West Branch Nelson Creek Headwaters To Confluence With Nelson Creek river run
West Branch Nelson Creek Headwaters To Confluence With Nelson Creek
The segment mileage for this run is approximately 7.5 miles, with specific river rapids and obstacles including S-turns, boulder gardens, and drops. One of the more notable rapids is called "Fuji" and is a Class IV rapid with a large boulder in the middle of the channel.
There are specific regulations to the area, including the requirement for a valid California fishing license if fishing, and a permit is required for any camping in the surrounding areas. Additionally, all boaters must wear a personal flotation device (PFD) while on the river.
Overall, the Whitewater River Run is a challenging and exciting destination for experienced boaters, with its varying flow and class rating providing a unique and thrilling experience.
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 West Branch Nelson Creek Headwaters To Confluence With Nelson Creek -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish C A Quincy Ca | 47 cfs | → |
| Spanish C Ab Blackhawk C At Keddie Ca | 90 cfs | → |
| N Yuba R Bl Goodyears Bar Ca | 471 cfs | → |
| Little Truckee R Bl Div Dam Nr Sierraville Ca | 3 cfs | → |
| Independence C Nr Truckee Ca | 21 cfs | → |
| Sagehen C Nr Truckee Ca | 10 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.
Boat launches
- Plumas County
- Peninsula Road, Strawberry Valley
- Salmon Lake Road 1500, Sierra City
- Salmon Lake -Boat Ramp Boating Site
- Sardine Lake Road 990, Sierra City
- Smokey Lane 44-50, Alleghany
Other river runs
- East Branch Nelson Creek Headwaters To Confluence With Nelson Creek
- Confluence With East And West Branches Of Nelson Creek To Confluence With Middle Fork Feather Wsr
- Headwaters To Confluence With Nelson Creek
- Headwaters At West Branch Canyon Creek (Sec 26, T22n, R10e) To Confluence With Canyon Creek
- Headwaters Of North Fork Canyon Creek (Sec 6, T21n, R11e) To Confluence With East Fork Canyon Creek
Campgrounds
- Ross Campground
- Plumas - Eureka State Park
- Red Feather Campground
- Running Deer Campground
- Running Deer
- Little Beaver Campground
Fishing spots
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 West 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.
About West Branch Nelson Creek Headwaters To Confluence With Nelson Creek
What's the optimal flow for West 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.
Other runs near here
Snoflo-tracked paddle runs within driving distance of West Branch Nelson Creek Headwaters To Confluence With Nelson Creek.