Paddle Report

Begins Approximately At Kepler Cascades To The Confluence With The Madison River river run

Wyoming, USA Firehole River 20.0 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
56%
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Linked streamgauge
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Begins Approximately At Kepler Cascades To  The Confluence With The Madison River -- Wyoming paddle run
Begins Approximately At Kepler Cascades To The Confluence With The Madison River Wyoming · Firehole River
About this run

Begins Approximately At Kepler Cascades To The Confluence With The Madison River

The Whitewater River Run in Wyoming is a popular destination for adventure seekers and experienced whitewater rafters. This river run begins at Kepler Cascades and continues for approximately 16 miles until it reaches the confluence with the Madison River. The ideal streamflow range for this segment of the river is between 1,000 and 4,000 cubic feet per second (cfs).

The class rating for this river run is a class III-IV, which is considered intermediate to advanced rapids. The segment is divided into several sections, including the Upper Whitewater, Lower Whitewater, and Yankee Jim Canyon. The Upper Whitewater section contains several class III rapids, including Big Kahuna, Lunch Counter, and the famous Champagne Rapid. The Lower Whitewater section contains more technical class IV rapids, including the Narrows, No Name, and Stovepipe. Yankee Jim Canyon is a narrow section of the river with steep canyon walls and several class III-IV rapids.

There are specific regulations to the area, including the requirement for all boaters to wear personal flotation devices and helmets. It is also recommended to have an experienced guide or to have previous whitewater rafting experience before attempting this river run. Additionally, there are restrictions on the number of boats allowed on the river per day to limit overcrowding and maintain the natural beauty of the area.

In summary, the Whitewater River Run in Wyoming is an exciting and challenging segment of the river with a class III-IV rating. It spans approximately 16 miles and is divided into several sections with specific rapids and obstacles. The ideal streamflow range for this river run is between 1,000 and 4,000 cfs, and there are specific regulations in place to ensure the safety of boaters and preserve the natural environment.
StateWyoming
RiverFirehole River
Run length20.0 mi
ClassIII-IV
Elevation7,070 ft
Current flow--
Percent of normal56%
StreamgageUSGS 06036905
Latitude44.4457°
Longitude-110.8061°
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 Begins Approximately At Kepler Cascades To The Confluence With The Madison 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 Begins Approximately At Kepler Cascades To The Confluence With The Madison 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 Begins Approximately At Kepler Cascades To The Confluence With The Madison River

What's the optimal flow for Begins Approximately At Kepler Cascades To The Confluence With The Madison 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.