Missouri State Highway 17 To Fort Leonard Wood (Army Base) river run
Community Reviews
Been here? Share the conditions.
Reviews, ratings & photos are added in the free Snoflo iOS app — rate a spot, tag the conditions, and your visit is verified by location. Add or manage your reviews from the app.
Missouri State Highway 17 To Fort Leonard Wood (Army Base)
The Washing Machine Rapid is a Class III rapid where the river channels through a narrow chute and sends kayakers and rafts spinning in circles. The Roller Coaster Rapid is also a Class III rapid with a series of drops and waves that make it a thrilling ride. Finally, the Skunk Rapid is a Class IV rapid that should only be attempted by experienced kayakers and rafters.
There are specific regulations that apply to this area. For example, all kayakers and rafters must wear a personal flotation device (PFD) at all times. Additionally, no littering or camping is allowed along the riverbanks. The Army base also imposes certain restrictions, including limited access during training exercises.
In conclusion, the Whitewater River Run from Missouri State Highway 17 to Fort Leonard Wood is a popular destination for intermediate-level kayakers and rafters. The ideal streamflow range is between 300 to 600 cfs, and the segment is approximately 12 miles long. Specific river rapids and obstacles include the Washing Machine, Roller Coaster, and Skunk Rapid. Finally, there are specific regulations that apply to this area, including wearing a PFD at all times and no littering or camping along the riverbanks.
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 Missouri State Highway 17 To Fort Leonard Wood (Army Base) -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Big Piney River Near Big Piney | 1,600 cfs | → |
| Big Piney Below Ft. Leonard Wood | 1,760 cfs | → |
| Roubidoux Creek Above Ft. Leonard Wood | 136 cfs | → |
| Gasconade River At Jerome | 17,300 cfs | → |
| Little Piney Creek At Newburg | 181 cfs | → |
| Gasconade River Near Hazelgreen | 6,780 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
- Crossroads Access
- Lake Drive Texas County
- Logan Road Pulaski County
- Mason Road Texas County
- Running River Drive Pulaski County
- Dawn Road Laclede County
Other river runs
- Northern Boundary Of Fort Leonard Wood To North Section Line Of Sec 31, T36n, R10w
- County Highway O, Laclede, County, Missouri To Ozark Spring
- Western Edge Of Ozark National Scenic Riverways To Confluence With Alley Spring (Branch)
- State Highway 49 Bridge Near Dillard, Missouri To Forest Boundary In Sections 13/24, T38n, R3w
- Confluence With Alley Spring (Branch) To Confluence With Current River (Does Not Include River Segment In Gap Between Parkland Units)
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 Missouri State Highway 17 To Fort Leonard Wood (Army Base) 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 Missouri State Highway 17 To Fort Leonard Wood (Army Base)
What's the optimal flow for Missouri State Highway 17 To Fort Leonard Wood (Army Base)?
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 Missouri State Highway 17 To Fort Leonard Wood (Army Base).