Headwaters- Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With North Fork Skokomish River river run
Headwaters- Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With North Fork Skokomish River
The class rating for this river run is considered to be class IV-V, which means that the rapids are intense and require advanced skills and experience to navigate. The segment mileage of the river run is approximately 7 miles, and it is divided into three main sections, including the Upper, Middle, and Lower Whitewater sections.
The Upper Whitewater section is 1.8 miles long and features tight boulder gardens, steep drops, and several class IV rapids. The Middle Whitewater section is 2.5 miles long and includes several class V rapids and challenging obstacles, such as Slide Drop and Cucumber Falls. The Lower Whitewater section is 2.7 miles long and is a bit calmer than the other sections, with class III-IV rapids.
The specific river rapids and obstacles include Boulder Drop, Pinball, and the infamous Widowmaker. The Widowmaker is a class V rapid that features a steep drop and a dangerous undercut rock. It is recommended that kayakers scout this rapid before attempting to navigate it.
Specific regulations to the area include the requirement of wearing a personal flotation device at all times and avoiding the river run during high water levels. It is also recommended that kayakers have advanced skills, experience, and a solid understanding of whitewater safety. Overall, the Whitewater River Run is an exhilarating adventure that requires experience and skill to navigate safely.
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- Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With North Fork Skokomish River -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Nf Skokomish R Bl Staircase Rpds Nr Hoodsport | 118 cfs | → |
| Wynoochee River Near Grisdale | 214 cfs | → |
| South Fork Skokomish River Near Union | 172 cfs | → |
| North Fork Skokomish River Near Potlatch | 254 cfs | → |
| Wynoochee River Above Save Creek Near Aberdeen | 308 cfs | → |
| Skokomish River Near Potlatch | 512 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
Other river runs
- Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Graves Creek
- Headwaters To Southern Boundary Of Olympic National Park
- Headwaters- Includes All Tributaries Within Park To Confluence With North Fork Skokomish River
- Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Quinault River
Campgrounds
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- Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With North Fork Skokomish 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- Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With North Fork Skokomish River
What's the optimal flow for Headwaters- Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With North Fork Skokomish 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- Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With North Fork Skokomish River.