Paddle Report

Northeast Yellowstone National Park Boundary, Near Cooke City To The Confluence With Lamar River river run

Montana, USA Soda Butte Creek 18.0 mi long Class III-IV
Today high
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Tonight low
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Current flow
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% of normal
67%
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Linked streamgauge
-- cfs
Gauge height
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 Northeast Yellowstone National Park Boundary, Near Cooke City To  The Confluence With Lamar River  -- Montana paddle run
Northeast Yellowstone National Park Boundary, Near Cooke City To The Confluence With Lamar River Montana · Soda Butte Creek
About this run

Northeast Yellowstone National Park Boundary, Near Cooke City To The Confluence With Lamar River

The Whitewater River run in Northeast Yellowstone National Park Boundary near Cooke City to the confluence with Lamar River in Montana is a thrilling rafting experience. The ideal streamflow range for this run is between 600 and 2,000 cfs, which typically occurs between late May and early July. The river is classified as a class III to IV, which requires intermediate to advanced level of experience.

The segment mileage of the Whitewater River run is approximately 8.5 miles, which takes about 2-3 hours to complete. Some of the rapids and obstacles in this river include the Entrance Rapid, Rock Garden, and House Rock. The Entrance Rapid is a class IV rapid that requires precise maneuvering to avoid the large boulders. The Rock Garden is a technical rapid that requires careful navigation through the narrow channels between rocks. The House Rock is a class III rapid that requires paddling through the fast-moving water.

There are specific regulations to the area that visitors must follow, such as obtaining a permit to access the river, carrying a life jacket for each person in the raft, and adhering to a leave-no-trace policy. Additionally, visitors should be aware of the potential hazards in the river, such as cold water temperatures, strong currents, and submerged rocks.

Overall, the Whitewater River run in Northeast Yellowstone National Park Boundary near Cooke City to the confluence with Lamar River in Montana is a challenging and exciting rafting experience for experienced paddlers. It is important to research and follow all regulations and safety measures before embarking on this adventure to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.
StateMontana
RiverSoda Butte Creek
Run length18.0 mi
ClassIII-IV
Elevation7,347 ft
Current flow--
Percent of normal67%
StreamgageUSGS 06187915
Latitude45.0028°
Longitude-110.0018°
Detailed forecast

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.

Hourly detail

Next 5 days, hour by hour

Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.

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Deep dive

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.

TimeConditionTemp (°F)Snow (in)Rain (in)Humidity (%)Wind (mps)Wind dir
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Long-term outlook

15-day temperature & precipitation

Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks -- the upstream story that drives next week's flows.

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Regional flow

Regional streamflow levels

USGS streamgauges around Northeast Yellowstone National Park Boundary, Near Cooke City To The Confluence With Lamar River -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.

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 Northeast Yellowstone National Park Boundary, Near Cooke City To The Confluence With Lamar River 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.

FAQ

About Northeast Yellowstone National Park Boundary, Near Cooke City To The Confluence With Lamar River

What's the optimal flow for Northeast Yellowstone National Park Boundary, Near Cooke City To The Confluence With Lamar River ?

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.