Source (Tower Lake) Includes Kirkwood Creek, Cascade Creek And Tower Creek To Hoover Wilderness Boundary river run
Source (Tower Lake) Includes Kirkwood Creek, Cascade Creek And Tower Creek To Hoover Wilderness Boundary
The Whitewater River Run is a popular destination for whitewater enthusiasts in California. The ideal streamflow range for this run is between 200 and 500 cubic feet per second (cfs). The class rating of this run ranges from Class II to Class IV, depending on the segment. The segment mileage of the run is approximately 11 miles, starting from Tower Lake and ending at the Hoover Wilderness Boundary.
There are several notable rapids and obstacles along the way, including the Tower Drop, which is a Class IV rapid that requires precise navigation. Other rapids along the route include Kirkwood Creek Rapid and Cascade Creek Rapid.
There are specific regulations in place for this area to ensure the safety of visitors and protect the environment. Boaters are required to carry a valid permit and follow all local regulations, including restrictions on camping and campfires. Additionally, visitors are encouraged to practice Leave No Trace principles to minimize their impact on the surrounding wilderness.
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 Source (Tower Lake) Includes Kirkwood Creek, Cascade Creek And Tower Creek To Hoover Wilderness Boundary -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Robinson C At Twin Lks Outlet Nr Bridgeport | 124 cfs | → |
| Buckeye C Nr Bridgeport | 192 cfs | → |
| Green Creek Near Bridgeport | 60 cfs | → |
| W Walker R Blw L Walker R Nr Coleville | 1,260 cfs | → |
| Tuolumne R A Grand Cyn Of Tuolumne Ab Hetch Hetchy | 2,670 cfs | → |
| E Walker R Nr Bridgeport | 178 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
- Snow Lake To Hoover Wilderness Boundary
- Headwaters Kennedy Creek To Confluence With Middle Fork Stanislaus
- Hoover Wilderness Boundary To Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest Boundary
- Hoover Wilderness Boundary To Leavitt Meadows Campground
- Headwaters, Includes East Fork And West Fork To Hoover Wilderness Boundary
⛺ Campgrounds
- Dorothy Lake
- Stubblefield Canyon
- Benson Lake
- Lower Twin Lake Campground
- Campsite (2 Tents)
- Leavitt Lake Camping
🎣 Fishing spots
More fishing →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 Source (Tower Lake) Includes Kirkwood Creek, Cascade Creek And Tower Creek To Hoover Wilderness Boundary 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 Source (Tower Lake) Includes Kirkwood Creek, Cascade Creek And Tower Creek To Hoover Wilderness Boundary
What's the optimal flow for Source (Tower Lake) Includes Kirkwood Creek, Cascade Creek And Tower Creek To Hoover Wilderness Boundary?
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 Source (Tower Lake) Includes Kirkwood Creek, Cascade Creek And Tower Creek To Hoover Wilderness Boundary.