Buffalo River Springs To Confluence With Elk Creek river run
Buffalo River Springs To Confluence With Elk Creek
It is important to note that this section of the Whitewater River is only open for rafting during the spring and early summer months, typically from April to June. Additionally, all rafters must obtain a permit to access the river. There are also specific regulations regarding group size and gear requirements. All rafters are required to wear a personal flotation device (PFD) at all times while on the river.
Overall, the Buffalo River Springs to Confluence With Elk Creek segment of the Whitewater River is a challenging and exciting adventure for experienced whitewater enthusiasts. It is important to be well-prepared and to follow all regulations and safety guidelines to ensure a successful and enjoyable trip.
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 Buffalo River Springs To Confluence With Elk Creek -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Henrys Fork Nr Island Park Id | 490 cfs | → |
| Henrys Fork Blw Coffee Pot Rapids Nr Macks Inn Id | 372 cfs | → |
| Big Springs At Big Springs Id | 128 cfs | → |
| Henrys Fork Nr Lake Id | 8 cfs | → |
| Red Rock Cr Ab Lakes Nr Lakeview Mt | 50 cfs | → |
| Madison River Near West Yellowstone Mt | 430 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
- Forest Road 413 Fremont County
- Fremont County
- Island Park Boating Site
- Mccrea Road Fremont County
- Big Springs Boating Launch
- Old Highway Island Park
Other river runs
- Elk Creek To Slackwater Of Ponds Power Dam
- Box Canyon
- Coffee Pot Campground To Mccrea's Bridge
- Big Springs To Coffee Pot Campground
- Coffee Pot
Campgrounds
- Buffalo Campground
- Mccrea Bridge
- Box Canyon Campground
- Mccrea Bridge Campground
- Upper Coffee Pot
- Upper Coffeepot Campground
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 Buffalo River Springs To Confluence With Elk Creek 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 Buffalo River Springs To Confluence With Elk Creek
What's the optimal flow for Buffalo River Springs To Confluence With Elk Creek?
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 Buffalo River Springs To Confluence With Elk Creek.