Cow Creek river run
Cow Creek
Some of the specific rapids and obstacles that can be encountered along Cow Creek include Cow Paddle, Lemon Drop, and the Washing Machine. These rapids require paddlers to navigate through tight channels, steep drops, and powerful currents, making it an exciting and challenging river run.
To ensure safety and preserve the natural environment, there are specific regulations that must be followed while on Cow Creek. These include the use of personal flotation devices (PFDs) for all participants, strict adherence to Leave No Trace principles, and obtaining the necessary permits and permissions before entering the area.
Overall, Cow Creek is a thrilling and challenging whitewater river run that offers paddlers an exciting adventure in the beautiful wilderness of Wyoming.
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 Cow Creek -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Bighorn River At Kane | 2,120 cfs | → |
| Little Bighorn River At State Line Nr Wyola Mt | 327 cfs | → |
| Shoshone River Near Lovell | 371 cfs | → |
| West Pass Creek Near Parkman | 10 cfs | → |
| Shell Creek Near Shell | 74 cfs | → |
| East Pass Creek Near Dayton | 12 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
- Cottonwood Creek Campsite 2
- Cottonwood Creek Campsite 1
- Cottonwood Creek Campsite 3
- Cottonwood Creek Campground
- Cottonwood Creek Campsite 4
- Cottonwood Creek Campsite 5
Fishing spots
- Big Horn Lake
- Tongue River Fishing West
- Tongue River Fishing East
- Tongue River Fishing Site
- Bighorn Lake
Parks
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 Cow 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 Cow Creek
What's the optimal flow for Cow 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 Cow Creek.