Whitewater & Rivers

Real-time USGS river flows + weather · USGS Water Data → · AW →

Flow data is from USGS gauges — optimal ranges are community estimates, not safety thresholds. River difficulty changes with water level. Always scout and paddle within your ability. Disclaimer

16 runs

Skykomish River (Gold Bar)

Skykomish River · 8 mi

Class III-IV
USGS #12134500 Runnable
2,560 CFS · 6.36 ft
0 CFS Optimal: 1,500–8,000 16,000

Updated May 28, 8:30 AM

Classic PNW whitewater. Boulder Drop is the crux rapid at Class IV. Highway run visible from US-2. Great intermediate+ run.

Year-round
☀️ 64°F W 4mph

76°

🌧️

61°

61°

Wenatchee River (Tumwater Canyon)

Wenatchee River · 12 mi

Class III-IV
USGS #12459000 Runnable
4,270 CFS · 5.12 ft
0 CFS Optimal: 2,000–10,000 20,000

Updated May 28, 8:15 AM

Snowmelt-fed run through Tumwater Canyon near Leavenworth. Continuous Class III with bigger water at higher flows. Commercial raft run.

Apr–Aug
☀️ 62°F W 2mph

72°

🌦️

55°

56°

Tieton River

Tieton River · 13 mi

Class III-IV

Flow data unavailable

USGS Gauge #12491500 · Optimal: 1,500–2,500 CFS

Annual fall dam release creates reliable Class III-IV whitewater. Tieton Festival in September. Short season but excellent paddling.

Sep–Oct (dam release)
☀️ 68°F W 2mph

🌧️

81°

58°

60°

White Salmon River

White Salmon River · 8 mi

Class III-IV
USGS #14123500 Runnable
835 CFS · 3.89 ft
0 CFS Optimal: 400–2,000 4,000

Updated May 28, 8:00 AM

Spring-fed river in the Columbia Gorge. Crystal-clear water, consistent flows year-round. Husum Falls is a committing Class IV-V drop.

Year-round
☀️ 73°F W 2mph

🌧️

82°

62°

67°

Sauk River

Sauk River · 10 mi

Class III
USGS #12186000 Low
1,010 CFS · 3.73 ft
0 CFS Optimal: 2,000–8,000 16,000

Updated May 28, 8:15 AM

Remote wilderness run near Darrington. Glacier-fed with beautiful scenery. Solid Class III with wood hazards.

Nov–Jun
63°F W 3mph

71°

🌦️

57°

55°

Snoqualmie River (Middle Fork)

Snoqualmie (Middle Fork) River · 6 mi

Class II-III
USGS #12141300 Runnable
583 CFS · 2.44 ft
0 CFS Optimal: 500–3,000 6,000

Updated May 28, 8:15 AM

Close to Seattle with easy access. Class II-III, great for building whitewater skills. Can run low in summer.

Oct–Jun
☀️ 68°F W 2mph

🌧️

75°

🌧️

60°

🌫️

56°

Green River Gorge

Green River · 5 mi

Class III-IV
USGS #12106700 Too Low
321 CFS · 4.04 ft
0 CFS Optimal: 800–3,000 6,000

Updated May 28, 8:00 AM

Beautiful basalt gorge near Auburn. Portage Headwall at high water. Class III-IV in a tight canyon. Watch for wood.

Oct–Jun
☀️ 64°F W 3mph

75°

🌧️

58°

61°

Clackamas River (Upper)

Clackamas River · 13 mi

Class III-IV
USGS #14210000 Runnable
1,000 CFS · 11.41 ft
0 CFS Optimal: 1,000–5,000 10,000

Updated May 28, 8:45 AM

Outstanding Oregon whitewater. Bob's Hole is a famous playspot. Carter Bridge to Fish Creek is the classic run.

Oct–Jun
61°F W 3mph

🌧️

66°

🌦️

50°

53°

Deschutes River (Maupin)

Deschutes River · 13 mi

Class III
USGS #14092500 Runnable
3,600 CFS · 2.67 ft
0 CFS Optimal: 3,000–8,000 16,000

Updated May 28, 8:30 AM

High-desert whitewater near Maupin. Dam-controlled flows make it consistent. Boxcar Rapid is the highlight. Excellent multi-day options.

Year-round ⚠ Boater pass required May-Sep
☀️ 74°F W 2mph

🌧️

89°

64°

65°

Arkansas River (Browns Canyon)

Arkansas River · 11 mi

Class III-IV
USGS #07091200 Low
384 CFS · 3.94 ft
0 CFS Optimal: 700–3,000 6,000

Updated May 28, 8:45 AM

Most commercially rafted section in CO. Browns Canyon National Monument. Class III with IV at high water.

May–Aug
☀️ 59°F W 4mph

77°

🌦️

75°

66°

Clear Creek (Idaho Springs)

Clear Creek River · 6 mi

Class IV
USGS #06719505 Runnable
208 CFS · 4.55 ft
0 CFS Optimal: 200–800 1,600

Updated May 28, 8:45 AM

Technical Class IV right off I-70. Convenient to Denver. Short but action-packed.

May–Jul
58°F W 6mph

🌦️

68°

74°

🌦️

68°

Colorado River (Glenwood Canyon)

Colorado River · 16 mi

Class III-IV

Flow data unavailable

USGS Gauge #09071750 · Optimal: 3,000–15,000 CFS

Big-water run through Glenwood Canyon. Shoshone Rapids are the highlight at Class III-IV.

May–Aug
☀️ 71°F W 3mph

82°

80°

🌦️

65°

Poudre River (Narrows)

Poudre River · 5 mi

Class IV-V
USGS #06752260 Low
263 CFS · 2.13 ft
0 CFS Optimal: 400–1,500 3,000

Updated May 28, 8:15 AM

Northern CO's best whitewater. The Narrows section is steep and continuous Class IV-V.

May–Jul
55°F W 8mph

🌫️

70°

🌫️

76°

🌦️

68°

South Fork American

South Fork American River · 21 mi

Class III

Flow data unavailable

USGS Gauge #11445500 · Optimal: 1,000–5,000 CFS

Most popular whitewater run in California. Class III through Gold Country. Great for all levels.

Apr–Oct
53°F W 3mph

🌧️

57°

🌦️

60°

72°

North Fork American (Giant Gap)

North Fork American River · 12 mi

Class IV-V
USGS #11427000 Low
414 CFS · 0.94 ft
0 CFS Optimal: 600–2,500 5,000

Updated May 28, 8:15 AM

Multi-day wilderness run through Giant Gap. Serious Class IV-V in a spectacular granite canyon.

Apr–Jul
46°F W 3mph

🌨️

48°

🌦️

49°

64°

Kern River (Forks of the Kern)

Kern River · 17 mi

Class V

Flow data unavailable

USGS Gauge #11186000 · Optimal: 500–2,000 CFS

Premier Sierra whitewater. Multi-day Class V wilderness run. Stunning granite scenery.

May–Jul
48°F W 2mph

🌧️

53°

60°

67°