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Significant rainfall over the past week has increased soil moisture to high levels across western Washington. Additional rainfall of 1 to 2 inches is expected through Friday. This amount of rain will continue to put extra pressure on soil instability, leading to an increased threat of landslides and debris flows, especially from recent burned areas, with this new rainfall acting as a trigger. Numerous landslides have already occurred in Whatcom, Skagit, King Counties and others. More landslides continue to be possible. Areas most susceptible to landslides debris flows under these conditions are steep coastal bluffs, other steep hillsides or road cuts, and recent burned areas. A diminishing threat of landslides and debris flows will continue for several days after the rain ends. For more information about current conditions, visit www.weather.gov/seattle, select Hydrology, and then scroll down for the links to the landslide information pages. For more information on landslides, visit the website for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources landslide geologic hazards at: http://bit.ly/2mtA3wn
Summary
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
River Run Details
| Last Updated | 2025-12-16 |
| River Levels | 1870 cfs (10.07 ft) |
| Percent of Normal | 764% |
| Status | |
| Class Level | iii-iv |
| Elevation | ft |
| Run Length | 13.0 Mi |
| Streamflow Discharge | cfs |
| Gauge Height | ft |
| Reporting Streamgage | USGS 12175500 |
Weather Forecast
Nearby Streamflow Levels
Skagit River At Newhalem
|
11300cfs |
Newhalem Creek Near Newhalem
|
30cfs |
Thunder Creek Near Newhalem
|
3100cfs |
Bacon Creek Below Oakes Creek Near Marblemount
|
2760cfs |
Skagit River At Marblemount
|
23900cfs |
Cascade River At Marblemount
|
4090cfs |
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Luna
|
||
Twin Rocks
|
||
Whatcom
|
||
Beaver Pass
|
||
Stillwell
|
||
39 Mile
|
River Runs
-
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