From The Confluence With The South Fork Elk River To To The Headwaters In Sec. 21, T3n, R1e, H.M. river run
From The Confluence With The South Fork Elk River To To The Headwaters In Sec. 21, T3n, R1e, H.M.
The river has several notable rapids, including "The Chute," "Pinball," and "Meatgrinder." The Chute is a narrow, technical rapid with a steep drop that requires precise maneuvering. Pinball is a boulder garden with multiple channels that require quick decision-making and solid boat control. Meatgrinder is a long, continuous rapid with several large waves and holes.
There are no specific regulations for this area, but it is recommended that all boaters wear appropriate safety gear, including helmets and personal flotation devices. It is also important to respect private property and avoid disturbing wildlife.
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 From The Confluence With The South Fork Elk River To To The Headwaters In Sec. 21, T3n, R1e, H.M. -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Eel R A Scotia Ca | 1,070 cfs | → |
| Van Duzen R Nr Bridgeville Ca | 141 cfs | → |
| Mad R Nr Arcata Ca | 163 cfs | → |
| Bull C Nr Weott Ca | 10 cfs | → |
| Redwood C Nr Blue Lake Ca | 39 cfs | → |
| Mattole R Nr Petrolia Ca | 98 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
- Hookton Slough Trailhead Access, Loleta
- Pedrazzini Boat Ramp
- Waterfront Trail Eureka
- South I Street, Arcata
Other river runs
- Little South Fork Elk Creek
- Starts In Sec. 8 T3n, R1e, H.M. To Ends In Sec. 15, T3n, R1e, H.M
- Salmon Creek Trib
- From The Reserve Boundary In Sec. 18, T3n, R1e, H.M. To To The Headwaters In Sec. 22 And 28, T3n, R1e, H.M.
Campgrounds
- Humboldt County Fairgrounds
- Redwood Acres Fairgrounds
- Samoa Boat Ramp County Rv Park
- Ancient Redwoods Rv Park
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 From The Confluence With The South Fork Elk River To To The Headwaters In Sec. 21, T3n, R1e, H.M. 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 From The Confluence With The South Fork Elk River To To The Headwaters In Sec. 21, T3n, R1e, H.M.
What's the optimal flow for From The Confluence With The South Fork Elk River To To The Headwaters In Sec. 21, T3n, R1e, H.M. ?
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 From The Confluence With The South Fork Elk River To To The Headwaters In Sec. 21, T3n, R1e, H.M. .