ins this year in cars parked there while people were on the river. We parked at Pecan Park a half mile downriver at a small charge of $1 per person. Finally, there are a number of fallen trees above the confluence with the Blanco River; these are a bit of work to get your boat over, under, or around.

Overall, above the Blanco, the river is narrow, winding, shaded, and intimate. Below, the river opens up and is wide and exposed till Cummings Dam. Over a mile above Cummings Dam and well above the confluence with the Blanco (which is dry most of the time), you’re in a still-water poll caused by the dam. During a hot summer drought when the Upper and Lower Guadalupe are running 25 to 50 cfs, this stretch of the San Marcos is a good place to get on the water.

Mike Fox