Lower San Francisco River river run
Lower San Francisco River
The river rapids on the Lower San Francisco River include obstacles such as "The Falls," which is a technical drop that requires precise boat maneuvering, and "The Wall," a steep and powerful rapid that requires experienced paddlers. Other notable rapids include "The Slot," "The Squeeze," and "The Zig Zag."
Regulations for the Lower San Francisco River include a permit requirement through the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for all commercial and private boaters. Additionally, camping is only allowed in designated areas and fires are prohibited. The BLM also advises visitors to bring a throwable personal flotation device, a first aid kit, and other safety equipment.
Overall, the Lower San Francisco River is a challenging and exciting whitewater run for experienced paddlers. Proper preparation and safety precautions are essential for a successful trip on this river.
Plan your run down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram; rain ahead of a run typically lifts flows 12-48 hours later depending on the basin.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks -- the upstream story that drives next week's flows.
Regional streamflow levels
USGS streamgauges around Lower San Francisco River -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Gila River Near Clifton | 17 cfs | → |
| San Francisco River At Clifton | 17 cfs | → |
| Eagle Creek Above Pumping Plant | 40 cfs | → |
| Bonita Creek Near Morenci | 2 cfs | → |
| Gila River At Head Of Safford Valley | 38 cfs | → |
| Gila River At Duncan | 12 cfs | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest boat launches, other paddle runs, and campgrounds so a day on the water can grow into a full weekend.
🛶 Other river runs
More paddle runs →⛺ Campgrounds
More campgrounds →🌳 Parks
More parks →⚑ Points of interest
More POIs →Whitewater safety
- Check the flow before you run
- Use the linked-gauge card and Regional Flow panel above. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV+ at high water.
- Know your skill ceiling
- Pick runs comfortably below your ceiling. Cold-water and big-water runs raise the consequences of any mistake.
- Wear the right gear
- Helmet, PFD, drysuit / wetsuit when water is below 60°F. Throw bag, knife, and whistle on your person, not in the boat.
- Scout, set safety, and run with a team
- Scout new rapids on foot, set safety with throw bags above the consequence pool, and run with at least one other competent paddler.
- Respect the river
- Strainers, undercuts, low-head dams, and wood can kill at any class rating. When in doubt, portage.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Lower San Francisco River as a favorite, set a discharge threshold (e.g. "alert me when flow hits 600 cfs"), and the iOS app pushes the moment the linked gauge crosses.
About Lower San Francisco River
What's the optimal flow for Lower San Francisco River?
The optimal flow depends on the section and the craft. Check the Run Details panel for the linked gauge and current status.
How fresh is the cfs reading on this page?
The linked USGS streamgauge reports continuously (every 15 minutes); Snoflo refreshes throughout the day. Hover the streamflow sparkline to read individual datapoints.
What's the whitewater class?
See the Run Details panel for the class rating Snoflo tracks for this run. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV in high water.
Where do I put in / take out?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions to the put-in. For shuttle planning, check the Nearby Boat Launches panel and the river run operator's site.
Can I get alerts when flows hit the optimal range?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this run, set a discharge threshold, and you'll get a push the moment the gauge crosses.
Other runs near here
Snoflo-tracked paddle runs within driving distance of Lower San Francisco River.