Deer Creek river run
Deer Creek
Deer Creek features a variety of rapids and obstacles that test the skills of even the most experienced kayakers and rafters. The most notable rapids include the "Big Falls" rapid, a Class IV rapid that drops 20 feet in a single drop and requires precise navigation to avoid dangerous rocks and currents. Other rapids include the "Boxcar" rapid and "S-Turn" rapid, both of which feature tight turns and challenging currents.
Visitors to Deer Creek must follow specific regulations to ensure their safety and protect the natural environment of the area. These regulations include wearing a properly fitted personal flotation device (PFD), avoiding alcohol consumption, and respecting the wildlife and natural surroundings.
Overall, Deer Creek is a challenging and exciting whitewater river run that is best suited for experienced kayakers and rafters. With its variety of rapids and obstacles, and ideal streamflow range of 500 to 1,500 cfs, it offers a thrilling adventure for those willing to take on its Class IV rapids and stunning natural beauty.
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 Deer Creek -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Deer Creek In Canyon | 60 cfs | → |
| Box Elder Creek At Boxelder | 26 cfs | → |
| North Platte River At Orin | 528 cfs | → |
| L Medicine Bow R At Boles Spring | 10 cfs | → |
| Medicine Bow R Ab Seminoe Reservoir | 38 cfs | → |
| Sweetwater River Near Alcova | 27 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.
Campgrounds
Parks
- Edness Kimball Wilkins State Park
- Casper Mountain County Park
- Susie Mcmurry Park
- Fun Valley Park
- Long Park
- Fairdale Park
Points of interest
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 Deer Creek 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 Deer Creek
What's the optimal flow for Deer Creek?
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 Deer Creek.