Carlton County State Aid Highway #12 Bridge To The Site Of Old Sandstone Hydroelectric Dam river run
Carlton County State Aid Highway #12 Bridge To The Site Of Old Sandstone Hydroelectric Dam
The Whitewater River run is rated as a Class II-III rapids, with some sections reaching a Class IV difficulty level. The river features several rapids and obstacles, including the "Wave", "The Potholes", and "The Pipeline", which offer exciting challenges for experienced paddlers.
Specific regulations for the area include a requirement for a valid Minnesota watercraft registration or a non-resident watercraft permit for all motorized watercraft. Paddlers are also required to wear a personal flotation device (PFD) at all times while on the river.
The Whitewater River run is a popular destination for whitewater enthusiasts seeking a challenging and scenic paddle. It is important to check streamflow levels and weather conditions before embarking on this adventure, as conditions can change rapidly and affect the difficulty of the rapids. Additionally, all paddlers should have the appropriate experience and skills to navigate the rapids safely.
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 Carlton County State Aid Highway #12 Bridge To The Site Of Old Sandstone Hydroelectric Dam -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Kettle River Below Sandstone | 450 cfs | → |
| St. Louis River At Scanlon | 2,410 cfs | → |
| Nemadji River Near South Superior | 652 cfs | → |
| Mississippi River At Aitkin | 1,950 cfs | → |
| St. Croix River Near Danbury | 1,310 cfs | → |
| Snake River Near Pine City | 426 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
- The Site Of Old Sandstone Hydroelectric Dam To The Confluence With St. Croix River
- Upper Saint Louis
- The Boundary Between Logan And Workman Townships In Aitkin County To The Dam Entrance Of The Flood Diversion Channel
- The Discharge Of The Flood Diversion Channel To Riverton
- The Confluence Of The Prairie River To The Boundary Of Logan And Workman Townships
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 Carlton County State Aid Highway #12 Bridge To The Site Of Old Sandstone Hydroelectric Dam 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 Carlton County State Aid Highway #12 Bridge To The Site Of Old Sandstone Hydroelectric Dam
What's the optimal flow for Carlton County State Aid Highway #12 Bridge To The Site Of Old Sandstone Hydroelectric Dam?
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 Carlton County State Aid Highway #12 Bridge To The Site Of Old Sandstone Hydroelectric Dam.