Bear Creak, South Fork river run
Bear Creak, South Fork
It is important to note that the Chunder rapid is located at the beginning of the river run and it is a technical rapid that requires precise maneuvering. The Meatgrinder is another challenging rapid that requires paddlers to navigate through a series of large boulders. The S-Turn is a rapid that requires paddlers to maneuver through a narrow and steep channel. Lastly, the Class V drop is a challenging rapid that requires paddlers to navigate through a steep drop and a series of large boulders.
It is important to follow specific regulations when visiting this area. The river run is located on private property and paddlers are required to obtain permission from the landowner before accessing the river. Additionally, paddlers are required to follow Leave No Trace principles and pack out all trash and waste. Overall, the Bear Creek, South Fork river run is a challenging and exciting destination for experienced paddlers looking for a new adventure.
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 Bear Creak, South Fork -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Mattole R Nr Ettersburg Ca | 46 cfs | → |
| Sf Eel R Nr Miranda Ca | 214 cfs | → |
| Sf Eel R A Leggett Ca | 97 cfs | → |
| Bull C Nr Weott Ca | 10 cfs | → |
| Eel R A Fort Seward Ca | 638 cfs | → |
| Mattole R Nr Petrolia Ca | 98 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
- From Its Headwaters In Sec. 18, T5s, R2e, Hm To From Shelter Cove Road
- Southeast 1/4 Of Sec. 19 And 30, T5s, R2e, Hm To To The Junction With The Main Stem
- Bridge Creek
- From Its Headwaters Just North Of The Humboldt Co./ Mendocino Co. Line To To The Pacific Ocean
Campgrounds
Parks
- King Range National Conservation Area
- Benbow Lake State Recreation Area
- John B. Dewitt Redwoods State Reserve
- Richardson Grove State Park
- Sinkyone Wilderness State Park
- Smithe Redwoods State Reserve
Points of interest
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 Bear Creak, South Fork 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 Bear Creak, South Fork
What's the optimal flow for Bear Creak, South Fork?
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 Bear Creak, South Fork.