Susan River river run
Susan River
The river has a total segment mileage of approximately 20 miles, with the upper section being the most challenging. The upper section of the Susan River is known for its technical rapids, steep drops, and tight chutes. Some of the specific rapids and obstacles on this section include the "Pinball" rapid and the "Birthday Cake" rapid.
The lower section of the river is more mellow and suitable for beginner to intermediate paddlers. This section features some class II rapids and scenic views of the surrounding terrain.
There are certain regulations to be followed while paddling on the Susan River. The river is located in the Lassen National Forest, and visitors must obtain a permit before entering the area. Additionally, visitors must follow Leave No Trace principles and pack out all trash and waste.
In conclusion, the Susan River offers a challenging and exhilarating whitewater experience for intermediate to advanced paddlers. The ideal streamflow range, class rating, segment mileage, specific rapids and obstacles, and regulations all contribute to making this river a popular destination for paddlers.
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 Susan River -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish C Ab Blackhawk C At Keddie Ca | 114 cfs | → |
| Spanish C A Quincy Ca | 56 cfs | → |
| Hat C Nr Hat Creek Ca | 183 cfs | → |
| Pit R Bl Pit No 1 Ph Nr Fall River Mills Ca | 1,450 cfs | → |
| Sf Pit R Nr Likely Ca | 159 cfs | → |
| N Yuba R Bl Goodyears Bar Ca | 599 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.
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 Susan 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.
About Susan River
What's the optimal flow for Susan 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.
Other runs near here
Snoflo-tracked paddle runs within driving distance of Susan River.