The Headwaters, In The Gallatin Range To Ends Downstream Of Osprey Falls river run
The Headwaters, In The Gallatin Range To Ends Downstream Of Osprey Falls
The total mileage of the river is about 90 miles, with the Headwaters section being 14 miles long and the Big Sky to Porcupine section being 22 miles long. Specific rapids and obstacles on the river include House Rock, Mad Mile, and Kitchen Sink among others. There are specific regulations for the area, including permits required for commercial use, no camping within ¼ mile of the river, and a catch-and-release policy for all cutthroat trout.
Overall, the Whitewater River Run offers a variety of challenges for whitewater enthusiasts, with different segments of varying difficulties. It is important to check the current streamflow levels before embarking on a trip and to follow all regulations to ensure the safety of both the environment and the participants.
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 The Headwaters, In The Gallatin Range To Ends Downstream Of Osprey Falls -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Gardner River Near Mammoth Ynp | 495 cfs | → |
| Boiling River At Mammoth | 25 cfs | → |
| Yellowstone River At Corwin Springs Mt | 8,980 cfs | → |
| Tantalus Creek At Norris Junction | 3 cfs | → |
| Gibbon River At Madison Jct | 103 cfs | → |
| Madison River Near West Yellowstone Mt | 454 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.
Other river runs
- The Headwaters In The Gallatin Range To Ends Where The River Parallels A Two-Lane Highway
- Begins Where The River Parallels A Two-Lane Highway To The Western Boundary Of Yellowstone National Park
- Begins Downstream Of Osprey Falls To Confluence With Yellowstone River, At The Northern Park Boundary
- Gardiner Town Run
- Yankee Jim Canyon (Joe Brown To Miner)
Fishing spots
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 The Headwaters, In The Gallatin Range To Ends Downstream Of Osprey Falls 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 The Headwaters, In The Gallatin Range To Ends Downstream Of Osprey Falls
What's the optimal flow for The Headwaters, In The Gallatin Range To Ends Downstream Of Osprey Falls?
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 The Headwaters, In The Gallatin Range To Ends Downstream Of Osprey Falls.