Llano River
About
From Junction through Mason to Castell, the Llano cuts 100 miles of granite shoals and spring-fed pools across the Texas Hill Country. The upper 40 miles from Junction to Mason hold the clearest water, fed by springs that keep flows steady even in drought years. Below Mason, the river widens through ranch country for 30 miles to Castell, then another 30 miles of gentle current to the town of Llano. At 260 CFS average with an optimal range of 100–1000, the Llano runs Class I-II depending on recent rains and releases from upstream reservoirs. The granite底床 creates natural slides and swimming holes that make this a popular summer float, with Llano River Adventures providing shuttle services along the corridor. USGS gauge 08150000 at Llano tracks the lower river conditions. The Llano River Watershed Alliance works to maintain water quality through this limestone karst system, where much of the baseflow emerges from underground sources in Llano and Mason counties.
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and access points may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level.