Mesquite Wash river run
Mesquite Wash
The Whitewater River Run Mesquite Wash is a popular destination for kayakers and rafters in southern Utah. The ideal streamflow range for this section of the river is between 150 and 500 cubic feet per second (cfs), with the best time to paddle being in the spring. The class rating for this section of the river ranges from class II to III, with some challenging rapids and obstacles such as "The Wall" and "The Squeeze".
The segment mileage for the Whitewater River Run Mesquite Wash is approximately 10 miles, starting at the town of Virgin and ending at the Confluence with the Virgin River. This section of the river offers stunning views of the desert landscape and towering red rock formations.
There are specific regulations to the area that visitors should be aware of, such as obtaining a permit from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) before entering the area. Additionally, visitors should follow Leave No Trace principles and avoid disturbing the natural environment. Overall, the Whitewater River Run Mesquite Wash offers a thrilling and scenic adventure for experienced paddlers.
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 Mesquite 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 | → |
| Price River At Woodside | 18 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 Mesquite 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 Mesquite Wash
What's the optimal flow for Mesquite 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 Mesquite Wash.