Headwaters To Upper Goodell Campground (Rm 0.5) river run
Headwaters To Upper Goodell Campground (Rm 0.5)
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
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 Headwaters To Upper Goodell Campground (Rm 0.5) -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Skagit River At Newhalem | 5,210 cfs | → |
| Newhalem Creek Near Newhalem | 30 cfs | → |
| Thunder Creek Near Newhalem | 1,310 cfs | → |
| Bacon Creek Below Oakes Creek Near Marblemount | 579 cfs | → |
| Skagit River At Marblemount | 6,930 cfs | → |
| Cascade River At Marblemount | 1,670 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
- National Forest Development Road 1150 Whatcom County
- National Forest Development Road 1142 Whatcom County
- National Forest Development Road 11, Concrete
Other river runs
- 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
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 Headwaters To Upper Goodell Campground (Rm 0.5) 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 Headwaters To Upper Goodell Campground (Rm 0.5)
What's the optimal flow for Headwaters To Upper Goodell Campground (Rm 0.5)?
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 Headwaters To Upper Goodell Campground (Rm 0.5).