Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries Upstream From North Fork Quinault Road To Confluence With North Fork Quinault River river run
Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries Upstream From North Fork Quinault Road To Confluence With North Fork Quinault River
The Whitewater River run is a challenging 16-mile stretch of river that begins at the headwaters and includes all tributaries upstream from North Fork Quinault Road to the confluence with North Fork Quinault River in Washington State. The ideal streamflow range for the Whitewater River run is between 600 and 1200 cubic feet per second (cfs) during the spring and early summer months.
The Whitewater River run is rated as a Class IV-V river, which means that it is only suitable for experienced whitewater paddlers who are comfortable with navigating complex, technical rapids and obstacles. Some of the specific rapids and obstacles on this stretch of river include the North Fork Gorge, a narrow, steep-walled canyon with powerful rapids and large boulders, and the Upper and Lower Falls, two massive drops that require precise maneuvering.
There are specific regulations in place for the Whitewater River run. Paddlers are required to obtain a permit from Olympic National Park before accessing the river, and are required to follow all state and federal rules and regulations regarding boating safety and environmental protection. Additionally, paddlers should be prepared for rugged terrain and limited access points, as the river runs through a remote and challenging wilderness area.
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 And Includes All Tributaries Upstream From North Fork Quinault Road To Confluence With North Fork Quinault River -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Wynoochee River Near Grisdale | 214 cfs | → |
| Quinault River At Quinault Lake | 1,260 cfs | → |
| Nf Skokomish R Bl Staircase Rpds Nr Hoodsport | 213 cfs | → |
| Wynoochee River Above Save Creek Near Aberdeen | 329 cfs | → |
| South Fork Skokomish River Near Union | 193 cfs | → |
| North Fork Skokomish River Near Potlatch | 261 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
- South Shore Road 419, Quinault
- South Shore Road 345, Quinault
- National Forest Development Road 2294, Montesano
Other river runs
- End Of North Fork Quinault Road To Confluence With The Main Branch Quinault River
- Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries To Confluence With North Fork Quinault River
- Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries Downstream From The End Of Graves Creek Road And Confluence With Graves Creek To Western Boundary Of Olympic National Park
- End Of Graves Creek Road And Confluence With Graves Creek To Western Boundary Of Olympic National Park
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 Upstream From North Fork Quinault Road To Confluence With North Fork Quinault 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 And Includes All Tributaries Upstream From North Fork Quinault Road To Confluence With North Fork Quinault River
What's the optimal flow for Headwaters And Includes All Tributaries Upstream From North Fork Quinault Road To Confluence With North Fork Quinault 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 And Includes All Tributaries Upstream From North Fork Quinault Road To Confluence With North Fork Quinault River.