Cheney Creek river run
Cheney Creek
In addition to the challenging rapids, there are also specific regulations to be aware of when paddling the Cheney Creek section. The river is managed by the Bureau of Land Management, and permits are required for all trips. Groups are limited to a maximum of 12 people, and all visitors must practice Leave No Trace principles to protect the environment.
Overall, the Cheney Creek section of the Whitewater River is an exciting and challenging run for experienced kayakers. It is important to carefully check the streamflow levels and follow all regulations to ensure a safe and enjoyable 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 Cheney Creek -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Applegate River Near Wilderville | 136 cfs | → |
| Illinois River Near Kerby | 160 cfs | → |
| Sucker Cr Bl Lt Grayback Cr Nr Holland | 56 cfs | → |
| Rogue River At Grants Pass | 2,220 cfs | → |
| Applegate River Near Applegate | 137 cfs | → |
| Star Gulch Near Ruch | 0 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
- Grants Pass To Grave Creek
- Confluence With Lightening Gulch To Confluence With Josephine Creek
- Miami Bar To Oak Flat
- Falls (Nw1/4 Of Sec 15, T36s, R9w) To Confluence With Silver Creek
- Middle Of Sec 15, T39s, R4e To Confluence With Canyon Creek
Campgrounds
- Lake Selmac County Park
- Lake Selmac Resort
- Selmac Lake Park
- Whitehorse County Park
- Spalding Pond
- Spalding Pond Campground
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 Cheney Creek 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 Cheney Creek
What's the optimal flow for Cheney Creek?
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 Cheney Creek.