Klickitat River river run
Klickitat River
The Klickitat River has some thrilling rapids and obstacles that are sure to excite whitewater enthusiasts. Some notable rapids on the river include Maytag, Grasshopper, and Swimmer’s Rapid. The Maytag rapid is a class III rapid that features a large hole that can be challenging to navigate. Grasshopper rapid, on the other hand, is a class IV rapid that features some challenging drops and waves. Swimmer’s Rapid is also a class IV rapid that features a large standing wave that requires precise timing and maneuvering.
There are specific regulations that apply to the Klickitat River to ensure safety and preserve the natural environment. All boaters are required to obtain a permit from the Klickitat County Public Works Department before entering the river. Additionally, all boaters are required to carry a life jacket and a whistle at all times while on the river. Camping is not allowed on the riverbanks, and all trash should be packed out.
In conclusion, the Klickitat River is a popular whitewater river run in Washington State with an ideal streamflow range of 800-2000 cfs, a class II-IV rating, 10 miles of segment mileage, and some challenging rapids and obstacles. Boaters should adhere to specific regulations such as obtaining a permit, carrying safety gear, and packing out trash while on the river.
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 Klickitat River -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Klickitat River Bl Summit Creek Near Glenwood | 1,100 cfs | → |
| Klickitat River Near Pitt | 1,240 cfs | → |
| Klickitat River Above West Fork Near Glenwood | 286 cfs | → |
| Columbia River At The Dalles | 169,000 cfs | → |
| Mosier Creek Near Mosier | 5 cfs | → |
| White Salmon River Near Underwood | 884 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
Other river runs
Campgrounds
- Leidl South Campground
- Leidl North Campground
- Leidl South - Wdfw
- Stimpson Flats - Wdfw
- Stinson Flats Campground
- Mineral Springs - Wdfw
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 Klickitat 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 Klickitat River
What's the optimal flow for Klickitat 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 Klickitat River.