Gnar Section


This is a one mile section upstream from the town of Drake.  It contains class V and V+ rapids.

Suggested river levels for paddling this section of the Big Thompson are between a bare minimum of 200cfs and a high of 700cfs. River conditions sourced from USGS 06707500, the South Platte River At South Platte Remember only watercraft are permitted at Gnar Section.

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Area Hydrology

Gauge Streamflow Stage
Joe Wright Creek Above Joe Wright Reservoir
USGS 06746095 		26 cfs 4.7 ft
Cache La Poudre River At Fort Collins
USGS 06752260 		275 cfs 2.1 ft
Fall River Near Idaho Springs
USGS 06717000 		-888 cfs 4.4 ft
Clear Creek Near Lawson
USGS 06716500 		329 cfs 4.1 ft
Left Hand Creek At Hover Road Near Longmont
USGS 06724970 		6 cfs 5.7 ft
Big Dry Creek At Mouth Near Fort Lupton
USGS 06720990 		10 cfs 3.8 ft
Fraser River Blw Crooked Cr At Tabernash Co
USGS 09033300 		227 cfs 4.1 ft
North Fork Cache La Poudre R. At Livermore
USGS 06751490 		26 cfs 7.3 ft
St. Vrain Creek At Mouth
USGS 06731000 		155 cfs 2.0 ft
S Clear Cr Abv Lwr Cabin Cr Res Spilwy Nr Georgtwn
USGS 06714500 		24 cfs 1.2 ft
Snotel Site Snowpack 24hr Change

Outdoor Recreation

Campground Campsites Reservations Toilets Showers Elevation
Olive Ridge 56 8,361 ft
Lower Narrows 8 6,470 ft
Pinewood Reservoir 22 6,604 ft
Dutch George 20 6,520 ft
Hermit Park Open Space None 8,313 ft
Meadow Park None 5,349 ft
Peaceful Valley 17 8,552 ft
Kelly Flats 29 6,751 ft
Narrows 5 6,470 ft
Stove Prairie 9 6,068 ft
Aspen Meadow - Golden Gate Canyon State Park 35 9,000 ft
Reverends Ridge - Golden Gate State Park 106 9,105 ft
Mountain Park 54 6,678 ft
Kelly Dahl 46 8,615 ft
Jacks Gulch 56 8,100 ft
Camp Dick 41 8,716 ft
Ansel Watrous 16 5,839 ft
Ski Area Snowpack Air Temperature 5 Day Forecast
Ski Estes Park (Hidden Valley) 42" 54° 0"
Echo Mountain Park 18" 52° 0"
Eldora Mountain Resort 24" 54° 0"
River Run Streamflow Length Class
Idledale to Morrison 11.2cfs 3.0 Mi IV+ to V
Upper Narrows 182.0cfs 0.5 Mi V- to V+
Filter Plant 3.92cfs None Mi II to III+
Upper North Fork 27.7cfs 9.0 Mi IV+ to V-
Lower North Fork 182.0cfs 11.0 Mi III
Steven's Gulch to Bridges Take Out 182.0cfs 12.0 Mi III- to IV+
Upper South Boulder Creek 5.0cfs None Mi V+
Lower Boulder Canyon 42.0cfs None Mi IV- to V-
Filter Plant 3.92cfs None Mi II to III+
Upper Clear Creek 60.7cfs 2.5 Mi IV- to IV+
Gnar Section 405.0cfs 1.0 Mi V+
Middle Narrows 182.0cfs 1.0 Mi IV to V-
Main Section 55.3cfs 3.0 Mi IV+ to V
October Hole 37.8cfs None Mi II
Upper South Boulder Creek 5.0cfs None Mi V+
NSV 37.8cfs 13.0 Mi V+
Golden Whitewater Park 3.92cfs 0.75 Mi II+
Rustic (Upper) 182.0cfs 20.0 Mi III to III+
SSV - Confluence to Picnic Grounds 37.8cfs 5.0 Mi V to V+
Lower Narrows 182.0cfs 0.5 Mi V- to V+
Tunnel 1 to Golden Whitewater Park 60.7cfs None Mi III- to III+