East Branch South Fork Eel river run
East Branch South Fork Eel
The segment mileage for this river run is approximately 9 miles, with a put-in at the Dos Rios Bridge and a take-out at the South Fork Eel River. The river rapids and obstacles that paddlers can expect to encounter include the Hurricane Hole, which is a Class IV rapid, as well as numerous Class III rapids such as Pinball, Haystack, and Waterslide.
Specific regulations to the area include a mandatory shuttle service, which is designed to reduce traffic congestion and protect the environment. Additionally, all paddlers are required to wear a personal flotation device (PFD) and have a whistle on their person. It is also recommended that paddlers have prior whitewater experience and training before attempting this river run.
In summary, the East Branch South Fork Eel is a challenging and exciting whitewater river run with an ideal streamflow range between 400 and 1,200 cfs. The class rating is Class III-IV, with a segment mileage of 9 miles and specific river rapids and obstacles such as Hurricane Hole, Pinball, and Haystack. Specific regulations to the area include a mandatory shuttle service, PFD and whistle requirements, and recommended prior whitewater experience and training.
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 East Branch South Fork Eel -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sf Eel R A Leggett Ca | 97 cfs | → |
| Elder C Nr Branscomb Ca | 4 cfs | → |
| Sf Eel R Nr Miranda Ca | 214 cfs | → |
| Eel R A Fort Seward Ca | 638 cfs | → |
| Mf Eel R Nr Dos Rios Ca | 239 cfs | → |
| Mattole R Nr Ettersburg Ca | 46 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
Campgrounds
- Redwoods River Resort Campground
- Richardson Grove Camping
- Hotel Gulch Campsite
- Anderson Gulch Camp
- Jackass Camp
- Wheeler Campground
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 East Branch South Fork Eel 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 East Branch South Fork Eel
What's the optimal flow for East Branch South Fork Eel?
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 East Branch South Fork Eel.