Thompson Creek river run
Thompson Creek
The run is approximately 12 miles long and is broken up into two main sections. The upper section is about 6 miles long and has continuous rapids with some technical maneuvers required. The lower section is less steep and has larger waves and holes. There are several named rapids on the river, including "Pinball," "T-Bone," and "S-Turn."
One of the challenges of this run is the number of downed trees and strainers, which can create dangerous obstacles. It's important to scout the river before starting the run and to be aware of any potential hazards.
Specific regulations for the area include a required permit for overnight camping, as well as regulations on fire use and human waste management. It's important to follow Leave No Trace principles and to respect private property along the river.
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 Thompson Creek -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Thompson Creek Nr Clayton Id | 51 cfs | → |
| Squaw Creek Bl Bruno Creek Nr Clayton Id | 95 cfs | → |
| Yankee Fork Salmon River Nr Clayton Id | 850 cfs | → |
| Salmon River Bl Yankee Fork Nr Clayton Id | 3,050 cfs | → |
| Valley Creek At Stanley Id | 561 cfs | → |
| Pahsimeroi River At Ellis Id | 235 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
Other river runs
- Torreys To East Fork
- Squaw Creek
- Salmon River
- Headwaters To Sawtooth Nf Boundary
- Headwaters To Confluence With Salmon River
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 Thompson 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 Thompson Creek
What's the optimal flow for Thompson 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 Thompson Creek.