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.

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Area Hydrology

Gauge Streamflow Stage
Cache La Poudre R Ab Boxelder C
USGS 06752280 		258 cfs 3.2 ft
St. Vrain Creek At Lyons
USGS 06724000 		320 cfs 4.0 ft
North Clear Creek Above Mouth Nr Blackhawk
USGS 06718550 		17 cfs 4.1 ft
Left Hand Creek At Hover Road Near Longmont
USGS 06724970 		6 cfs 5.7 ft
Big Thompson River At Mouth
USGS 06744000 		47 cfs 1.4 ft
Keystone Gulch Near Dillon
USGS 09047700 		8 cfs 2.1 ft
South Platte River At Englewood
USGS 06711565 		109 cfs 1.7 ft
Colorado River Bl Shadow Mountain Reservoir
USGS 09015000 		518 cfs 3.0 ft
St. Vrain Creek At Mouth
USGS 06731000 		155 cfs 2.0 ft
South Platte River At Henderson
USGS 06720500 		480 cfs 4.2 ft
Snotel Site Snowpack 24hr Change

Outdoor Recreation

Campground Campsites Reservations Toilets Showers Elevation
Kelly Flats 29 6,751 ft
Meadow Park None 5,349 ft
Lower Narrows 8 6,470 ft
Flatiron Reservoir None 5,483 ft
Narrows 5 6,470 ft
Peaceful Valley 17 8,552 ft
Reverends Ridge - Golden Gate State Park 106 9,105 ft
Stove Prairie 9 6,068 ft
Ansel Watrous 16 5,839 ft
Hermit Park Open Space None 8,313 ft
Mountain Park 54 6,678 ft
Dutch George 20 6,520 ft
Pinewood Reservoir 22 6,604 ft
Kelly Dahl 46 8,615 ft
Ski Area Snowpack Air Temperature 5 Day Forecast
Eldora Mountain Resort 24" 54° 0"
Ski Estes Park (Hidden Valley) 42" 54° 0"
Echo Mountain Park 18" 52° 0"
River Run Streamflow Length Class
Main Section 55.3cfs 3.0 Mi IV+ to V
Upper South Boulder Creek 5.0cfs None Mi V+
Lower Boulder Canyon 42.0cfs None Mi IV- to V-
Filter Plant 3.92cfs None Mi II to III+
Lower North Fork 182.0cfs 11.0 Mi III
Upper Narrows 182.0cfs 0.5 Mi V- to V+
Middle Narrows 182.0cfs 1.0 Mi IV to V-
Gnar Section 405.0cfs 1.0 Mi V+
Filter Plant 3.92cfs None Mi II to III+
Lower Narrows 182.0cfs 0.5 Mi V- to V+
SSV - Confluence to Picnic Grounds 37.8cfs 5.0 Mi V to V+
Golden Whitewater Park 3.92cfs 0.75 Mi II+
Idledale to Morrison 11.2cfs 3.0 Mi IV+ to V
Tunnel 1 to Golden Whitewater Park 60.7cfs None Mi III- to III+
Upper Clear Creek 60.7cfs 2.5 Mi IV- to IV+
October Hole 37.8cfs None Mi II
Rustic (Upper) 182.0cfs 20.0 Mi III to III+
Steven's Gulch to Bridges Take Out 182.0cfs 12.0 Mi III- to IV+
NSV 37.8cfs 13.0 Mi V+
Upper North Fork 27.7cfs 9.0 Mi IV+ to V-
Upper South Boulder Creek 5.0cfs None Mi V+