Beaverhead River river run
Beaverhead River
There are several rapids and obstacles to be aware of during the Beaverhead River run, including the "Stuarts Hole" and "Lone Pine Rapid." "Stuarts Hole" is a class III-IV rapid, which requires precise navigation through a tight channel with a large boulder in the center. "Lone Pine Rapid" is a class III drop with a large rock formation in the middle of the channel that requires a careful approach.
There are specific regulations to the area that must be followed when navigating the Beaverhead River. All boaters must have a Montana fishing license, and all watercraft must be registered with the state of Montana. Additionally, there are specific regulations regarding the use of motorized watercraft, so it is important to check with local authorities before planning a trip.
Overall, the Beaverhead River is a beautiful and challenging whitewater run that attracts many visitors each year. It is important to be aware of the ideal streamflow range, class rating, segment mileage, specific river rapids/obstacles, and regulations to the area when planning a trip.
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 Beaverhead River -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Beaverhead River At Barretts Mt | 521 cfs | → |
| Beaverhead River At Dillon Mt | 116 cfs | → |
| Beaverhead River Near Twin Bridges Mt | 102 cfs | → |
| Big Hole River Near Glen Mt | 1,590 cfs | → |
| Big Hole River Near Melrose Mt | 1,630 cfs | → |
| Ruby River Ab Reservoir Nr Alder Mt | 133 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
Campgrounds
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 Beaverhead 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.
About Beaverhead River
What's the optimal flow for Beaverhead 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.
Other runs near here
Snoflo-tracked paddle runs within driving distance of Beaverhead River.