Paddle Report

Headwaters At 2800 Ft To Western Boundary Of Olympic National Park river run

Washington, USA Calawah River, South Fork 17.0 mi long Class II-IV
Today high
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Tonight low
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Current flow
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% of normal
57%
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Linked streamgauge
-- cfs
Gauge height
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 Headwaters At 2800 Ft To  Western Boundary Of Olympic National Park -- Washington paddle run
Headwaters At 2800 Ft To Western Boundary Of Olympic National Park Washington · Calawah River, South Fork
About this run

Headwaters At 2800 Ft To Western Boundary Of Olympic National Park

The Whitewater River Run in Washington state offers a thrilling adventure for whitewater enthusiasts. The ideal streamflow range for this run is between 800 and 4000 cfs, providing the perfect balance of challenging rapids and navigable sections. The class rating for the Whitewater River Run is a mixture of class II-IV rapids, offering a range of difficulty for rafters and kayakers.

This run spans a distance of 20 miles, from the headwaters at 2800 ft to the western boundary of Olympic National Park. It is known for its beautiful scenery, including old-growth forests and stunning waterfalls. However, this run also presents a number of challenging rapids and obstacles, including the infamous "Brain Damage" rapid and "Hole in the Wall" rapid.

To ensure the safety of all visitors, there are specific regulations in place for the Whitewater River Run. All boaters must have a valid permit to access the river, and it is recommended that visitors check local weather and river conditions before embarking on their journey. Additionally, visitors are required to follow Leave No Trace principles and properly dispose of all waste.

Overall, the Whitewater River Run offers an exciting and challenging experience for those seeking to test their skills on the rapids. However, visitors should always prioritize safety and follow all regulations to ensure a successful trip.
StateWashington
RiverCalawah River, South Fork
Run length17.0 mi
ClassII-IV
Elevation261 ft
Current flow--
Percent of normal57%
StreamgageUSGS 12041200
Latitude47.9502°
Longitude-123.9859°
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 At 2800 Ft To Western Boundary Of Olympic National Park -- 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 At 2800 Ft To Western Boundary Of Olympic National Park 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 At 2800 Ft To Western Boundary Of Olympic National Park

What's the optimal flow for Headwaters At 2800 Ft To Western Boundary Of Olympic National Park?

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.