ESFSEW A series of atmospheric rivers will provide rounds of increasingly impactful rainfall starting on Friday and continuing through early next week. Snow levels will remain around 5000 to 6000 feet. Expect rising rivers with potential for flooding especially for rivers flowing off the Olympics and Cascades. Urban flooding and landslides are also possible throughout this period as the soil conditions remain wet.
The ideal streamflow range for this segment is between 1500-3000 cfs, providing Class III-IV rapids. The segment mileage for this run is 0.5 miles, starting at the Headwaters and ending at the Upper Goodell Campground.
The specific rapids and obstacles on this run include the "Entrance Rapid," which starts with a steep drop into a boulder field, followed by "The Wall," a narrow chute with a steep drop. "The Slot" is a narrow and steep section with a tricky entrance, and "The Notch" is a tight S-curve with large boulders. The run finishes with "The S-Turn," a series of quick turns through a narrow channel.
This stretch of the Whitewater River is regulated by the National Park Service, with specific regulations in place to protect the environment and ensure safety. These regulations include a required permit to launch, a limit on the number of launches per day, and restrictions on equipment and group size. Additionally, visitors are required to follow Leave No Trace principles and respect wildlife and natural resources.
Sources:
- American Whitewater, "Whitewater River - Headwaters to Upper Goodell Campground," https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/2282/
- National Park Service, "North Cascades National Park - Whitewater River," https://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/whitewater-river.htm
| Last Updated | 2025-12-03 |
| River Levels | 1870 cfs (10.07 ft) |
| Percent of Normal | 64% |
| Status | |
| Class Level | iii-iv |
| Elevation | ft |
| Run Length | 13.0 Mi |
| Streamflow Discharge | cfs |
| Gauge Height | ft |
| Reporting Streamgage | USGS 12175500 |
Skagit River At Newhalem
|
4030cfs |
Newhalem Creek Near Newhalem
|
30cfs |
Thunder Creek Near Newhalem
|
301cfs |
Bacon Creek Below Oakes Creek Near Marblemount
|
217cfs |
Skagit River At Marblemount
|
5160cfs |
Cascade River At Marblemount
|
494cfs |
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Luna
|
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Twin Rocks
|
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Whatcom
|
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Beaver Pass
|
||
Stillwell
|
||
39 Mile
|
Headwaters To Upper Goodell Campground (Rm 0.5)
Headwaters To North Cascades National Park Boundary
Upper Goodell Campground (Rm 0.5) To Confluence With Skagit River
Begins Below Gorge Powerhouse To Ross Lake National Recreation Area Boundary
Begins Upstream Of The Diversion Dam (Rm 1) To Confluence With Skagit River
Headwaters To U.S./Canadian Border