Applegate River river run
Applegate River
The river has a total distance of 29 miles, with the whitewater section being approximately 8 miles long. The rapids on the Applegate River are known for their technical nature and include obstacles such as boulder gardens and drops.
There are specific regulations in place for the Applegate River. All boaters are required to have a valid permit during the peak season (May 15 through September 15). There is also a limit on the number of permits issued per day to help preserve the natural environment. Additionally, boaters are required to follow Leave No Trace principles to minimize their impact on the ecosystem.
In summary, the Applegate River offers a challenging whitewater experience for intermediate to advanced paddlers. The ideal streamflow range is between 700 and 2,000 cfs, and the river is rated as a class III to class IV. Specific regulations are in place, including a permit requirement and a limit on the number of permits issued per day.
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 Applegate River -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Applegate River Near Copper | 150 cfs | → |
| Star Gulch Near Ruch | 1 cfs | → |
| Applegate River Near Applegate | 159 cfs | → |
| Klamath R Nr Seiad Valley Ca | 1,960 cfs | → |
| Sucker Cr Bl Lt Grayback Cr Nr Holland | 58 cfs | → |
| Indian C Nr Happy Camp Ca | 100 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
- Hart-Tish Boat Ramp
- French Gulch
- Copper Ramp
- I. Portuguese Creek River Access
- H. Sluice Box River Access
- G. Rocky Point River Access
Other river runs
- Headwaters To Forest Road 960
- Headwaters At 4800 Ft Contour Line To Boundary Of The Cave/Underground River Styx.
- Sluice Box To Green Riffle
- Little Applegate River
- Confluence With Rancheria Creek To Forest Road 46n24x
Campgrounds
- Hart-Tish Park - Applegate Lake
- Hart-Tish Campground
- Tipsu Tyee
- Harr Point Campground
- Tipsu Tyee Campground
- Harr Point
Fishing spots
Parks
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 Applegate 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 Applegate River
What's the optimal flow for Applegate 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 Applegate River.