Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Stehekin River river run
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Stehekin River
The upper section of the Whitewater River, from the headwaters to the junction with the Rainbow Creek, is known for its steep gradient and numerous rapids, including the Twister and the Fish Creek Drop. This section is rated as Class IV and is recommended for experienced kayakers and rafters only.
The middle section of the river, from Rainbow Creek to Brush Creek, is a mix of Class II and III rapids, with some boulder gardens and small drops. This section is suitable for intermediate paddlers.
The lower section of the river, from Brush Creek to the confluence with the Stehekin River, is a mellow stretch with mostly Class I and II rapids. This section is suitable for beginners and families.
The Whitewater River is located within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, and there are specific regulations that apply to the area. Visitors are required to obtain a permit for overnight camping, and campsites must be located at least 200 feet from the river. Additionally, fires are only allowed in designated fire rings, and visitors are required to pack out all trash and waste.
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 And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Stehekin River -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Salix Creek At S Cascade Gl Near Marblemount | 0 cfs | → |
| Stehekin River At Stehekin | 2,980 cfs | → |
| Thunder Creek Near Newhalem | 989 cfs | → |
| Newhalem Creek Near Newhalem | 30 cfs | → |
| Cascade River At Marblemount | 1,250 cfs | → |
| Skagit River At Newhalem | 5,610 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.
Other river runs
- Headwaters Including All Tributaries To Confluence With Stehekin River
- Headwaters To Confluence With Stehekin River
- Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With West Fork Agnes Creek
- Cottonwood Campground To High Bridge Campground
- Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Agnes Creek
Campgrounds
Parks
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 And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Stehekin 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 Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Stehekin River
What's the optimal flow for Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Stehekin 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 Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Stehekin River.