Headwaters Of North, Middle And South Forks To Confluence Of South Fork With Encampment River river run
Headwaters Of North, Middle And South Forks To Confluence Of South Fork With Encampment River
The class rating for this run ranges from II to IV, depending on the section of the river. The North Fork is rated Class II-III, the Middle Fork is Class III-IV, and the South Fork is Class III-IV. The total mileage for this run is approximately 30 miles, with each section offering its own unique challenges. Specific rapids and obstacles include "S-Turns" on the North Fork, "Three Forks" on the Middle Fork, and "Red Canyon" on the South Fork.
It is important to note that the Whitewater River Run is located primarily on private land, so there are specific regulations in place to ensure responsible use of the area. These regulations include obtaining permission from landowners before accessing the river, respecting private property boundaries, and leaving no trace of your visit to the area.
Overall, the Whitewater River Run offers a thrilling and challenging adventure for experienced whitewater enthusiasts in Colorado. It is important to follow regulations and respect private property boundaries to ensure that the area remains accessible for future generations to enjoy.
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 Headwaters Of North, Middle And South Forks To Confluence Of South Fork With Encampment River -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Fish Cr At Upper Sta Nr Steamboat Springs | 420 cfs | → |
| Yampa River At Steamboat Springs | 1,020 cfs | → |
| Elk River Near Milner | 1,740 cfs | → |
| Walton Creek Near Steamboat Springs | 295 cfs | → |
| Michigan River At Walden | 38 cfs | → |
| Encampment River Ab Hog Park Cr | 428 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.
Boat launches
Other river runs
- Roaring Fork (West Section Line Sec 28 T9n, R82w); Red Canyon (Nw1/4 Sec 5, T8n, R82w) To East Section Line Sec 34, T9n, R82w
- Lower Fish Creek
- Wy-Co State Line To Encampment River Wilderness Boundary
- Headwaters (Continental Divide) And Its West Fork (From West Fork Lake) To North Section Line, Sec 21, T12n, R84w
- Encampment River Wilderness Boundary To Medicine Bow Nf Boundary
Campgrounds
- Seedhouse Group Campground
- Seedhouse Campground
- Seedhouse
- Seedhouse Guard Station
- Hinman Park Campground
- Hinman 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 Headwaters Of North, Middle And South Forks To Confluence Of South Fork With Encampment 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 Headwaters Of North, Middle And South Forks To Confluence Of South Fork With Encampment River
What's the optimal flow for Headwaters Of North, Middle And South Forks To Confluence Of South Fork With Encampment 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 Headwaters Of North, Middle And South Forks To Confluence Of South Fork With Encampment River.