Paddle Report

Upper Saint Louis river run

Nonesnoflofeature/Snoflo:/Feature, USA Saint Louis River 4.5 mi long Class II+ TO IV
Today high
--
Tonight low
--
Current flow
--
% of normal
34%
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Linked streamgauge
-- cfs
Gauge height
--
Optimal low
300cfs
Optimal high
50,000cfs
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Upper Saint Louis -- Nonesnoflofeature/Snoflo:/Feature paddle run
Upper Saint Louis Nonesnoflofeature/Snoflo:/Feature · Saint Louis River
About this run

Upper Saint Louis

The Upper St. Louis River run in Minnesota is a challenging Class III-IV river run that offers thrilling rapids and scenic views. The river obstacles include boulder gardens, narrow chutes, and standing waves. It is best to float this section of water in the late spring or early summer when the water levels are high, with a recommended flow of 800-1200 cfs. This section is not recommended for beginners and requires experienced paddlers with proper gear and safety precautions. The Upper St. Louis River run is an exhilarating adventure for those seeking a challenging and rewarding river run.
StateNonesnoflofeature/Snoflo:/Feature
RiverSaint Louis River
Run length4.5 mi
ClassII+ TO IV
Optimal range300 — 50,000 cfs
Current flow--
Percent of normal34%
StreamgageUSGS 04024000
Latitude46.7056°
Longitude-92.4226°
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 Upper Saint Louis -- 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 Upper Saint Louis 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 Upper Saint Louis

What's the optimal flow for Upper Saint Louis?

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.

Premium feature

Favorites and custom alerts are part of Snoflo Premium. Save runs, set discharge thresholds, and get push notifications when flows hit your window.

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Manage alerts in the Snoflo app

Custom push alerts are configured in the iOS app -- favorite this run, set a discharge threshold (e.g. "alert me at 600 cfs"), and you'll get a push the moment the gauge crosses.

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