Lower Pit River Canyon river run
Lower Pit River Canyon
Some of the specific rapids and obstacles on the Lower Pit River Canyon include the Spiral Staircase, a steep drop with multiple chutes, and the Notch, a narrow chute with a sharp turn. Other notable rapids include the Horseshoe, the S Turn, and the Popcorn. It is important for whitewater enthusiasts to be aware of potential hazards such as submerged rocks, strainers, and strong currents.
As with all river runs, there are specific regulations that must be followed in the Lower Pit River Canyon. Boaters are required to have a valid permit and must comply with all safety regulations, including wearing life jackets and carrying appropriate safety equipment. Additionally, camping is only allowed in designated areas and visitors must practice Leave No Trace principles to minimize their impact on the environment.
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 Lower Pit River Canyon -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Pit R Bl Pit No 1 Ph Nr Fall River Mills Ca | 1,310 cfs | → |
| Burney C A Burney Falls Nr Burney Ca | 168 cfs | → |
| Hat C Nr Hat Creek Ca | 179 cfs | → |
| Pit R Nr Canby Ca | 1 cfs | → |
| Sacramento R A Delta Ca | 556 cfs | → |
| Cow C Nr Millville Ca | 214 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
- Begins Immediately Southwest Of Fall River Mills, Ca To It Flows Into Shasta Lake And The Sacramento River.
- Lower Horse Creek Canyon
- Begins 2.5 Miles West Of Little Valley, California To Juncture With The Pit River.
- Upper Pit River Canyon
- Begins Near Muck Valley To Ends Two Miles From The Fall River Valley
Campgrounds
- Pit River
- Inter-Mountain Fair Of Shasta County
- Pit River/Cassel
- Dusty Camp
- Dusty Campground
- Mcarthur - Burney Falls State Park
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 Lower Pit River Canyon 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 Lower Pit River Canyon
What's the optimal flow for Lower Pit River Canyon?
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 Lower Pit River Canyon.