Paddle Report

Headwaters To Former Backwaters Of Lake Mills Created By The Former Glines Canyon Dam river run

Washington, USA Elwha River 29.0 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
400cfs
Optimal high
800cfs
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 Headwaters To  Former Backwaters Of Lake Mills Created By The Former Glines Canyon Dam -- Washington paddle run
Headwaters To Former Backwaters Of Lake Mills Created By The Former Glines Canyon Dam Washington · Elwha River
About this run

Headwaters To Former Backwaters Of Lake Mills Created By The Former Glines Canyon Dam

The Whitewater River Run in Washington state is a popular destination for kayaking and rafting enthusiasts. The ideal streamflow range for this run is between 400-800 cubic feet per second (cfs), which provides Class III-IV rapids. The segment mileage of this run is around 6.5 miles, leading from the Headwaters to the Former Backwaters of Lake Mills created by the Former Glines Canyon Dam.

There are several notable rapids and obstacles on this run, including the Class III+ "S-Turn" rapid and the Class IV "Widowmaker" rapid. Additionally, paddlers must navigate through several boulder gardens and tight channels throughout the run.

The area is regulated by the Olympic National Park, which requires a permit for all overnight camping in the area. Additionally, paddlers are required to practice Leave No Trace principles and to respect the natural environment of the park.

StateWashington
RiverElwha River
Run length29.0 mi
ClassIII-IV
Elevation624 ft
Optimal range400 — 800 cfs
Current flow--
StreamgageUSGS 12044900
Latitude47.7731°
Longitude-123.5832°
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 To Former Backwaters Of Lake Mills Created By The Former Glines Canyon Dam -- 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 To Former Backwaters Of Lake Mills Created By The Former Glines Canyon Dam 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 To Former Backwaters Of Lake Mills Created By The Former Glines Canyon Dam

What's the optimal flow for Headwaters To Former Backwaters Of Lake Mills Created By The Former Glines Canyon Dam?

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.