Dry Medicine Lodge Creek river run
Dry Medicine Lodge Creek
This river is rated as a Class III-IV, with some portions reaching Class V. The segment of the creek running from the put-in at the confluence of Dry Medicine Lodge Creek and the North Platte River to the take-out at the Casper-Alcova Highway is approximately 5 miles long and offers exciting rapids and obstacles.
Some of the notable rapids include "Pinball," "S-Turn," and "S-Turn II," each offering technical challenges for experienced paddlers. Additionally, there are several large boulders and drops that require careful navigation.
There are specific regulations in place for Dry Medicine Lodge Creek to ensure the safety of paddlers and protect the environment. All paddlers must wear a personal flotation device and helmets at all times while on the river. Additionally, it is prohibited to camp or build fires along the riverbank.
In summary, Dry Medicine Lodge Creek in Wyoming offers an exciting Class III-IV whitewater experience with a range of challenging rapids and obstacles. Paddlers should aim to visit during May and June when water levels are at their peak and follow specific regulations to ensure safety and environmental protection.
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 Dry Medicine Lodge Creek -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Shell Creek Above Shell Creek Reservoir | 12 cfs | → |
| Shell Creek Near Shell | 74 cfs | → |
| Bighorn River At Basin | 1,590 cfs | → |
| South Piney Creek At Willow Park | 0 cfs | → |
| North Fork Powder River Near Hazelton | 3 cfs | → |
| Bighorn R At Worland Wyo | 4,350 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
- Medicine Lodge Archaeological Site
- Medicine Lodge Lake
- Lower Paint Rock Lake Campground
- Medicine Lodge Lake Campground
- Lower Paintrock Lake Campground
- Paint Rock Lake
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 Dry Medicine Lodge 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 Dry Medicine Lodge Creek
What's the optimal flow for Dry Medicine Lodge 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 Dry Medicine Lodge Creek.