Falls Gulch river run
Falls Gulch
The segment mileage of the Falls Gulch run is approximately 8 miles, with several exciting rapids and obstacles along the way. One of the most notable rapids is called Sledgehammer, which is a class IV rapid with a steep drop and challenging waves. Other notable rapids include The Narrows and The Pinball Machine.
There are specific regulations that apply to this area, including the requirement for all participants to wear a personal flotation device and a helmet. Additionally, all participants must be at least 14 years old and have previous whitewater experience. The Falls Gulch run is also only open from May through July, due to water levels and safety concerns.
Overall, the Whitewater River Run Falls Gulch is a challenging and exciting destination for experienced whitewater enthusiasts in Colorado. It is important to follow all regulations and safety guidelines to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience on the river.
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 Falls Gulch -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas River Near Wellsville | 261 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River At Parkdale | 285 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River At Salida | 233 cfs | → |
| Grape Creek Near Westcliffe | 6 cfs | → |
| Cotton Creek Near Mineral Hot Springs | 9 cfs | → |
| Arkansas River At Canon City | 207 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
- Ahra - Lone Pine Rec Site
- Ahra - Canyon Trading Post
- Ahra - Vallie Bridge Rec Site
- Ahra - Rincon Rec Site
- Us 50 Fremont County
- Ahra - Pinnacle Rock Rec Site
Other river runs
Campgrounds
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 Falls Gulch 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 Falls Gulch
What's the optimal flow for Falls Gulch?
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 Falls Gulch.