Paddle Report

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

Washington, USA Boulder Creek 15.0 mi long Class III+
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
800cfs
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 · Boulder Creek
About this run

Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Elwha River

The Whitewater River Run in Washington is a thrilling adventure for experienced whitewater enthusiasts. The ideal streamflow range for the river is between 800-2,000 cfs, according to American Whitewater. The river is rated Class III+ to IV, which indicates that it is challenging with moderate to high waves and rapids that require skilled maneuvering.

The river run starts at the Headwaters and includes all of its tributaries until it meets with the Elwha River. The total distance of the river run is approximately 10 miles, with different segments offering different levels of difficulty. Among the rapids and obstacles that can be found along the way are the Lower and Upper Gorge rapids, the Bridge Drop, and the Toe Jam rapid.

It is important to note that the Whitewater River Run is located within Olympic National Park, and there are specific regulations that must be followed. According to the National Park Service, visitors must obtain a backcountry permit before entering the park, and all gear must be properly cleaned to prevent the spread of invasive species. Additionally, visitors are required to follow Leave No Trace principles to minimize their impact on the environment.

In summary, the Whitewater River Run in Washington is a challenging and thrilling adventure for experienced whitewater enthusiasts. With an ideal streamflow range of 800-2,000 cfs and a Class III+ to IV rating, this river run offers a range of rapids and obstacles that require skilled maneuvering. It is important to follow specific regulations within Olympic National Park, including obtaining a backcountry permit and following Leave No Trace principles.
StateWashington
RiverBoulder Creek
Run length15.0 mi
ClassIII+
Elevation624 ft
Optimal range800 — 2,000 cfs
Current flow--
StreamgageUSGS 12044900
Latitude47.9595°
Longitude-123.6927°
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.

More river runs

Other runs near here

Snoflo-tracked paddle runs within driving distance of Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With Elwha River.