Paddle Report

Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Elwha River river run

Washington, USA Cat Creek 33.0 mi long Class III-IV+
Today high
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Tonight low
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Current flow
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% of normal
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Linked streamgauge
-- cfs
Gauge height
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Optimal low
500cfs
Optimal high
2,000cfs
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 Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To  Confluence With Elwha River -- Washington paddle run
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Elwha River Washington · Cat Creek
About this run

Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Elwha River

The Whitewater River in Washington is an exhilarating run that begins at its headwaters and flows into the Elwha River. The ideal streamflow range for the run is between 500 and 2000 cfs. The river is rated as Class III to IV, making it suitable for intermediate and advanced paddlers. The segment mileage for the run is approximately 10 miles and includes several challenging rapids, including the “Pinball Wizard” and “The Wall.”

The Pinball Wizard is a Class IV+ rapid that features a tight, rocky channel with several boulder obstacles. The Wall is a Class IV rapid that requires precise maneuvering through a narrow chute with a steep drop. Paddlers should exercise caution and have experience with advanced whitewater techniques.

Specific regulations in the area include the need for a valid Washington State Discover Pass to park at the river access points. Additionally, paddlers should be aware of private property along the river and avoid trespassing. It is important to respect the natural environment and leave no trace while on the river.

StateWashington
RiverCat Creek
Run length33.0 mi
ClassIII-IV+
Elevation624 ft
Optimal range500 — 2,000 cfs
Current flow--
StreamgageUSGS 12044900
Latitude47.9002°
Longitude-123.6566°
Detailed forecast

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.

Hourly detail

Next 5 days, hour by hour

Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.

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Deep dive

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.

TimeConditionTemp (°F)Snow (in)Rain (in)Humidity (%)Wind (mps)Wind dir
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Long-term outlook

15-day temperature & precipitation

Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks -- the upstream story that drives next week's flows.

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Regional flow

Regional streamflow levels

USGS streamgauges around Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Elwha River -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.

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 Elwha 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.

FAQ

About Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Elwha River

What's the optimal flow for Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Elwha 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.