Onion Creek river run
Onion Creek
The first 2.5 miles of the river are relatively mild with the class II rapids, while the remaining 6 miles of the river are more intense with a mix of class II-III rapids. Some of the specific rapids and obstacles on this river include Boulder Drop, Onion Falls, and Rocky Rapid. It is important to note that the difficulty of these rapids can vary depending on the water level.
To ensure safety while running Onion Creek, specific regulations have been put in place by the Bureau of Land Management. These regulations include the requirement of wearing personal flotation devices (PFDs) at all times while on the river, adhering to a strict leave-no-trace policy, and not camping or building any structures within 300 feet of the river. It is also important to note that the river can be closed during periods of high water or other hazardous conditions.
Overall, Onion Creek provides an exciting and challenging whitewater river run for experienced paddlers. It is important to check current water levels and regulations before attempting this run, and to always prioritize safety while on 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 Onion Creek -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Dolores River Near Cisco | 181 cfs | → |
| Colorado River Near Cisco | 4,110 cfs | → |
| Castle Creek Below Castle Valley Near Moab | 4 cfs | → |
| Dolores River Near Gateway | 187 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek Below Sheley Tunnel | 3 cfs | → |
| Mill Creek At Sheley Tunnel | 6 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
- Ut 128 Moab
- Hittle Bottom Recreation Site
- Lower Onion Creek Boat Ramp
- Fisher Towers Road Grand County
- Dewey Bridge Recreation Site
- Grand County
Campgrounds
- Fisher Towers Recreation Site
- Fisher Towers Campground
- Fisher Towers
- Upper Onion Creek Camping Area
- Bull Draw, Manti La Sal Nf Road Campsite
- Hittle Bottom Recreation Site
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 Onion 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 Onion Creek
What's the optimal flow for Onion 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 Onion Creek.