Saltado Creek river run
Saltado Creek
The Saltado Creek has a total segment mileage of approximately 11 miles, with the lower section running from Bonanza Bridge to Howard Ranch being the most popular. The lower section of the river has several notable rapids and obstacles, including the popular "Entrada" rapid, which is a Class IV drop that requires precise maneuvering.
Specific regulations to the area include the requirement for all boaters to wear a personal flotation device (PFD) and to carry a whistle and a rescue rope. Additionally, boaters are prohibited from littering or disturbing the natural environment.
In conclusion, the Saltado Creek in Colorado is a thrilling whitewater river run that offers challenging rapids and obstacles for experienced kayakers and rafters. With an ideal streamflow range of 300-800 cfs, a class rating of III-IV, and a total segment mileage of approximately 11 miles, the Saltado Creek is a popular destination for adventure seekers. Boaters should be aware of specific regulations to the area, including the requirement for PFDs and carrying a whistle and rescue rope.
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 Saltado Creek -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| San Miguel River Near Placerville | 413 cfs | → |
| South Fork San Miguel River Near Ophir | 76 cfs | → |
| Dallas Creek Near Ridgway | 0 cfs | → |
| Dolores River Below Rico | 332 cfs | → |
| Uncompahgre River Near Ouray | 292 cfs | → |
| Uncompahgre River Near Ridgway | 250 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
Campgrounds
Fishing spots
- Woods Lake
- Miramonte Reservoir (Dan Noble Swa)
- Sheep Corrals Fishing Site
- Groundhog Reservoir
- Ridgway Reservoir
- Andrews Lake Swa
Parks
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 Saltado 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 Saltado Creek
What's the optimal flow for Saltado 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 Saltado Creek.