San Juan River river run
San Juan River
The San Juan River in Utah is a popular whitewater river run with a class rating of II-III. The ideal streamflow range is between 500 and 2,000 cfs. The river is divided into three segments, with the upper segment being the most challenging and the lower segment being the easiest. The upper segment has a mileage of 26 miles and includes rapids such as Government Rapids and Eight Foot Rapid. The middle segment is 28 miles long and includes rapids such as Slickhorn Rapids and Ross Rapid. The lower segment is the easiest and has a mileage of 27 miles. Rapids in this segment include Mexican Hat Rapids and Clay Hills Rapids.
Specific regulations to the area include obtaining a permit from the Bureau of Land Management to use the river and adhering to strict leave-no-trace principles. Additionally, motorized boats are not allowed on the river, and camping is only allowed in designated campsites. The San Juan River is also a culturally significant area for the Navajo Nation, and visitors are asked to respect and protect the cultural resources in the 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 San Juan River -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| San Juan River Near Bluff | 970 cfs | → |
| Mcelmo Creek Near Colorado-Utah State Line | 2 cfs | → |
| Chinle Creek Near Mexican Water | · | → |
| San Juan River At Four Corners | 1,100 cfs | → |
| Recapture Creek Near Blanding | · | → |
| South Creek Above Reservoir Near Monticello | 0 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.
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 San Juan 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 San Juan River
What's the optimal flow for San Juan 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 San Juan River.