Paddle Report

East Branch Nelson Creek Headwaters To Confluence With Nelson Creek river run

California, USA Nelson Creek
Today high
--
Tonight low
--
Current flow
--
% of normal
38%
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Linked streamgauge
-- cfs
Gauge height
--
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East Branch Nelson Creek Headwaters To Confluence With Nelson Creek -- California paddle run
East Branch Nelson Creek Headwaters To Confluence With Nelson Creek California · Nelson Creek
About this run

East Branch Nelson Creek Headwaters To Confluence With Nelson Creek

The Whitewater River Run in California is a popular destination for kayakers and rafters seeking a thrilling adventure on the water. The East Branch Nelson Creek Headwaters to Confluence with Nelson Creek segment is approximately 12 miles long and has a class rating of III/IV. The ideal streamflow range for this segment is between 400-800 cubic feet per second (cfs), but it can be run up to 1,200 cfs.

The Whitewater River Run has several notable rapids and obstacles. One of the most challenging is the "S-Turn" rapid, which requires precise maneuvering to navigate through the narrow channel. Another notable rapid is "Headquarters," which features a large boulder in the middle of the river that creates a significant drop.

To ensure the safety of all visitors, the California Department of Parks and Recreation has established specific regulations for the area. All visitors must wear a personal flotation device (PFD) at all times while on the water. Additionally, there are restrictions on the use of alcohol and drugs while on the river.

In summary, the Whitewater River Run in California offers an exciting adventure for experienced kayakers and rafters. With a class rating of III/IV and several challenging rapids, visitors should be prepared for a thrilling ride. It is important to follow all regulations and safety guidelines to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience on the water.
StateCalifornia
RiverNelson Creek
Elevation3,406 ft
Current flow--
Percent of normal38%
StreamgageUSGS 11401920
Latitude39.7989°
Longitude-120.8038°
Detailed forecast

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.

Hourly detail

Next 5 days, hour by hour

Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.

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Deep dive

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.

TimeConditionTemp (°F)Snow (in)Rain (in)Humidity (%)Wind (mps)Wind dir
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Long-term outlook

15-day temperature & precipitation

Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks -- the upstream story that drives next week's flows.

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Regional flow

Regional streamflow levels

USGS streamgauges around East Branch Nelson Creek Headwaters To Confluence With Nelson Creek -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.

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 East Branch Nelson Creek Headwaters To Confluence With Nelson Creek 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.

FAQ

About East Branch Nelson Creek Headwaters To Confluence With Nelson Creek

What's the optimal flow for East Branch Nelson Creek Headwaters To Confluence With Nelson Creek?

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.

Premium feature

Favorites and custom alerts are part of Snoflo Premium. Save runs, set discharge thresholds, and get push notifications when flows hit your window.

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Manage alerts in the Snoflo app

Custom push alerts are configured in the iOS app -- favorite this run, set a discharge threshold (e.g. "alert me at 600 cfs"), and you'll get a push the moment the gauge crosses.

Open App Store