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Whitewater guide

Best time to go whitewater rafting, river by river

Month-by-month typical flows for the Colorado, Snake, Salmon, Rogue, Gauley, New, Kennebec, Ocoee, Yough, Rio Grande and more, checked against American Whitewater’s ranges, plus each river’s release season.

By LakeCharts USA · Updated November 4, 2026 · Live tables rebuild with each data refresh

Short answer: in the West, rafting follows snowmelt. Most Rocky Mountain and Idaho rivers peak in May and June and settle into friendlier flows in July and August. In the East, rain-fed rivers run best in spring, and the dam-release rivers (the Gauley, Kennebec, Dead, Ocoee, Upper Yough, Deerfield and others) run on the calendar the dam owner publishes, from spring through mid-October. The tables below show, for every rafting run on LakeCharts, the typical flow in each month and whether that flow is too low, low, good or high by American Whitewater’s range for the same gauge.

How to read the month tables

  • The number is the median flow for that month from the USGS gauge’s daily statistics, covering every year the gauge has recorded. It’s a typical year, not a forecast. Big snow years run higher and drought years lower.
  • The color compares that typical flow with American Whitewater’s range on the same gauge: grey = too low, orange = low, green = good (AW’s medium range), blue = high, red = above AW’s maximum.
  • Dam-release runs are marked. Their monthly median mixes release days with non-release days, so use the release calendar for those (see dam release rafting schedules).
  • New to reading flows? Start with what river flow is best for rafting.

West: Colorado River basin

River / sectionAW range (cfs)JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Colorado River: Shoshone (Shoshone Power Plant to Grizzly Creek)
Class III–IV · live page		500–10,0008508609111,5104,0306,0702,0601,5001,3301,2201,020885
Colorado River: Pumphouse to State Bridge
Class III · live page		900–5,8004844845328341,3901,6701,0801,020897760573497
Colorado River: Gore Canyon
Class IV–V · live page		750–2,500 (good 1,050–2,000)4844845328341,3901,6701,0801,020897760573497
Colorado River: Westwater Canyon
Class III–IV · live page		2,000–30,000 (good 5,000–12,500)2,9502,9703,2604,39012,10015,4004,6903,4003,6303,8303,5803,200
Colorado River: Loma to Westwater (Ruby–Horsethief)
Class II · live page		1,000–50,000 (good 4,000–15,000)2,9502,9703,2604,39012,10015,4004,6903,4003,6303,8303,5803,200
Colorado River: Fisher Towers / Daily (Cisco to Moab)
Class I–III · live page		1,500–15,000 (good 3,200–7,000)2,7702,9103,2306,40014,60019,6006,3403,4703,4503,7103,4802,990
Clear Creek: Lawson to Idaho Springs
Class III–IV · live page		200–1,500 (good 500–800)2826273815560331412776554131
Clear Creek: Idaho Springs Town Run
Class III · live page		225–1,200 (good 400–700)2826273815560331412776554131
Snake River: Alpine Canyon (West Table to Sheep Gulch)
Class III · live page		1,500–30,000 (good 5,000–15,000)1,4901,4901,5402,7607,71011,9007,2404,9503,9902,0101,7401,600
Snake River: Sheep Gulch to Palisades Reservoir
Class III+ · live page		1,500–15,000 (good 5,000–10,000)1,4901,4901,5402,7607,71011,9007,2404,9503,9902,0101,7401,600
Animas River: Durango town run (32nd St. to Purple Cliffs)
Class III · live page		1,000–6,0001901922467241,9702,570800447344304256200
Rio Grande: Taos Box (John Dunn Bridge to Taos Junction Bridge)
Class III–IV · live page		600–5,000 (good 1,200–2,500)4685296265951,100956375303270305485480
Rio Grande: Racecourse (Taos Junction Bridge to Quartzite)
Class II · live page		200–3,0004685296265951,100956375303270305485480
Green River: Gates of Lodore (Lodore to Echo Park)
Class II–IV · live page		1,100–20,000 (good 1,900–15,000)1,8801,7701,1101,2901,7801,7101,6501,7201,7201,4501,5001,850
Green River: Flaming Gorge to Lodore
Class I–II (III) · live page		200–5,0001,8801,7701,1101,2901,7801,7101,6501,7201,7201,4501,5001,850
Yampa River: Deerlodge Park to Echo Park (Yampa Canyon)
Class II–III (IV) · live page		1,300–25,000 (good 2,700–20,000)3564001,0102,6407,5306,550633250222397467353

West: Idaho, Montana and the Pacific Northwest

River / sectionAW range (cfs)JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Salmon River: Lower Salmon: Riggins area (Carey Creek to Riggins)
Class III–IV · live page		1,000–100,0003,9004,1504,98010,50030,40036,10010,3004,9004,2204,6504,7004,150
Salmon River: Riggins to White Bird
Class III · live page		3,000–80,0003,9004,1504,98010,50030,40036,10010,3004,9004,2204,6504,7004,150
Middle Fork Salmon River: Boundary Creek to Main Salmon
Class III–IV · live page		700–10,000 (good 1,000–5,000)4824775591,4504,4303,6001,230739615585578507
Lochsa River: Fish Creek to Split Creek
Class III–IV · live page		1,200–25,000 (good 3,000–13,500)8669641,5604,4809,6706,8801,540560450530801837
Lochsa River: Indian Grave Creek to Wilderness Gateway
Class IV · live page		400–25,000 (good 2,500–10,000)8669641,5604,4809,6706,8801,540560450530801837
Payette River: Main Payette (Banks to Beehive Bend)
Class III+ · live page		800–12,000 (good 2,000–4,000)1,1401,2701,9204,8507,2007,3003,4703,0801,8101,0001,0201,090
North Fork Payette River: Smiths Ferry to Banks
Class V · live page		400–3,000 (good 1,500–2,500)3934286171,5701,8002,1601,6501,7601,280319318359
Klamath River: Happy Camp to Coon Creek
Class III+ (IV) · live page		700–8,0003,6104,2004,6805,1104,1902,3801,2201,2301,4701,6802,1703,000
Klamath River: Sarah Totten to Happy Camp
Class III · live page		700–8,0003,6104,2004,6805,1104,1902,3801,2201,2301,4701,6802,1703,000
Wenatchee River: Leavenworth to Cashmere
Class III+ · live page		1,500–20,000 (good 6,000–14,000)1,2001,1501,4003,2407,6007,8303,5001,0706487251,3501,300
Skykomish River: Index to Split Rock (Boulder Drop)
Class III+ (IV) · live page		700–20,000 (good 1,500–5,000)2,7502,5202,6703,9106,4206,1002,5209098421,5403,4603,050
McKenzie River: Finn Rock to Leaburg Dam
Class II (III) · live page		600–12,000 (good 2,000–5,000)4,7904,0604,1004,5404,5203,2402,4002,2002,1402,3503,3904,470
McKenzie River: Frissell to Finn Rock
Class II+ · live page		600–10,000 (good 2,000–5,000)4,7904,0604,1004,5404,5203,2402,4002,2002,1402,3503,3904,470
Gallatin River: Mad Mile (Greek Creek to Forest Service take-out)
Class III–IV · live page		450–4,000 (good 900–2,000)2962932974361,6702,7901,070560462432372304
Gallatin River: W. Fork Gallatin to Greek Creek
Class II–III · live page		500–4,000 (good 900–2,000)2962932974361,6702,7901,070560462432372304
Clark Fork: Alberton Gorge (Cyr to Tarkio)
Class III+ · live page		1,200–20,000 (good 2,500–7,000)2,7402,9703,6507,86016,70019,5006,1702,8102,7603,1603,2802,980
White Salmon River: BZ Corner to Northwestern Park
Class III+ (V) · live page		450–2,500 (good 1,000–1,800)1,1301,3001,3801,4501,5101,200845660605593700885
White Salmon River: Green Truss
Class V · live page		700–1,700 (good 900–1,300)1,1301,3001,3801,4501,5101,200845660605593700885
Middle Fork Flathead River: John Stevens Canyon (Moccasin Creek to West Glacier)
Class III+ · live page		700–17,000 (good 3,000–6,000)5865506942,6108,9609,2303,1401,150758727856706
Rogue River: Wild Rogue (Grave Creek to Foster Bar)
Class II–III (IV) · live page		1,200–30,000 (good 2,500–10,000)6,5506,6906,6606,1605,0503,4702,0902,0701,7301,7102,3405,070
Merced River: El Portal (El Cap Meadow to Hwy 120/140 junction)
Class III–IV · live page		400–2,4001322013521,1102,0901,5403737634304985
Merced River: Redbud to Briceburg
Class IV · live page		400–8,0001322013521,1102,0901,5403737634304985
Deschutes River: Warm Springs to Sherars Falls (Maupin)
Class III · live page		3,000–8,0005,9406,3406,5606,7606,0705,1404,5204,3504,4204,6305,1405,500

East: Appalachians and New England

River / sectionAW range (cfs)JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Pigeon River: Upper Pigeon (Waterville to Hartford) (dam releases)
Class II–III+ · live page		300–4,500 (good 700–1,600)1,1701,3801,4301,260948709616546381422528864
Nantahala River: Nantahala Gorge (Power Plant to Wesser) (dam releases)
Class II+ (III) · live page		450–2,000 (good 550–1,000)591467503513465354320340316351324483
French Broad River: Section 9 (Barnard to Hot Springs)
Class III–IV · live page		700–7,000 (good 1,250–3,500)2,3602,6402,8302,8502,2101,8101,5001,3901,1701,2501,4802,010
Gauley River: Lower Gauley (Woods Ferry to Swiss) (dam releases)
Class III–IV (V) · live page		750–15,000 (good 1,500–7,000)2,6603,3203,9001,5902,1009747496511,1901,1202,6102,590
New River: New River Gorge (Cunard to Fayette Station)
Class III–IV · live page		500–15,250 (good 1,000–6,600)7,88010,30012,10010,6008,9705,1503,6702,9702,3102,5503,7206,310
Lehigh River: Lehigh Gorge, upper (White Haven to Rockport)
Class II+ · live page		500–5,500 (good 725–2,500)9989801,4201,4101,2608726195404346389331,280
Kennebec River: Kennebec Gorge (Harris Station to Carry Brook) (dam releases)
Class III–IV · live page		350–13,0002,5002,7002,3002,2003,6102,7902,4902,3002,1601,7901,5401,810
Kennebec River: Lower Kennebec (Carry Brook to The Forks)
Class II–III · live page		2,400–20,0002,5002,7002,3002,2003,6102,7902,4902,3002,1601,7901,5401,810
Dead River: Spencer Falls (Grand Falls) to West Forks
Class II–III (IV) · live page		800–13,0007455755353511,250692666408382568594560
Deerfield River: Fife Brook (Bear Swamp to Zoar Gap)
Class II (III) · live page		700–5,0001,0501,0301,1501,520790476353381381467705990
Tuckasegee River: Dillsboro to Barkers Creek
Class II–III · live page		500–5,000 (good 800–1,500)937912959875788557512456397479491718

Typical flows: USGS daily statistics (median for each calendar day, then the middle value for the month). Ranges: American Whitewater, linked from each river page. Live data as of Nov 4, 2026.

River by river

Colorado River (Glenwood, Kremmling, Westwater, Moab)

  • Shoshone (Shoshone Power Plant to Grizzly Creek): typical flows in AW’s runnable range in every month. Shoshone flow is set by upstream reservoirs and the Shoshone hydro plant’s water right as well as snowmelt; the Shoshone stretch runs commercially through most of the summer. Check the live page before you go. (source)
  • Pumphouse to State Bridge: typical flows in AW’s runnable range in May, Jun, Jul, Aug. The Upper Colorado below Kremmling is regulated by upstream reservoirs (Granby, Williams Fork, Green Mountain via the Blue), so it usually stays runnable for Pumphouse trips well into late summer. Check the live page before you go. (source)
  • Gore Canyon: typical flows in AW’s good range in May, Jun, Jul. The Upper Colorado below Kremmling is regulated by upstream reservoirs (Granby, Williams Fork, Green Mountain via the Blue), so it usually stays runnable for Pumphouse trips well into late summer. Check the live page before you go. (source)
  • Westwater Canyon: typical flows in AW’s good range in May. Westwater Canyon is a Class III–IV desert canyon run; private trips need a BLM permit. Flow is driven by snowmelt and upstream reservoirs, so check the live page before you go. (source)
  • Loma to Westwater (Ruby–Horsethief): typical flows in AW’s good range in Apr, May, Jul. Westwater Canyon is a Class III–IV desert canyon run; private trips need a BLM permit. Flow is driven by snowmelt and upstream reservoirs, so check the live page before you go. (source)
  • Fisher Towers / Daily (Cisco to Moab): typical flows in AW’s good range in Mar, Apr, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov. The Daily (Fisher Towers) section near Moab runs commercially most of the year. Cataract Canyon below the Green River confluence is a multi-day trip that needs a Canyonlands National Park permit. (source)

Idaho, Wyoming and Montana

  • Snake River: Alpine Canyon (West Table to Sheep Gulch): typical flows sit in American Whitewater’s good range in May, Jun, Jul. Snake River Canyon flow is set by releases from Jackson Lake Dam (Bureau of Reclamation) plus tributaries, so it stays runnable through summer. Check the live page before you go. (source)
  • Salmon River: Lower Salmon: Riggins area (Carey Creek to Riggins): typical flows sit in American Whitewater’s runnable range in every month. Flow on this section is natural (snowmelt and rain), not set by a dam release schedule, so check the live page before you go. Commercial rafting season depends on runoff. (source)
  • Middle Fork Salmon River: Boundary Creek to Main Salmon: typical flows sit in American Whitewater’s good range in Apr, May, Jun, Jul. The Middle Fork is a permitted multi-day wilderness trip (Forest Service lottery for private trips); flow is natural snowmelt. (source)
  • Lochsa River: Fish Creek to Split Creek: typical flows sit in American Whitewater’s good range in Apr, May, Jun. Flow on this section is natural (snowmelt and rain), not set by a dam release schedule, so check the live page before you go. Commercial rafting season depends on runoff. (source)
  • Payette River: Main Payette (Banks to Beehive Bend): typical flows sit in American Whitewater’s good range in Jul, Aug. The Main Payette below Banks is fed by the North Fork (Cascade Dam releases) and the South Fork; it usually stays runnable for commercial trips through summer. Check the live page before you go. (source)
  • Clark Fork: Alberton Gorge (Cyr to Tarkio): typical flows sit in American Whitewater’s good range in Jan, Feb, Mar, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec. Flow on this section is natural (snowmelt and rain), not set by a dam release schedule, so check the live page before you go. Commercial rafting season depends on runoff. (source)
  • Middle Fork Flathead River: John Stevens Canyon (Moccasin Creek to West Glacier): typical flows sit in American Whitewater’s good range in Jul. Flow on this section is natural (snowmelt and rain), not set by a dam release schedule, so check the live page before you go. Commercial rafting season depends on runoff. (source)
  • Gallatin River: Mad Mile (Greek Creek to Forest Service take-out): typical flows sit in American Whitewater’s good range in May, Jul. Flow on this section is natural (snowmelt and rain), not set by a dam release schedule, so check the live page before you go. Commercial rafting season depends on runoff. (source)

Oregon, Washington and California

  • Rogue River: Wild Rogue (Grave Creek to Foster Bar): typical flows sit in American Whitewater’s good range in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Dec. The Wild and Scenic Rogue is fed by Lost Creek Lake releases (Army Corps) plus tributaries, so it stays runnable through summer; the Wild section needs a permit in the main season. (source)
  • Deschutes River: Warm Springs to Sherars Falls (Maupin): typical flows sit in American Whitewater’s runnable range in every month. Lower Deschutes flow is regulated by the Pelton Round Butte dams upstream, so it stays runnable year-round. Check the live page before you go. (source)
  • McKenzie River: Finn Rock to Leaburg Dam: typical flows sit in American Whitewater’s good range in every month. The McKenzie is fed by springs and regulated in part by upstream reservoirs (Cougar, Blue River), so it stays runnable much of the year. Check the live page before you go. (source)
  • White Salmon River: BZ Corner to Northwestern Park: typical flows sit in American Whitewater’s good range in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun. Flow on this section is natural (snowmelt and rain), not set by a dam release schedule, so check the live page before you go. Commercial rafting season depends on runoff. (source)
  • Wenatchee River: Leavenworth to Cashmere: typical flows sit in American Whitewater’s good range in May, Jun. Flow on this section is natural (snowmelt and rain), not set by a dam release schedule, so check the live page before you go. Commercial rafting season depends on runoff. (source)
  • Skykomish River: Index to Split Rock (Boulder Drop): typical flows sit in American Whitewater’s good range in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, Jul, Oct, Nov, Dec. Flow on this section is natural (snowmelt and rain), not set by a dam release schedule, so check the live page before you go. Commercial rafting season depends on runoff. (source)
  • Klamath River: Happy Camp to Coon Creek: typical flows sit in American Whitewater’s runnable range in every month. Flow on this section is natural (snowmelt and rain), not set by a dam release schedule, so check the live page before you go. Commercial rafting season depends on runoff. (source)
  • Merced River: El Portal (El Cap Meadow to Hwy 120/140 junction): typical flows sit in American Whitewater’s runnable range in Apr, May, Jun. Flow on this section is natural (snowmelt and rain), not set by a dam release schedule, so check the live page before you go. Commercial rafting season depends on runoff. (source)

Southwest and Green River

  • Rio Grande: Taos Box (John Dunn Bridge to Taos Junction Bridge): typical flows rarely sit in American Whitewater’s good range, so timing comes down to the release schedule or a wet spell. Flow on this section is natural (snowmelt and rain), not set by a dam release schedule, so check the live page before you go. Commercial rafting season depends on runoff. (source)
  • Animas River: Durango town run (32nd St. to Purple Cliffs): typical flows sit in American Whitewater’s runnable range in May, Jun. Flow on this section is natural (snowmelt and rain), not set by a dam release schedule, so check the live page before you go. Commercial rafting season depends on runoff. (source)
  • Green River: Gates of Lodore (Lodore to Echo Park): typical flows rarely sit in American Whitewater’s good range, so timing comes down to the release schedule or a wet spell. Flow is set by Flaming Gorge Dam releases (Bureau of Reclamation). Gates of Lodore trips need a Dinosaur National Monument permit. (source)
  • Yampa River: Deerlodge Park to Echo Park (Yampa Canyon): typical flows sit in American Whitewater’s good range in May, Jun. The Yampa is one of the last free-flowing rivers in the Colorado system, so its season is short (spring snowmelt). Trips need a Dinosaur National Monument permit. (source)
  • Clear Creek: Lawson to Idaho Springs: typical flows sit in American Whitewater’s good range in Jun. Flow on this section is natural (snowmelt and rain), not set by a dam release schedule, so check the live page before you go. Commercial rafting season depends on runoff. (source)

West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland

  • Gauley River: Lower Gauley (Woods Ferry to Swiss): typical flows sit in American Whitewater’s good range in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Nov, Dec. The Lower Gauley runs on the same fall Summersville Dam releases as the Upper (2026: September 11 to October 18), and on rain the rest of the year. The Corps has not published 2027 dates yet. (source)
  • New River: New River Gorge (Cunard to Fayette Station): typical flows sit in American Whitewater’s good range in Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec. The New River has trips almost year-round; the commercial season runs April through October (National Park Service). (source)
  • Lehigh River: Lehigh Gorge, upper (White Haven to Rockport): typical flows sit in American Whitewater’s good range in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Nov, Dec. The Army Corps (Philadelphia District) schedules whitewater release weekends from F.E. Walter Dam. In 2026 it held 24 whitewater releases, ending with the October 8–12 drawdown. 2027 dates are not published yet. (source)

Southeast

  • Hiwassee: TVA scheduled 129 Apalachia recreation release days in 2026 (spring through October 31). (source)
  • Nantahala River: Nantahala Gorge (Power Plant to Wesser): typical flows sit in American Whitewater’s good range in Jan. Duke Energy publishes a Nantahala main-stem recreation calendar (generation releases, typically 9 or 10 am to 3–6 pm) plus a handful of Upper Nantahala/Cascades bypass releases each spring, summer and September. (source)
  • Pigeon River: Upper Pigeon (Waterville to Hartford): typical flows sit in American Whitewater’s good range in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Dec. Duke Energy’s 2026 Walters recreation calendar schedules 1,200 cfs releases (12 pm–6 pm, or 2 pm–6 pm on some days) through the summer season; outside the calendar, flows depend on rain. (source)
  • French Broad River: Section 9 (Barnard to Hot Springs): typical flows sit in American Whitewater’s good range in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Oct, Nov, Dec. Free-flowing (no scheduled releases): runnable most of the year when rain keeps the Marshall gauge in range; commercial trips mostly run spring through fall. (source)
  • Tuckasegee River: Dillsboro to Barkers Creek: typical flows sit in American Whitewater’s good range in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr. The Tuckasegee below Dillsboro is partly regulated by Duke Energy hydro releases upstream, so flow can change during the day. Check the live page before you go. (source)

Maine, Massachusetts and New York

  • Kennebec River: Kennebec Gorge (Harris Station to Carry Brook): typical flows sit in American Whitewater’s runnable range in every month. Flows through the Kennebec Gorge are set by Harris Station releases. Brookfield publishes a season schedule and a short-term schedule on SafeWaters; flows can change without notice. (source)
  • Dead River: Spencer Falls (Grand Falls) to West Forks: typical flows sit in American Whitewater’s runnable range in May. The Dead runs on scheduled releases from Flagstaff Lake (Long Falls Dam, Brookfield Renewable). 2026 big-water releases were May 9, 16, 24, 30, June 6, Sept 6, Sept 19 and Oct 3 (3,500 to 6,000+ cfs); smaller summer weekend releases ran in June, July and August. 2027 dates are usually posted in late winter. (source)
  • Deerfield River: Fife Brook (Bear Swamp to Zoar Gap): typical flows sit in American Whitewater’s runnable range in Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Nov, Dec. The Fife Brook section runs on scheduled releases from Fife Brook Dam (Brookfield Renewable), mostly weekends and many summer weekdays. (source)

Colorado and California state-gauge rivers

These runs are measured on gauges operated by Colorado’s Division of Water Resources and California’s CDEC rather than the USGS, so they don’t have the long-term USGS monthly statistics used in the tables above. Their live pages show current flow and, where American Whitewater sets a range on that exact gauge, a Too low / Good / High rating.

Colorado

Typical season: the Arkansas and Poudre peak with snowmelt in late May and June; the Arkansas is boosted through mid-August by the Voluntary Flow Management Program.

California

Water temperature

Spring snowmelt water is cold even on a hot day. The National Center for Cold Water Safety recommends thermal protection (a wetsuit or drysuit) whenever the water is below 70°F (coldwatersafety.org). River pages show the gauge’s water temperature where one is measured.

FAQ

What is the best month for whitewater rafting?

It depends on the river. Snowmelt rivers in Colorado, Idaho and Montana usually peak in May and June and are friendliest in July and August. Rain-fed Eastern rivers run best in spring, and dam-release rivers follow their published release calendars, mostly spring to mid-October.

When is the Colorado River best for rafting?

Typical flows on the Glenwood, Westwater and Moab sections peak in late May and June during snowmelt. The tables on this page show which months fall in American Whitewater’s good range on each section.

When is Gauley Season?

Gauley Season begins the first weekend after Labor Day and runs six weekends (National Park Service). In 2026 the Army Corps released water from Summersville Dam from September 11 to October 18. The 2027 dates are not published yet.

Is rafting better in high water or low water?

High water means bigger waves and stronger currents; low water means more rocks and slower trips. For a first trip, a flow in the middle of American Whitewater’s range on an easier section is a good choice. Outfitters decide whether to run on any given day.

Where do the monthly flows come from?

From the USGS daily statistics for each gauge: the median flow for each calendar day across all the years the gauge has recorded. We take the middle value for each month.

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