Water Canyon Segment 20-21 river run
Water Canyon Segment 20-21
Some of the specific rapids and obstacles on this segment include Entrance, Rapid 59, and S-Turn. Entrance is a Class IV rapid that requires precise maneuvering through a narrow channel. Rapid 59 is a Class V rapid that drops over 20 feet in a short distance, and requires advanced technical skills to navigate. S-Turn is a Class III rapid that twists and turns through a narrow canyon.
There are specific regulations to follow when accessing and navigating this segment. All boaters must obtain a permit from the Bureau of Land Management before entering the area. Additionally, boaters must follow Leave No Trace principles and respect the natural environment. Camping is not allowed along the river, and fires are only allowed in designated fire rings.
Overall, the Water Canyon Segment 20-21 offers a challenging and thrilling whitewater rafting experience for experienced boaters. It is important to always prioritize safety and follow regulations when exploring this area.
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 Water Canyon Segment 20-21 -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Rio Grande At Thirtymile Bridge | 510 cfs | → |
| North Clear Creek Bl Continental Reservoir | 17 cfs | → |
| Salt C Nr Mecca | 1 cfs | → |
| Goose Creek At Wagonwheel Gap | 128 cfs | → |
| Rio Grande At Wagon Wheel Gap | 836 cfs | → |
| Rio Chama Below El Vado Dam | 182 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.
Other river runs
- Indian Canyon, South Fork Segment 22-23
- Indian Canyon Seg 24-25, North Branch South Fork
- Hell Dive Canyon Segment 30-31
- Indian Canyon Segment 26-27
- Cottonwood Creek Segment 28-29
Campgrounds
- Meadows Dispersed - Coral Pink Sand Dunes
- Ponderosa Grove Campground
- Ponderosa Grove - Coral Pink Sand Dunes
- Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
- Kanab Rv Corral
- Mount Carmel Free Campsite
Parks
- Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
- Jacob Hamblin Park
- Pipe Spring National Monument
- Cottonwood Point Wilderness
- Wilderness Zion Wilderness (Draft Boundary)
- Zion National Park
Points of interest
- Hidden Lake Recreation Site
- Oos'eev Yucca Kanabensis Yucca Interpretive Exhibit
- Kwi'-Uv Quercus Turbinella Scrub Live-Oak Interpretive Exhibit
- Powell's Surveyors At Pipe Spring Interpretive Exhibit
- Suh-Uhv' Rhus Trilobata Three-Leaf Sumac Interpretive Exhibit
- A New National Monument Interpretive Exhibit
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 Water Canyon Segment 20-21 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 Water Canyon Segment 20-21
What's the optimal flow for Water Canyon Segment 20-21?
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 Water Canyon Segment 20-21.