Paddle Report

North Fork Mokelumne River river run

California, USA North Fork Mokelumne River Class IV-V
Today high
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Tonight low
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Current flow
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% of normal
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Linked streamgauge
-- cfs
Gauge height
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Optimal low
500cfs
Optimal high
1,500cfs
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North Fork Mokelumne River -- California paddle run
North Fork Mokelumne River California · North Fork Mokelumne River
About this run

North Fork Mokelumne River

The North Fork Mokelumne River is a popular whitewater river run in the state of California. The ideal streamflow range for this river is between 500 and 1,500 cubic feet per second (cfs), which typically occurs during the spring months.

This river is rated as a Class IV-V run, which means it is a challenging and technical run with significant rapids and obstacles. The segment mileage for this river is approximately 9 miles, starting at the powerhouse and ending at the Salt Springs Reservoir.

There are several notable rapids and obstacles on the North Fork Mokelumne River, including Devil's Teeth, which is a Class V rapid with steep drops and tight turns. There is also a portage around a dangerous hydraulic feature known as "The Sieve."

There are specific regulations to the area, including a permit requirement for all boaters and a limit on the number of permits issued per day. Additionally, boaters must follow strict guidelines for camping and waste disposal in order to protect the ecosystem of the river.

Overall, the North Fork Mokelumne River is a challenging and rewarding whitewater run that requires skill and experience to navigate safely. Boaters must be prepared for the technical rapids and obstacles, as well as the specific regulations and permit requirements of the area.
StateCalifornia
RiverNorth Fork Mokelumne River
ClassIV-V
Elevation779 ft
Optimal range500 — 1,500 cfs
Current flow--
StreamgageUSGS 11335655
Latitude38.4198°
Longitude-120.5512°
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 North Fork Mokelumne River -- 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 North Fork Mokelumne River 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 North Fork Mokelumne River

What's the optimal flow for North Fork Mokelumne River?

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.

More river runs

Other runs near here

Snoflo-tracked paddle runs within driving distance of North Fork Mokelumne River.

Premium feature

Favorites and custom alerts are part of Snoflo Premium. Save runs, set discharge thresholds, and get push notifications when flows hit your window.

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Manage alerts in the Snoflo app

Custom push alerts are configured in the iOS app -- favorite this run, set a discharge threshold (e.g. "alert me at 600 cfs"), and you'll get a push the moment the gauge crosses.

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