Upper South Boulder Creek


USB is a short class V wilderness run near Boulder infamous for its ability to destroy boaters.  For some local hair boaters, this is their backyard training run.  For others, it's a run they contemplate stepping up to from the comfort of their living room in the off season, only to be forgotten about while spending the spring running Clear Creek.  For most boaters, it's one they gawk at in the guide book on their way to run Brown's Canyon.

Suggested river levels for paddling this section of the South Boulder Creek are between a bare minimum of 250cfs and a high of 800cfs. River conditions sourced from USGS 06730200, the Boulder Cr At North 75th St Nr Boulder Remember only watercraft are permitted at Upper South Boulder Creek.

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Area Hydrology

Gauge Streamflow Stage
Colorado River Near Granby
USGS 09019500 		56 cfs 1.4 ft
South Platte River At South Platte
USGS 06707500 		588 cfs 3.3 ft
St. Louis Creek Near Fraser
USGS 09026500 		10 cfs 1.4 ft
St Vrain Cr Blw Boulder Cr At Hwy 119 Nr Longmont
USGS 06730525 		78 cfs 9.6 ft
Clear Creek Near Lawson
USGS 06716500 		44 cfs 2.7 ft
Bear Creek At Morrison
USGS 06710500 		15 cfs 5.7 ft
Straight Cr Blw Laskey Gulch Nr Dillon
USGS 09051050 		5 cfs 4.1 ft
Left Hand Creek Near Boulder
USGS 06724500 		10 cfs 0.4 ft
Leavenworth Creek @ Mouth Nr Georgetown
USGS 06714800 		4 cfs 3.6 ft
Williams Canyon Abv Mouth Near Manitou Springs
USGS 07103100 		0 cfs 3.6 ft
Snotel Site Snowpack 24hr Change
Crow Creek
SNOTEL 1045 		1" 1"
Rawah
SNOTEL 1032 		6" 0"
Black Mountain
SNOTEL 1161 		1" 1"
Hoosier Pass
SNOTEL 531 		1" 0"
Lake Irene
SNOTEL 565 		1" 0"
Never Summer
SNOTEL 1031 		1" 0"
Loveland Basin
SNOTEL 602 		1" 1"
Echo Lake
SNOTEL 936 		1" 0"
Stillwater Creek
SNOTEL 793 		1" 1"
Jackwhacker Gulch
SNOTEL 935 		1" 1"

Outdoor Recreation

Campground Campsites Reservations Toilets Showers Elevation
Hermit Park Open Space None 8,313 ft
Peaceful Valley 17 8,552 ft
Olive Ridge 56 8,361 ft
Camp Dick 41 8,716 ft
Pawnee 55 10,354 ft
Marys Lake - USBR 270 8,032 ft
Reverends Ridge - Golden Gate State Park 106 9,105 ft
Cold Springs 38 9,331 ft
Rainbow Lakes 16 9,961 ft
Kelly Dahl 46 8,615 ft
Meridian 18 9,013 ft
Deer Creek 13 9,092 ft
Meeker Park Overflow 29 8,611 ft
Aspen Meadow - Golden Gate Canyon State Park 35 9,000 ft
Longs Peak - Rocky Mountain National Park 26 9,397 ft
Ski Area Snowpack Air Temperature 5 Day Forecast
Eldora Mountain Resort -1" 66° 0"
Ski Estes Park (Hidden Valley) -1" 65° 0"
Echo Mountain Park 1" 61° 0"
River Run Streamflow Length Class
Lower Boulder Canyon 13.7cfs None Mi IV- to V-
Upper South Boulder Creek 26.6cfs None Mi V+
Filter Plant 2.85cfs None Mi II to III+
SSV - Confluence to Picnic Grounds 17.4cfs 5.0 Mi V to V+
Golden Whitewater Park 2.85cfs 0.75 Mi II+
Tunnel 1 to Golden Whitewater Park 74.7cfs None Mi III- to III+
NSV 17.4cfs 13.0 Mi V+
Upper Clear Creek 74.7cfs 2.5 Mi IV- to IV+
Upper South Boulder Creek 26.6cfs None Mi V+
Filter Plant 2.85cfs None Mi II to III+
Gnar Section 588.0cfs 1.0 Mi V+
Main Section 7.98cfs 3.0 Mi IV+ to V
Rustic (Upper) 76.7cfs 20.0 Mi III to III+
October Hole 17.4cfs None Mi II
Steven's Gulch to Bridges Take Out 76.7cfs 12.0 Mi III- to IV+
Idledale to Morrison 8.83cfs 3.0 Mi IV+ to V
Middle Narrows 76.7cfs 1.0 Mi IV to V-
Lower Narrows 76.7cfs 0.5 Mi V- to V+
Upper Narrows 76.7cfs 0.5 Mi V- to V+