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
South Clear Creek Abv Lower Cabin Creek Reservoir
USGS 06714400 		2 cfs 5.1 ft
Clear Creek Near Lawson
USGS 06716500 		24 cfs 2.5 ft
Boulder Creek Near Orodell
USGS 06727000 		8 cfs 2.0 ft
Plum Creek Near Sedalia
USGS 06709000 		17 cfs 3.7 ft
Trout Creek Blw Fern Cr Nr Westcreek
USGS 06701620 		1 cfs 3.8 ft
Little Dry Creek At Westminster
USGS 06719840 		3 cfs 7.3 ft
Fountain Creek At Cascade
USGS 07100300 		3 cfs 3.7 ft
Big Dry Creek At Mouth Near Fort Lupton
USGS 06720990 		25 cfs 4.6 ft
Chicago Creek Blw Devils Canyon Nr Idaho Sprgs Co
USGS 06717400 		-999 cfs -1,310.7 ft
Fall River Near Idaho Springs
USGS 06717000 		-999 cfs -1,310.7 ft
Snotel Site Snowpack 24hr Change
windsor 3.8 wsw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-845 		1.54" -0.16"
wellington 3.7 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-918 		0.6" -0.06"
loveland 3.0 nne, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-104 		3.42" -0.09"
fort collins 0.9 n, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-849 		3.62" -0.05"
georgetown
SNOTEL GEOC2 		3.14" -0.49"
erie 1.7 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-285 		1.9" -0.24"
westminster 1.6 ne, co
SNOTEL CO-AD-153 		2.2" -0.33"
longmont 1.8 e, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-361 		2.08" -0.26"
bellvue 5.9 w, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-4 		2.61" -0.44"
manitou springs 1.2 ese, co
SNOTEL CO-EP-175 		0.11" -0.09"
berthoud
SNOTEL ERTC2 		2.02" -0.14"
boulder 2.0 w, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-380 		3.02" -0.34"
boulder 1.5 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-490 		4.84" -0.37"
boulder 1.8 w, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-491 		2.33" -0.37"
nederland 2.61 nne, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-75 		6.09" -0.82"
lafayette 0.4 wsw, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-8 		1.94" -0.25"
littleton 6.4 w, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-212 		2.33" -0.35"
arvada 4.7 w, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-455 		2.12" -0.15"
estes park 1.8 sse, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-987 		2.68" -0.56"
thornton 2.3 sse, co
SNOTEL CO-AD-22 		1.99" -0.27"
dillon,co
SNOTEL DLLC2 		11.8" -0.15"
aspen springs amrad
SNOTEL ASIC2 		2.99" -0.73"
erie 1.6 ne, co
SNOTEL CO-WE-209 		1.81" -0.18"
rollinsville 1.7 e, co
SNOTEL CO-GL-25 		6.44" -0.69"
boulder 1.6 s, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-14 		2.63" -0.36"
fcl 1.7 se, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-295 		3.71" -0.05"
Phantom Valley
SNOTEL 688 		26" -2"
nederland 4.2 e, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-233 		6.63" -0.9"
aurora south
SNOTEL EAGC2 		1.49" -0.28"
ralston reservoir
SNOTEL GDNC2 		2.64" -0.04"
south platte river
SNOTEL ANTC2 		0.36" -0.04"
lafayette 2.5 nw, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-222 		2.39" -0.28"
woodland park 1.1 nnw, co
SNOTEL CO-TL-28 		0.35" -0.27"
Hoosier Pass
SNOTEL 531 		34" -1"
denver 6.1 wsw, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-3 		2.6" -0.39"
fcl 2.55 ne, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-340 		1.17" -0.03"
evergreen 4.2 sse, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-157 		3.15" -0.57"
nederland 4.8 ene, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-110 		7.64" -0.8"
castle rock 1.7 ssw, co
SNOTEL CO-DG-62 		1.2" -0.28"
fort collins 2.8 wsw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-75 		3.8" -0.05"
firestone
SNOTEL FSNC2 		1.5" -0.13"
denver/stapleton
SNOTEL DUAC2 		1.81" -0.24"
Black Mountain
SNOTEL 1161 		30" 1"
denver 2.6 ssw, co
SNOTEL CO-DN-231 		1.45" -0.27"
Sawtooth
SNOTEL 1251 		57" -1"
estes park 1.8 s, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-767 		7.3" -0.42"
cripple creek,co
SNOTEL CRIC2 		1.52" -0.19"
denver 1.1 ne, co
SNOTEL CO-DN-280 		1.5" -0.24"
fcl 2.2 nw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-273 		2.83" -0.08"
evergreen
SNOTEL EVGC2 		3.35" -0.53"
boulder 1.9 se, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-30 		2.65" -0.37"
windsor 3.0 sse, co
SNOTEL CO-WE-507 		1.78" -0.1"
boulder 4.7 ene, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-220 		2.96" -0.38"
loveland 2.8 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-1109 		4.91" -0.12"
fort collins 4.9 n, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-1020 		2.06" -0.08"
erie 1.5 nne, co
SNOTEL CO-WE-511 		1.93" -0.2"
cheyenne wfo
SNOTEL CYSW4 		1" -2"
red feather 5.9 ne, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-329 		0.51" -0.62"
fort collins
SNOTEL FORC2 		3.49" -0.04"
fort lupton 7.4 nw, co
SNOTEL CO-WE-326 		1.52" -0.13"
tabernash 2.7 nw, co
SNOTEL CO-GR-68 		18.59" -0.21"
monument 2.1 ene, co
SNOTEL CO-EP-17 		1.03" -0.27"
monument 3s
SNOTEL DMDC2 		1.04" -0.29"
longmont 8.2 ese, co
SNOTEL CO-WE-203 		3.2" -0.09"
fort collins 3.4 n, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-653 		1.17" -0.03"
virginia dale 7.2 ssw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-672 		0.16" -0.47"
fort collins 5.5 s, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-1100 		3.47" -0.1"
grant
SNOTEL GRTC2 		1.92" -0.29"
laramie 7sse
SNOTEL CMBW4 		3.3" -0.2"
lafayette 0.8 wsw, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-266 		1.96" -0.24"
boulder 2.9 s, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-4 		2.63" -0.37"
lafayette 2.3 nw, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-290 		2.28" -0.28"
evergreen 2.0 ese, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-395 		3" -0.53"
longmont 2.1 n, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-143 		3.16" -0.16"
jamestown 2.5 sse, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-343 		3.21" -0.64"
Berthoud Summit
SNOTEL 335 		38" 0"
loveland 2.4 nw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-676 		4.73" -0.09"
arvada 3.8 w, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-240 		2.02" -0.19"
nederland 3.7 ene, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-296 		8.84" -0.66"
fort collins 3.7 s, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-885 		2.97" -0.09"
evergreen 5 w, co
SNOTEL CO-CC-2 		3.01" -0.57"
niwot 2.3 w, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-248 		4.41" -0.18"
Copeland Lake
SNOTEL 412 		25" -2"
colorado springs 5.7 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-EP-37 		0.29" -0.12"
loveland 2.7 e, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-687 		3.09" -0.09"
gross reservoir
SNOTEL GRRC2 		4.45" -0.85"
fort collins 4.6 n, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-762 		0.95" -0.07"
erie 0.5 se, co
SNOTEL CO-WE-392 		1.96" -0.23"
berthoud 4.4 wsw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-922 		3.46" -0.14"
bailey
SNOTEL BLYC2 		1.63" -0.28"
Wild Basin
SNOTEL 1042 		42" 0"
Michigan Creek
SNOTEL 937 		28" 0"
longmont 5.1 e, co
SNOTEL CO-WE-302 		1.66" -0.16"
dillon 2.3 se, co
SNOTEL CO-SU-16 		15.54" -0.17"
laramie 1se
SNOTEL ADFW4 		2.63" -0.1"
denver 8 ssw, co
SNOTEL CO-DN-30 		1.9" -0.27"
fort collins 2.8 w, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-1009 		4.3" -0.04"
estes park 10.5 se, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-1019 		4.69" -0.5"
divide 4nw
SNOTEL DNWC2 		0.62" -0.26"
denver 3.2 sse, co
SNOTEL CO-DN-49 		1.61" -0.3"
fort collins 4.2 s, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-758 		4.53" -0.06"
parker 2.1 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-DG-146 		1.43" -0.28"
lakewood 1.7 sw, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-333 		2.77" -0.41"
highlands ranch 0.6 sse, co
SNOTEL CO-DG-176 		2.13" -0.38"
wellington 0.4 nw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-952 		0.84" -0.06"
gleneagle 0.4 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-EP-61 		0.31" -0.22"
buford 4se
SNOTEL BFDW4 		1.12" -0.57"
lov 3.4 s, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-472 		4.79" -0.09"
denver 0.4 e, co
SNOTEL CO-DN-175 		1.49" -0.24"
cheesman
SNOTEL CHEC2 		1.77" -0.19"
Rawah
SNOTEL 1032 		26" -1"
fcl 3.0 sw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-391 		4.53" -0.06"
glen haven 1.2 n, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-868 		3.38" -0.49"
fcl 7.9 ene, co
SNOTEL CO-WE-250 		0.67" -0.04"
fcl 5.6 e, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-393 		2.21" -0.05"
nederland 5.8 e, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-57 		8.83" -0.93"
Hayden Pass
SNOTEL 1102 		12" 0"
Joe Wright
SNOTEL 551 		53" 0"
broomfield 2.3 ssw, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-72 		1.98" -0.25"
Echo Lake
SNOTEL 936 		13" 0"
allens park 1.5 ese, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-22 		12.8" -0.81"
amrad
SNOTEL CNRC2 		3.51" -0.63"
lyons 0.3 nne, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-146 		3.1" -0.22"
longmont 3.0 sw, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-435 		2.52" -0.32"
nederland 0.4 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-322 		8.42" -0.59"
conifer 5.7 sw, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-222 		1.47" -0.32"
loveland 2.3 nw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-854 		4.73" -0.09"
estes park 1.7 w, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-1115 		9.21" -0.48"
greeley 4.6 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-WE-318 		1.68" -0.07"
co st forest st park
SNOTEL CSFC2 		19.18" -0.23"
wheat ridge 0.9 wsw, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-343 		1.99" -0.28"
englewood #2
SNOTEL ENLC2 		1.95" -0.29"
fcl 2.3 nw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-311 		1.15" -0.09"
aurora 4.2 nnw, co
SNOTEL CO-AD-127 		2" -0.27"
evergreen 1.3 nne, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-424 		3.41" -0.5"
Niwot
SNOTEL 663 		34" 0"
boulder 2.1 w, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-437 		2.33" -0.37"
boulder 4.7 e, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-67 		2.56" -0.31"
Hourglass Lake
SNOTEL 1122 		32" 3"
fort collins 9.6 se, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-630 		3.47" -0.09"
golden 12.5 nw, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-331 		8.23" -1.15"
denver 2.1 ese, co
SNOTEL CO-DN-25 		1.47" -0.27"
loveland 1.5 n, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-40 		4.91" -0.11"
thornton 2.1 n, co
SNOTEL CO-AD-100 		2.16" -0.3"
Crow Creek
SNOTEL 1045 		16" 0"
University Camp
SNOTEL 838 		42" 1"
High Lonesome
SNOTEL 1187 		51" 2"
rollinsville 1.1 ssw, co
SNOTEL CO-GL-17 		12.12" -0.67"
fairplay 2.7 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-PK-15 		7.6" -0.24"
highlands ranch 1.1 ene, co
SNOTEL CO-DG-165 		2.16" -0.37"
Loveland Basin
SNOTEL 602 		43" 0"
highlands ranch 2.5 ssw, co
SNOTEL CO-DG-178 		2.67" -0.41"
littleton 6.0 w, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-376 		2.7" -0.34"
florissant 5.0 n, co
SNOTEL CO-TL-19 		1.29" -0.42"
longmont 3.3 sw, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-507 		2.55" -0.31"
fort collins 1.1 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-863 		3.31" -0.03"
niwot 0.7 nnw, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-338 		2.83" -0.37"
estes park 3.3 ssw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-247 		2.79" -0.63"
Bear Lake
SNOTEL 322 		41" -1"
la porte 10.0 nnw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-567 		0.66" -0.17"
lake george 7.2 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-PK-39 		0.21" -0.26"
hygiene,co
SNOTEL HGIC2 		1.81" -0.22"
livermore 9.9 wsw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-897 		1.06" -0.6"
evergreen 3.4 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-CC-22 		3.04" -0.59"
fort collins 5.4 wsw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-623 		1.87" -0.26"
westminster 2.3 sse, co
SNOTEL CO-AD-225 		2.3" -0.34"
carr 0.6 s, co
SNOTEL CO-WE-127 		0.3" -0.09"
ward 4.6 ne, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-202 		11.51" -0.8"
conifer 3.2 sw, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-53 		3.41" -0.48"
arvada 3.5 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-457 		1.99" -0.19"
Jones Pass
SNOTEL 970 		37" 0"
Roach
SNOTEL 718 		45" 0"
lakewood 2.2 ese, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-179 		2.49" -0.36"
Middle Fork Camp
SNOTEL 1014 		26" 1"
boulder 2.2 nw, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-452 		2.31" -0.36"
cabin creek
SNOTEL GCRC2 		13.32" -0.59"
boulder 1.5 nnw, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-496 		2.45" -0.35"
fcl 3.0 w, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-284 		3.51" -0.03"
parker 3.5 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-DG-292 		1.39" -0.26"
fcl 1.7 sw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-320 		4.69" -0.05"
fort collins 1.2 nne, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-1137 		2.72" -0.03"
wheat ridge 2.8 wsw, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-290 		1.88" -0.3"
laporte 1.4 nw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-761 		1.1" -0.06"
Lake Eldora
SNOTEL 564 		30" 0"
Willow Park
SNOTEL 870 		47" -2"
Glen Cove
SNOTEL 1057 		7" -2"
estes park,co
SNOTEL ETSC2 		3.29" -0.49"
longmont 1.8 ene, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-352 		2.07" -0.25"
evergreen 6.5 wsw, co
SNOTEL CO-CC-1 		3.26" -0.56"
wellington 0.8 sw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-1008 		0.86" -0.05"
highlands ranch 3.2 ese, co
SNOTEL CO-DG-74 		1.45" -0.28"
Deadman Hill
SNOTEL 438 		49" 1"
black forest 6wnw
SNOTEL BKFC2 		0.15" -0.2"
erie 1.7 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-455 		1.97" -0.23"
fort collins 3.9 nne, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-112 		5.28" -0.04"
lyons 4.8 n, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-50 		5.01" -0.21"
arvada 2.1 sse, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-427 		2.11" -0.31"
broomfield 3.2 nne, co
SNOTEL CO-BR-32 		2.03" -0.24"
englewood 1.4 n, co
SNOTEL CO-AR-292 		1.59" -0.22"

Outdoor Recreation

Campground Campsites Reservations Toilets Showers Elevation
Meeker Park Overflow 29 8,611 ft
Olive Ridge 56 8,361 ft
Cold Springs 38 9,331 ft
Deer Creek 13 9,092 ft
Kelly Dahl 46 8,615 ft
Meridian 18 9,013 ft
Rainbow Lakes 16 9,961 ft
Reverends Ridge - Golden Gate State Park 106 9,105 ft
Camp Dick 41 8,716 ft
Marys Lake - USBR 270 8,032 ft
Hermit Park Open Space None 8,313 ft
Peaceful Valley 17 8,552 ft
Longs Peak - Rocky Mountain National Park 26 9,397 ft
Aspen Meadow - Golden Gate Canyon State Park 35 9,000 ft
Pawnee 55 10,354 ft
Ski Area Snowpack Air Temperature 5 Day Forecast
Echo Mountain Park 13" 14° 1.37"
Ski Estes Park (Hidden Valley) 41" 17° 1.58"
Eldora Mountain Resort 30" 17° 1.39"
River Run Streamflow Length Class
Tunnel 1 to Golden Whitewater Park 30.6cfs None Mi III- to III+
Gnar Section 187.0cfs 1.0 Mi V+
Rustic (Upper) 54.5cfs 20.0 Mi III to III+
Upper Narrows 54.5cfs 0.5 Mi V- to V+
Middle Narrows 54.5cfs 1.0 Mi IV to V-
Filter Plant 3.92cfs None Mi II to III+
Steven's Gulch to Bridges Take Out 54.5cfs 12.0 Mi III- to IV+
Filter Plant 3.92cfs None Mi II to III+
Idledale to Morrison 20.5cfs 3.0 Mi IV+ to V
Upper Clear Creek 30.6cfs 2.5 Mi IV- to IV+
Lower Boulder Canyon 40.2cfs None Mi IV- to V-
NSV 10.7cfs 13.0 Mi V+
Main Section 47.8cfs 3.0 Mi IV+ to V
Upper South Boulder Creek 5.57cfs None Mi V+
Golden Whitewater Park 3.92cfs 0.75 Mi II+
October Hole 10.7cfs None Mi II
Lower Narrows 54.5cfs 0.5 Mi V- to V+
SSV - Confluence to Picnic Grounds 10.7cfs 5.0 Mi V to V+
Upper South Boulder Creek 5.57cfs None Mi V+