Salmon Creek Trib river run
Salmon Creek Trib
The Salmon Creek Tributary has a segment mileage of approximately 7 miles, and there are several notable rapids and obstacles along the way. The upper section of the river features rapids such as "Crunchy Granola" and "Pita," which offer technical challenges to more experienced paddlers. The lower section has more playful rapids such as "Cherry Bomb" and "S-Turn," which are ideal for beginners.
In terms of regulations, the Salmon Creek Tributary is managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and is open for public use year-round. However, there are specific regulations in place to protect the river and its ecosystem. For example, no motorized boats are allowed on the river, and visitors are required to pack out all trash and waste.
Overall, the Salmon Creek Tributary is a beautiful and exciting whitewater river run in California. With its ideal streamflow range, class rating, and range of rapids and obstacles, it offers something for paddlers of all skill levels. However, it's important to follow all regulations to ensure the preservation of this stunning natural resource.
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 Salmon Creek Trib -- 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 | → |
| Bull C Nr Weott Ca | 10 cfs | → |
| Mad R Nr Arcata Ca | 163 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
- Salmon Creek
- Starts In Sec. 8 T3n, R1e, H.M. To Ends In Sec. 15, T3n, R1e, H.M
- From The Confluence With The South Fork Elk River To To The Headwaters In Sec. 21, T3n, R1e, H.M.
- Little South Fork Elk Creek
- 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
- Redwood Acres Fairgrounds
- Humboldt County Fairgrounds
- Samoa Boat Ramp County Rv Park
- Ancient Redwoods Rv Park
- Fork Camp
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 Salmon Creek Trib 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 Salmon Creek Trib
What's the optimal flow for Salmon Creek Trib?
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 Salmon Creek Trib.