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River Safety

The Brazos River offers a sampling of each of the major geographic regions of the state including a variety of diverse landscapes and natural habitat. Like many rivers in Texas, the Brazos is navigable in some areas and less so in others; however, paddling, hunting and fishing area available and open to everyone year-round.

Paddling

Rules for paddlers differ from those applied to motorized boats. The State of Texas does not require that canoes and kayaks be licensed and registered. However, other state laws do apply to those that paddle on Texas rivers.

Free paddling maps for the two most popular areas below Possum Kingdom Lake and Lake Granbury can be obtained by clicking here.

With the exception of the area just downstream of the reservoirs, the Brazos River Authority does not own property along the river. For this reason, it is recommended that paddlers research state bridges and recreation camps for canoe put in and take out locations along the river.

A helpful website for paddling along the Brazos River is SouthwestPaddler.com. Information regarding locations, flow, hazards, put in and take out locations and other advice can be found by clicking here.

Hunting on the River

The State of Texas allows hunting on all public lands during the appropriate hunting season. Since the riverbed is public land, hunting is allowed there.

Hunters must be aware of state laws pertaining to hunting. Though you are on public land, it is against the law to fire across or enter private property along the river banks without the property owner’s permission.

Hunters must also be aware that state law prohibits motor vehicles, both tracked and wheeled, from Texas riverbeds.

River Safety Frequently Asked Questions

Although the Brazos River Authority does not have launch points on the Brazos, many such locations are available. The most popular paddling sites are the stretches of river below Possum Kingdom Lake and Lake Granbury as well as the Gulf Coast region. You can find points below the dam at Possum Kingdom Lake and below Lake Granbury by clicking here. Information about the Texas Parks and Wildlife’s Brazos River Trail is available here.

Another great resource for paddling the Brazos is Southwest Paddler, which can be found by clicking here.

The bed and banks of the Brazos River are public lands. Camping, as well as activities such as fishing and picnicking are allowed within the riverbed. However, most of the property along the banks is privately owned. To avoid trespassing on private property, be sure to remain within the river’s bed and banks.

The river’s many sandbars are ideal spots for campers to pitch their tents. However, when camping, picnicking or paddling along the river, it is important to stay alert for possible rapid increases in river levels and speed due to rainstorms or water being released from the upstream dam. Check the Authority’s home page, before you go to see if any releases are planned or call the Authority’s Public Information Office at (888) 922-6272.

Under Texas law, the river bed is public property up to the “gradient boundary.” Though the definition of the boundary can be confusing, it roughly means the point where more woody plants begin to grow.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department provides an excellent explanation of laws pertaining to issues of stream bed and banks in Texas, click here.

Yes, since the riverbed is public land, hunting is allowed there. However, hunters should be mindful that state law prohibits motor vehicles, both tracked and wheeled, from Texas riverbeds. Hunters are also not allowed to fire across or enter private property along the river banks without the property owner’s permission.

While there are no numerical speed limits, game wardens and other officers may issue citations for excessive speed or reckless operation. Excessive speed is defined as a rate greater than is reasonable or prudent without regard for conditions and hazards, or greater than a speed where a person can stop a boat with clear distance ahead. It is up to boaters to use common sense, and operate at a safe speed, especially in crowded areas.

State law does not set a maximum noise level specifically for boats in public areas. However, boat operators potentially could be cited for disorderly conduct if the noise exceeds 85 decibels in a public area or near a private residence. Also, motorboats must have an exhaust water manifold or a factory type muffler installed on the engine.

It is not illegal to consume alcohol when camping or boating on a river or lake in Texas. However, it is illegal to drive a motorized boat while intoxicated or to be publicly intoxicated.

Texas game wardens, county sheriffs and their deputies, and local police can ticket or arrest you for boating while intoxicated or being drunk and disorderly. The blood-alcohol limit for boating while intoxicated is .08 percent, the same.