Nf Blackfoot Headwaters, Sec. 34, T18n, R9w To Main North Fork Trailhead, Sec. 27, T16n, R11w river run
Nf Blackfoot Headwaters, Sec. 34, T18n, R9w To Main North Fork Trailhead, Sec. 27, T16n, R11w
The river features several challenging rapids, including the notorious "Wall," which requires paddlers to navigate a narrow channel between two large boulders. Other notable rapids include "Triple Bridges," "Washer Woman," and "Pipeline." The river also has several dangerous strainers and log jams that require careful attention and skill to navigate.
Specific regulations for this area require all paddlers to wear a personal flotation device and carry a whistle. Boaters must also follow Leave No Trace principles and obtain a permit from the US Forest Service. Additionally, motorized watercraft are prohibited on this section of 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 Nf Blackfoot Headwaters, Sec. 34, T18n, R9w To Main North Fork Trailhead, Sec. 27, T16n, R11w -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nf Blackfoot R Ab Dry Gulch Nr Ovando Mt | 809 cfs | → |
| Blackfoot R Ab Nevada Cr Nr Helmville Mt | 790 cfs | → |
| Nevada Cr Ab Reservoir | 27 cfs | → |
| Clark Fork Near Drummond Mt | 610 cfs | → |
| South Fork Sun River Near Augusta Mt | 632 cfs | → |
| Flint Creek Near Drummond Mt | 15 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
- Dry Fork Headwaters, Sec. 30, T17n, R10w To Mainstem, Sec. 30, T17n, R10w
- Cabin Creek Headwaters, Sec. 13, T17n, R10w To Dry Fork, Sec. 13, T17n, R11w
- Canyon Creek Headwaters, Sec. 28, T17n, R11w To Dry Creek, Sec. 11, T17n, R11w
- Dwight Creek, Sec. 12, T17n, R12w To Dry Creek, Sec. 3, T17n, R11w
- Cooney Cr Headwaters, Sec. 17, T19n, R9w To Mainstem, Sec. 1, T17n, R10w
Campgrounds
- Big Nelson Complex
- Big Nelson Campground
- Monture Creek
- Monture Creek Campground
- Monture Guard Station Cabin
- Harry Morgan Fas
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 Nf Blackfoot Headwaters, Sec. 34, T18n, R9w To Main North Fork Trailhead, Sec. 27, T16n, R11w 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 Nf Blackfoot Headwaters, Sec. 34, T18n, R9w To Main North Fork Trailhead, Sec. 27, T16n, R11w
What's the optimal flow for Nf Blackfoot Headwaters, Sec. 34, T18n, R9w To Main North Fork Trailhead, Sec. 27, T16n, R11w?
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 Nf Blackfoot Headwaters, Sec. 34, T18n, R9w To Main North Fork Trailhead, Sec. 27, T16n, R11w.