Paddle Report

Confluence With Gold Hill Creek To Castaic river run

California, USA Piru Creek, Upper/Lower Class III-IV
Today high
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Tonight low
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Current flow
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% of normal
85%
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Linked streamgauge
-- cfs
Gauge height
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Confluence With Gold Hill Creek To Castaic -- California paddle run
Confluence With Gold Hill Creek To Castaic California · Piru Creek, Upper/Lower
About this run

Confluence With Gold Hill Creek To Castaic

The Whitewater River run Confluence With Gold Hill Creek To Castaic in California is a 12.4-mile stretch of river that is ideal for experienced kayakers and rafters. The ideal streamflow range for this run is between 300-800 cfs, which can be measured at the Whitewater River USGS gauge.

This section of the river is rated as Class III-IV, with notable rapids and obstacles such as The Meatgrinder, Rock Garden, and S-Turns. These rapids require technical maneuvering skills and strong paddling abilities to navigate safely.

The segment mileage for this run starts at the confluence with Gold Hill Creek and ends at the Castaic Dam. This section of the river provides beautiful scenery as it flows through rugged canyons and steep rock formations.

There are specific regulations that apply to this area, including the requirement for all boaters to wear a personal flotation device (PFD). Additionally, there are seasonal closures and restrictions in place to protect wildlife and habitat in the area.

Overall, the Whitewater River run Confluence With Gold Hill Creek To Castaic is a challenging and scenic river run that requires skill and experience to navigate safely. It is important for boaters to be aware of the specific regulations and to monitor the streamflow levels before embarking on this adventure.
StateCalifornia
RiverPiru Creek, Upper/Lower
ClassIII-IV
Elevation2,090 ft
Current flow--
Percent of normal85%
StreamgageUSGS 11109550
Latitude34.6881°
Longitude-118.8886°
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 Confluence With Gold Hill Creek To Castaic -- 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 Confluence With Gold Hill Creek To Castaic 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 Confluence With Gold Hill Creek To Castaic

What's the optimal flow for Confluence With Gold Hill Creek To Castaic?

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.