Marble Canyon, Colo. River Segment 2 river run
Marble Canyon, Colo. River Segment 2
The Marble Canyon section is approximately 25 miles long, starting at the BLM public access point near Kremmling and ending at State Bridge. Along this stretch of river, paddlers encounter several notable rapids and obstacles, including Eye of the Needle, a Class IV rapid that requires precise navigation through a narrow channel. Other notable rapids include Yarmony Rapid, a Class III+ rapid that features a large wave train and several technical moves, and Upper and Lower Beaver Falls, which offer thrilling drops and hydraulics.
In addition to the rapids, paddlers must be aware of specific regulations in the area. Permits are required for commercial trips, and all boaters must abide by Leave No Trace ethics to preserve the natural beauty of the area. Paddlers should also be aware of private property boundaries and respect them while navigating the river.
Overall, the Marble Canyon section of the Colorado River provides an exciting whitewater experience for paddlers seeking Class III and IV rapids. With challenging obstacles and beautiful scenery, this river run is a must-visit for experienced whitewater enthusiasts.
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 Marble Canyon, Colo. River Segment 2 -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado River Near Colorado-Utah State Line | 2,440 cfs | → |
| Dolores River Near Cisco | 114 cfs | → |
| Colorado River Near Cisco | 2,660 cfs | → |
| Dolores River Near Gateway | 106 cfs | → |
| Castle Creek Below Castle Valley Near Moab | 4 cfs | → |
| Gunnison River Near Grand Junction | 921 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
- Westwater Grand County
- Westwater Ranger Station
- Boat Launch Road Grand County
- Cisco Takeout
- Grand County
- Dewey Bridge Recreation Site
Other river runs
- Little Dolores, Colo. River Segment 2
- Star Canyon, Colo. River Segment 2
- Colorado River
- Colorado River Segment 2
- Westwater
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 Marble Canyon, Colo. River Segment 2 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 Marble Canyon, Colo. River Segment 2
What's the optimal flow for Marble Canyon, Colo. River Segment 2?
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 Marble Canyon, Colo. River Segment 2.