Coal Wash river run
Coal Wash
The run can be accessed from the town of Green River and ends at the Swaseys Beach recreation area. The scenery along the way is stunning, with red rock cliffs and desert landscapes. However, it is important to note that this area is remote, and there are no services or amenities along the way.
As far as regulations go, a permit is required to run the Coal Wash segment. Permits are limited to 10 people per day, and the season runs from March through June. The BLM recommends that only experienced boaters attempt this run due to the remote location and challenging rapids.
In summary, the Coal Wash run on the Whitewater River is a Class III/IV segment with an ideal streamflow range of 300 to 800 cfs. Notable features include "Big Drop," "Rattlesnake Falls," and "The Narrows." A permit is required to run this remote area, and only experienced boaters are recommended to attempt it.
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 Coal Wash -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Ferron Cr Bl Millsite Res & Divs Nr Ferron | · | → |
| Ferron Creek (Upper Station) Near Ferron | 32 cfs | → |
| Muddy Creek Near Emery | 17 cfs | → |
| Desert Seep Wash Near Wellington | 2 cfs | → |
| San Rafael River Near Green River | 23 cfs | → |
| Ephraim Tunnel Near Ephraim | 2 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
Campgrounds
- Wedge Overlook
- The Wedge Camping Area
- Buckhorn Draw Camping Area
- Swinging Bridge South Campground
- San Rafael Bridge
- Swinging Bridge North 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 Coal Wash 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 Coal Wash
What's the optimal flow for Coal Wash?
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 Coal Wash.