South Fork Battle Creek river run
South Fork Battle Creek
One of the most exciting sections of this river is the “Box Canyon” which includes rapids such as “S-Turn”, “Pinball”, and “Headbanger”. This section is class IV and requires advanced paddling skills. Other notable rapids on the South Fork Battle Creek include “Dimple Rapid”, “Up and Over Rapid”, and “Landslide Rapid”.
There are specific regulations in place for this area, such as a limit on the number of vehicles allowed at the put-in and take-out points. It is also important to note that the South Fork Battle Creek is located on private property, so it is crucial to obtain permission before accessing the river.
Overall, the South Fork Battle Creek offers a thrilling whitewater experience for experienced paddlers. It is important to always check the current streamflow and weather conditions before attempting this run.
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 South Fork Battle Creek -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Battle C Bl Coleman Fish Hatchery Nr Cottonwood Ca | 359 cfs | → |
| Sacramento R Ab Bend Bridge Nr Red Bluff Ca | 11,000 cfs | → |
| Mill C Nr Los Molinos Ca | 252 cfs | → |
| Deer C Nr Vina Ca | 219 cfs | → |
| Cottonwood C Nr Cottonwood Ca | 245 cfs | → |
| Hat C Nr Hat Creek Ca | 175 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
- North Fork From Nf Boundary At Section Line Between 17/18, T28n, R1e. To Mcclure Place
- Just Below Highway 36 Crossing To One-Half Mile Downstream From Hole-In-The-Ground
- South Fork From Antelope Campground To One-Quarter Mile Above North Fork Antelope Creek
- One-Half Mile Downstream From Hole-In-The-Ground To Sec Line Between 29/20 T28n, R3e, Below Big Bend
- Lassen Np Boundary To Just Below Highway 36 Crossing
Campgrounds
- Battle Creek Campground
- Battle Creek
- Hole In The Ground
- Hole-In-The-Ground Campground
- Living Springs Campground
- Mt. Lassen / Shingletown Koa Holiday
Fishing spots
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 South Fork Battle Creek 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 South Fork Battle Creek
What's the optimal flow for South Fork Battle Creek?
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 South Fork Battle Creek.