2026-04-02T08:30:00-07:00
* WHAT...Flooding caused by rain and snowmelt is expected for the lower Stehekin Valley. * WHERE...A portion of North Central Washington, including the following county, Chelan. * WHEN...Until further notice. * IMPACTS...When the Stehekin River gauge hits 19.3 feet, water breaches the river bank. At 20 feet, water inundates some properties and overtops the temporary corduroy bridge. Company Creek Road begins to flood in places at the northern end and Battalion Creek culverts are beginning to be overtopped. At 20.5 feet, water begins to damage Wood Road. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 418 PM PDT, Thursday, March 26th, the Stehekin River was at 20.64 feet and it is forecast to slowly recede to around 20.1 feet by Saturday evening. It is forecasted to stay above 20 feet until further notice. - Gauge reports of between 0.60 and 0.90 inches of rain have fallen in the headwaters of the Stehekin River over a 48 hour period through 400 PM Thursday. Snow melt is also occurring and contributing to rises. - http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
Summary
The ideal streamflow range for this route is between 800 and 4,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), depending on the time of year. The class rating for this section of the river is Class III to IV, with steep and technical rapids.
The segment distance for this river run is approximately 18 miles, and it can be completed in one day or broken up into a multi-day trip. Some of the notable rapids and obstacles on this route include Devil's Elbow, The Climax, and The Chute. These rapids require technical skill and quick decision making, making this route best suited for experienced paddlers.
Specific regulations to the area include a permit requirement for overnight camping and a minimum age requirement of 16 for commercial rafting trips. Additionally, all boaters are required to wear a personal flotation device (PFD) at all times while on the river.
Overall, the Whitewater River Run from High Bridge Campground to Lake Chelan is an exciting and challenging adventure for experienced paddlers. It is important to check streamflow levels and regulations before embarking on this route to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
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15-Day Weather Outlook
River Run Details
| Last Updated | 2026-03-25 |
| River Levels | 3790 cfs (21.56 ft) |
| Percent of Normal | 291% |
| Status | |
| Class Level | iii |
| Elevation | ft |
| Run Length | 14.0 Mi |
| Streamflow Discharge | cfs |
| Gauge Height | ft |
| Reporting Streamgage | USGS 12451000 |
5-Day Hourly Forecast Detail
Nearby Streamflow Levels
Stehekin River At Stehekin
|
2500cfs |
Salix Creek At S Cascade Gl Near Marblemount
|
0cfs |
Methow River Above Goat Creek Near Mazama
|
1450cfs |
Twisp River Near Twisp
|
795cfs |
Chewuch River At Winthrop
|
815cfs |
Methow River At Winthrop
|
2570cfs |
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Weaver Point
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Weaver Point - North Cascades National Park
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Purple Point
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Rainbow Bridge Camp
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Rainbow Bridge
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Purple Point Overflow
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River Runs
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High Bridge Campground To Lake Chelan
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Begins 1/4 Mile Upstream From Confluence With Stehekin River To Confluence With Stehekin River
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Begins 1/4 Mile Upstream Of 12 Unnamed Tributaries Between High Bridge Campground And Lake Chelan From Confluence With Stehekin River To Confluence With Stehekin River
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Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries Including North Fork Rainbow Creek, Bowan Creek, And Bench Creek To Ends 1/4 Mile Upstream Of The Confluence With The Stehekin River