Main Section
Run from below the Gnar Section to Idylwilde Dam.
Suggested river levels for paddling this section of the Big Thompson are between a bare minimum of 300cfs and a high of 1,100cfs.
River conditions sourced from USGS 06660000, the Laramie River At Laramie
Remember only watercraft are permitted
at Main Section.
Run Stats
| Status | Too Low |
| Class Level | IV+ to V |
| Elevation | 7,128 ft |
| Run Length | 3.0 Mi |
| Streamflow Discharge | 47.8 cfs |
| Gage Height | 4.7 ft |
| Air Temperature | 32° |
| River | Big Thompson |
| Reporting Streamgage |
Laramie River At Laramie
USGS 06660000 |
| Gauge | Streamflow | Stage |
|---|---|---|
|
First Cr Ab 96Th Ave
USGS 06720480 |
1 cfs | ft |
|
South Platte River At Waterton
USGS 06708000 |
50 cfs | 0.7 ft |
|
Michigan River Near Cameron Pass
USGS 06614800 |
1 cfs | 2.3 ft |
|
St. Vrain Creek At Mouth
USGS 06731000 |
96 cfs | 1.4 ft |
|
Clear Creek At Golden
USGS 06719505 |
41 cfs | 3.5 ft |
|
Plum Creek Near Sedalia
USGS 06709000 |
15 cfs | 3.6 ft |
|
Fraser River At Upper Sta
USGS 09022000 |
2 cfs | 0.5 ft |
|
Big Dry Creek Blw C-470 At Highlands Ranch
USGS 06710150 |
2 cfs | 1.7 ft |
|
South St. Vrain Creek Near Ward
USGS 06722500 |
4 cfs | 1.5 ft |
|
Grand River Ditch At La Poudre Pass
USGS 09010000 |
-999 cfs | 0.3 ft |
| Snotel Site | Snowpack | 24hr Change |
|---|---|---|
|
lakewood 1.7 sw, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-333 |
0.47" | 0" |
|
fcl 1.7 se, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-295 |
2.57" | 0.03" |
|
Jones Pass
SNOTEL 970 |
38" | 0" |
|
parker 3.5 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-DG-292 |
0.37" | 0" |
|
englewood 1.4 n, co
SNOTEL CO-AR-292 |
0.26" | 0" |
|
Loveland Basin
SNOTEL 602 |
43" | 2" |
|
University Camp
SNOTEL 838 |
37" | 5" |
|
conifer 3.2 sw, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-53 |
2.19" | 0.53" |
|
gleneagle 0.4 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-EP-61 |
0.25" | 0" |
|
niwot 2.3 w, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-248 |
1.85" | 0.2" |
|
berthoud 4.4 wsw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-922 |
1.94" | 0.39" |
|
Hourglass Lake
SNOTEL 1122 |
30" | 4" |
|
broomfield 3.2 nne, co
SNOTEL CO-BR-32 |
0.09" | 0" |
|
Niwot
SNOTEL 663 |
28" | 5" |
|
longmont 2.1 n, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-143 |
1.21" | 0.2" |
|
loveland 3.0 nne, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-104 |
2.04" | 0.07" |
|
evergreen
SNOTEL EVGC2 |
2.36" | 0.11" |
|
dillon 2.3 se, co
SNOTEL CO-SU-16 |
16.37" | 0.29" |
|
Phantom Valley
SNOTEL 688 |
26" | 1" |
|
littleton 6.0 w, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-376 |
0.99" | 0.56" |
|
Copeland Lake
SNOTEL 412 |
23" | 4" |
|
fort collins 4.6 n, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-762 |
0.99" | -0.05" |
|
arvada 3.5 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-457 |
0.15" | 0" |
|
fort collins 2.8 w, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-1009 |
2.89" | 0.09" |
|
erie 1.7 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-285 |
0.43" | 0.11" |
|
littleton 6.4 w, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-212 |
0.66" | 0" |
|
highlands ranch 0.6 sse, co
SNOTEL CO-DG-176 |
0.5" | 0" |
|
boulder 2.0 w, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-380 |
1.79" | 0.04" |
|
estes park 1.8 sse, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-987 |
1.4" | 0" |
|
fcl 3.0 sw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-391 |
2.75" | 0.1" |
|
High Lonesome
SNOTEL 1187 |
50" | 2" |
|
boulder 1.5 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-490 |
3.94" | -0.28" |
|
fcl 1.7 sw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-320 |
3.18" | 0.08" |
|
nederland 0.4 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-322 |
6.48" | 1.21" |
|
boulder 1.9 se, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-30 |
0.71" | 0.15" |
|
fort collins 2.8 wsw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-75 |
2.39" | 0.09" |
|
wheat ridge 2.8 wsw, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-290 |
0.62" | 0.2" |
|
wellington 0.8 sw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-1008 |
1.49" | -0.11" |
|
greeley 4.6 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-WE-318 |
1.27" | -0.01" |
|
longmont 3.3 sw, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-507 |
0.06" | 0" |
|
hygiene,co
SNOTEL HGIC2 |
1.19" | 0.06" |
|
lyons 4.8 n, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-50 |
3.09" | 1.2" |
|
Berthoud Summit
SNOTEL 335 |
39" | 5" |
|
fcl 7.9 ene, co
SNOTEL CO-WE-250 |
0.93" | 0" |
|
boulder 4.7 e, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-67 |
0.7" | 0.15" |
|
lafayette 0.4 wsw, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-8 |
0.57" | 0.16" |
|
lafayette 2.5 nw, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-222 |
0.65" | 0.14" |
|
fort lupton 7.4 nw, co
SNOTEL CO-WE-326 |
0.11" | 0" |
|
wellington 0.4 nw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-952 |
1.52" | -0.12" |
|
Bear Lake
SNOTEL 322 |
38" | 3" |
|
boulder 1.6 s, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-14 |
0.87" | 0.18" |
|
thornton 2.1 n, co
SNOTEL CO-AD-100 |
0.62" | 0.2" |
|
loveland 2.8 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-1109 |
2.58" | 0.11" |
|
lake george 7.2 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-PK-39 |
0.23" | 0" |
|
erie 1.7 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-455 |
0.08" | 0" |
|
woodland park 1.1 nnw, co
SNOTEL CO-TL-28 |
0.13" | 0" |
|
denver 3.2 sse, co
SNOTEL CO-DN-49 |
0.56" | 0.17" |
|
fort collins 5.4 wsw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-623 |
0.26" | 0" |
|
black forest 6wnw
SNOTEL BKFC2 |
0.22" | 0" |
|
Crow Creek
SNOTEL 1045 |
13" | 0" |
|
arvada 4.7 w, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-455 |
0.22" | 0" |
|
erie 0.5 se, co
SNOTEL CO-WE-392 |
0.07" | 0" |
|
evergreen 2.0 ese, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-395 |
1.94" | 0.24" |
|
estes park 3.3 ssw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-247 |
1.36" | 1.1" |
|
estes park,co
SNOTEL ETSC2 |
1.8" | 1.1" |
|
lov 3.4 s, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-472 |
3.03" | 0.19" |
|
fort collins 3.9 nne, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-112 |
4.66" | 0.04" |
|
evergreen 3.4 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-CC-22 |
1.81" | 0.17" |
|
cabin creek
SNOTEL GCRC2 |
12.95" | 1.67" |
|
denver 6.1 wsw, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-3 |
0.28" | 0" |
|
arvada 2.1 sse, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-427 |
0.16" | 0" |
|
denver 2.1 ese, co
SNOTEL CO-DN-25 |
0.21" | 0" |
|
nederland 2.61 nne, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-75 |
4.94" | 0.09" |
|
evergreen 1.3 nne, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-424 |
2.29" | 0.07" |
|
fcl 3.0 w, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-284 |
2.17" | 0.13" |
|
Windy Peak
SNOTEL 872 |
16" | 3" |
|
fort collins 0.9 n, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-849 |
2.5" | 0.02" |
|
erie 1.6 ne, co
SNOTEL CO-WE-209 |
0.45" | 0.15" |
|
bailey
SNOTEL BLYC2 |
1.21" | -0.11" |
|
wheat ridge 0.9 wsw, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-343 |
0.2" | 0" |
|
rollinsville 1.1 ssw, co
SNOTEL CO-GL-17 |
10.62" | 1.72" |
|
tabernash 2.7 nw, co
SNOTEL CO-GR-68 |
18.64" | 0.25" |
|
rollinsville 1.7 e, co
SNOTEL CO-GL-25 |
4.14" | 1.3" |
|
boulder 1.8 w, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-491 |
0.37" | 0.21" |
|
niwot 0.7 nnw, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-338 |
0.96" | 0.05" |
|
loveland 2.4 nw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-676 |
2.65" | 0.11" |
|
highlands ranch 3.2 ese, co
SNOTEL CO-DG-74 |
0.48" | 0" |
|
georgetown
SNOTEL GEOC2 |
3.7" | 0.73" |
|
longmont 5.1 e, co
SNOTEL CO-WE-302 |
0.13" | 0" |
|
boulder 4.7 ene, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-220 |
0.75" | 0.11" |
|
laporte 1.4 nw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-761 |
0.87" | 0.11" |
|
windsor 3.0 sse, co
SNOTEL CO-WE-507 |
1.05" | -0.01" |
|
Echo Lake
SNOTEL 936 |
14" | 7" |
|
allens park 1.5 ese, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-22 |
10.71" | 1.74" |
|
nederland 3.7 ene, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-296 |
5.81" | 0.76" |
|
arvada 3.8 w, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-240 |
0.15" | 0" |
|
boulder 1.5 nnw, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-496 |
0.13" | 0" |
|
carr 0.6 s, co
SNOTEL CO-WE-127 |
0.15" | -0.29" |
|
aspen springs amrad
SNOTEL ASIC2 |
2.09" | 0.55" |
|
glen haven 1.2 n, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-868 |
1.54" | 1.08" |
|
red feather 5.9 ne, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-329 |
1.14" | -0.66" |
|
amrad
SNOTEL CNRC2 |
2.32" | 0.25" |
|
estes park 1.8 s, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-767 |
5.11" | 1.2" |
|
Grizzly Peak
SNOTEL 505 |
44" | 4" |
|
buford 4se
SNOTEL BFDW4 |
1.88" | -0.46" |
|
denver/stapleton
SNOTEL DUAC2 |
0.21" | 0" |
|
estes park 1.7 w, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-1115 |
7.25" | 1.18" |
|
Rawah
SNOTEL 1032 |
28" | 3" |
|
aurora 5 se
SNOTEL AUOC2 |
0.25" | 0" |
|
windsor 3.8 wsw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-845 |
0.42" | 0.04" |
|
co st forest st park
SNOTEL CSFC2 |
20.08" | 0.08" |
|
nederland 4.2 e, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-233 |
5.14" | 0.09" |
|
fort collins 3.4 n, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-653 |
0.75" | 0.08" |
|
boulder 2.2 nw, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-452 |
0.86" | 0.14" |
|
fort collins 1.2 nne, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-1137 |
1.71" | 0.04" |
|
laramie 1se
SNOTEL ADFW4 |
2.39" | -0.04" |
|
aurora south
SNOTEL EAGC2 |
0.27" | 0" |
|
fort collins 5.5 s, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-1100 |
2.73" | -0.14" |
|
cheesman
SNOTEL CHEC2 |
0.48" | 0.09" |
|
wellington 3.7 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-918 |
1.24" | -0.04" |
|
cr66
SNOTEL GEYC2 |
1.1" | 0" |
|
fcl 2.2 nw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-273 |
2.7" | -0.19" |
|
loveland 2.3 nw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-854 |
2.65" | 0.11" |
|
broomfield 2.3 ssw, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-72 |
1.43" | 0.12" |
|
fort collins 1.1 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-863 |
1.96" | 0.06" |
|
boulder 2.9 s, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-4 |
0.95" | 0.15" |
|
Glen Cove
SNOTEL 1057 |
10" | 11" |
|
lafayette 0.8 wsw, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-266 |
0.65" | 0.17" |
|
conifer 5.7 sw, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-222 |
0.83" | 0.08" |
|
lyons 0.3 nne, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-146 |
1.74" | 0.62" |
|
denver 0.4 e, co
SNOTEL CO-DN-175 |
0.22" | 0" |
|
loveland 2.7 e, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-687 |
1.57" | 0.07" |
|
loveland 1.5 n, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-40 |
3.07" | 0.06" |
|
nederland 4.8 ene, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-110 |
4.91" | 0.74" |
|
monument 2.1 ene, co
SNOTEL CO-EP-17 |
0.92" | 0.06" |
|
englewood #2
SNOTEL ENLC2 |
0.31" | 0" |
|
longmont 3.0 sw, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-435 |
0.05" | 0" |
|
denver 1.1 ne, co
SNOTEL CO-DN-280 |
0.22" | 0" |
|
boulder 2.1 w, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-437 |
0.37" | 0.21" |
|
cripple creek,co
SNOTEL CRIC2 |
1.69" | 0.94" |
|
south platte river
SNOTEL ANTC2 |
0.21" | 0" |
|
virginia dale 7.2 ssw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-672 |
0.41" | -0.34" |
|
longmont 8.2 ese, co
SNOTEL CO-WE-203 |
1.92" | 0.17" |
|
ralston reservoir
SNOTEL GDNC2 |
0.41" | 0" |
|
highlands ranch 1.1 ene, co
SNOTEL CO-DG-165 |
0.46" | 0" |
|
fort collins
SNOTEL FORC2 |
2.34" | 0.03" |
|
cripple creek 5.1 nw, co
SNOTEL CO-TL-16 |
0.47" | 0" |
|
nunn 1.2 ene, co
SNOTEL CO-WE-345 |
1.07" | -0.14" |
|
fcl 2.55 ne, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-340 |
0.75" | 0.08" |
|
castle rock 1.7 ssw, co
SNOTEL CO-DG-62 |
0.61" | 0" |
|
westminster 1.6 ne, co
SNOTEL CO-AD-153 |
1.11" | 0.19" |
|
evergreen 5 w, co
SNOTEL CO-CC-2 |
1.78" | 0.16" |
|
golden 12.5 nw, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-331 |
5.33" | 0.27" |
|
westminster 2.3 sse, co
SNOTEL CO-AD-225 |
0.61" | 0.35" |
|
aurora 4.0 sse, co
SNOTEL CO-AR-259 |
0.25" | 0" |
|
berthoud
SNOTEL ERTC2 |
0.57" | 0.26" |
|
la porte 10.0 nnw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-567 |
0.8" | 0.08" |
|
fcl 2.3 nw, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-311 |
0.84" | 0.01" |
|
fort collins 3.7 s, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-885 |
1.36" | 0.09" |
|
estes park 10.5 se, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-1019 |
3.02" | 1.15" |
|
ward 4.6 ne, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-202 |
8.03" | 0.91" |
|
grant
SNOTEL GRTC2 |
2.46" | 0.06" |
|
bellvue 5.9 w, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-4 |
0.93" | -0.15" |
|
longmont 1.8 ene, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-352 |
0.08" | 0" |
|
monument 3s
SNOTEL DMDC2 |
0.23" | 0" |
|
aurora 4.2 nnw, co
SNOTEL CO-AD-127 |
0.22" | 0" |
|
highlands ranch 2.5 ssw, co
SNOTEL CO-DG-178 |
0.56" | 0" |
|
laramie 7sse
SNOTEL CMBW4 |
3.19" | -0.12" |
|
fort collins 9.6 se, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-630 |
1.82" | 0.06" |
|
evergreen 6.5 wsw, co
SNOTEL CO-CC-1 |
1.95" | 0.08" |
|
florissant 5.0 n, co
SNOTEL CO-TL-19 |
0.26" | 0" |
|
fort collins 4.9 n, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-1020 |
2.13" | -0.18" |
|
lafayette 2.3 nw, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-290 |
0.1" | 0" |
|
fcl 5.6 e, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-393 |
1.53" | 0.08" |
|
longmont 1.8 e, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-361 |
0.3" | 0.14" |
|
thornton 2.3 sse, co
SNOTEL CO-AD-22 |
0.08" | 0" |
|
aurora 2.1 ese, co
SNOTEL CO-AR-313 |
0.26" | 0" |
|
divide 4nw
SNOTEL DNWC2 |
0.28" | 0" |
|
parker 2.1 wnw, co
SNOTEL CO-DG-146 |
0.32" | 0" |
|
fort collins 4.2 s, co
SNOTEL CO-LR-758 |
2.81" | 0.08" |
|
jamestown 2.5 sse, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-343 |
0.51" | 0.32" |
|
gross reservoir
SNOTEL GRRC2 |
1.58" | 0.25" |
|
denver 8 ssw, co
SNOTEL CO-DN-30 |
0.34" | 0" |
|
firestone
SNOTEL FSNC2 |
0.1" | 0" |
|
greeley 2.6 w, co
SNOTEL CO-WE-171 |
1.77" | -0.1" |
|
lakewood 2.2 ese, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-179 |
0.3" | 0" |
|
evergreen 4.2 sse, co
SNOTEL CO-JF-157 |
2.01" | 0.7" |
|
denver 2.6 ssw, co
SNOTEL CO-DN-231 |
0.22" | 0" |
|
nederland 5.8 e, co
SNOTEL CO-BO-57 |
7.67" | -0.38" |
| Campground | Campsites | Reservations | Toilets | Showers | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Park | 54 | 6,678 ft | |||
| Narrows | 5 | 6,470 ft | |||
| Ansel Watrous | 16 | 5,839 ft | |||
| Stove Prairie | 9 | 6,068 ft | |||
| Kelly Dahl | 46 | 8,615 ft | |||
| Pinewood Reservoir | 22 | 6,604 ft | |||
| Flatiron Reservoir | None | 5,483 ft | |||
| Hermit Park Open Space | None | 8,313 ft | |||
| Reverends Ridge - Golden Gate State Park | 106 | 9,105 ft | |||
| Lower Narrows | 8 | 6,470 ft | |||
| Dutch George | 20 | 6,520 ft | |||
| Kelly Flats | 29 | 6,751 ft | |||
| Meadow Park | None | 5,349 ft | |||
| Peaceful Valley | 17 | 8,552 ft |
| Ski Area | Snowpack | Air Temperature | 5 Day Forecast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Echo Mountain Park | 14" | 30° | 1.81" |
| Ski Estes Park (Hidden Valley) | 38" | 30° | 4.17" |
| Eldora Mountain Resort | 22" | 30° | 3.32" |
| River Run | Streamflow | Length | Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middle Narrows | 54.5cfs | 1.0 Mi | IV to V- |
| Main Section | 47.8cfs | 3.0 Mi | IV+ to V |
| Filter Plant | 3.92cfs | None Mi | II to III+ |
| Filter Plant | 3.92cfs | None Mi | II to III+ |
| Upper South Boulder Creek | 5.57cfs | None Mi | V+ |
| Upper South Boulder Creek | 5.57cfs | None Mi | V+ |
| Upper North Fork | 0.2cfs | 9.0 Mi | IV+ to V- |
| Gnar Section | 181.0cfs | 1.0 Mi | V+ |
| Lower Narrows | 54.5cfs | 0.5 Mi | V- to V+ |
| SSV - Confluence to Picnic Grounds | 15.0cfs | 5.0 Mi | V to V+ |
| Tunnel 1 to Golden Whitewater Park | 41.4cfs | None Mi | III- to III+ |
| Golden Whitewater Park | 3.92cfs | 0.75 Mi | II+ |
| October Hole | 15.0cfs | None Mi | II |
| NSV | 15.0cfs | 13.0 Mi | V+ |
| Upper Narrows | 54.5cfs | 0.5 Mi | V- to V+ |
| Rustic (Upper) | 54.5cfs | 20.0 Mi | III to III+ |
| Lower Boulder Canyon | 40.2cfs | None Mi | IV- to V- |
| Upper Clear Creek | 41.4cfs | 2.5 Mi | IV- to IV+ |
| Idledale to Morrison | 21.3cfs | 3.0 Mi | IV+ to V |
| Steven's Gulch to Bridges Take Out | 54.5cfs | 12.0 Mi | III- to IV+ |
| Lower North Fork | 54.5cfs | 11.0 Mi | III |