Lake Fork--Confluence With South Fork To 1 Mile Below Town Of Platoro river run
Lake Fork--Confluence With South Fork To 1 Mile Below Town Of Platoro
This section of the river is rated as a Class III-IV, with several challenging rapids and obstacles, including the "Wall," "Hell's Hole," and "Disaster Falls." The segment mileage is approximately 17 miles and takes around 4-6 hours to complete depending on the water level.
Regulations for this section of the river include mandatory PFDs (personal flotation devices) for all passengers, and a limit of one boat per designated campsite. This is to ensure that the natural ecosystem is preserved and protected from overuse.
Overall, the Whitewater River Run from Lake Fork to Confluence with South Fork to 1 Mile Below Town of Platoro is a thrilling and challenging experience for experienced whitewater paddlers, and it is essential to adhere to the regulations put in place to protect the environment and ensure safety.
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 Lake Fork--Confluence With South Fork To 1 Mile Below Town Of Platoro -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Conejos River Below Platoro Reservoir | 305 cfs | → |
| Alamosa River Above Terrace Reservoir | 317 cfs | → |
| Alamosa River Above Wightman Fork Near Jasper | -999 cfs | → |
| Wightman Fork At Mouth Near Jasper | 3 cfs | → |
| Alamosa River Below Terrace Reservoir | 209 cfs | → |
| La Jara Creek At Gallegos Ranch | 7 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.
Other river runs
- South Fork--Sec 19, T35n, R4e To Sec 36, T35n, R4 1/2e
- Sec 17, T35n, R4e To Sec 36, T35n, R4e
- Middle Fork--Sec 13, T35n, R2e To Confluence Of Three Forks--Sec 14, T35n, R3e
- El Rito Azul--Blue Lake (Sec 26, T35n, R3e) And Portion Of Conejos Above Platoro Reservoir To Upper Reach Of Platoro Reservoir--Sec 6, T35n, R4e
- North Fork--Sec 8, T35n, R2e To Confluence With Middle Fork
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 Lake Fork--Confluence With South Fork To 1 Mile Below Town Of Platoro 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 Lake Fork--Confluence With South Fork To 1 Mile Below Town Of Platoro
What's the optimal flow for Lake Fork--Confluence With South Fork To 1 Mile Below Town Of Platoro?
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 Lake Fork--Confluence With South Fork To 1 Mile Below Town Of Platoro.