Headwaters To Confluence With Stehekin River river run
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Headwaters To Confluence With Stehekin River
The segment mileage of this river run is approximately 5.5 miles, starting at the Headwaters and ending at the Confluence with Stehekin River. The river offers a variety of rapids and obstacles, including Boulder Drop, Shark's Tooth, and Pinball. These rapids range in difficulty and require technical skill to navigate. The river also features stunning scenery, including views of the North Cascades National Park.
There are specific regulations to follow when paddling the Whitewater River. A permit is required to access the section of the river that runs through the North Cascades National Park. Additionally, all paddlers are required to wear a PFD (personal flotation device) at all times while on the river. It is important to check weather and water conditions before embarking on this river run, as the river can be dangerous during high water levels.
Sources:
- American Whitewater: https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/detail/id/2888/
- National Park Service: https://www.nps.gov/noca/planyourvisit/whitewater.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 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 | 2,580 cfs | → |
| Thunder Creek Near Newhalem | 1,270 cfs | → |
| Newhalem Creek Near Newhalem | 30 cfs | → |
| Skagit River At Newhalem | 5,280 cfs | → |
| Cascade River At Marblemount | 1,490 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 Of All Unnamed Tributaries Between High Bridge Campground And Cottonwood Campground To Confluence With Stehekin River
- Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Stehekin River
- Cottonwood Campground To High Bridge Campground
- Begins 1/4 Mile Upstream From Confluence With Stehekin River To Confluence With Stehekin River
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 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 To Confluence With Stehekin River
What's the optimal flow for Headwaters 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 To Confluence With Stehekin River.