Kayak Love

South Dakota · river

Bear Gulch near Hayward

Live conditions for this USGS-monitored stretch of water, updated every 15 minutes.

77of 100

Good

Paddle Score, from live wind and water conditions

Wind

14 mph

gusting to 18 mph

Air temp

80°F

28% chance of rain

River flow

0.94 cfs

normal for this date

Wind, next 12 hours

mph
Hourly wind forecast
HourWind (mph)Gusts (mph)
4p915
5p1620
6p1824
7p1723
8p1323
9p1426
10p1934
11p1425
12a1017
1a1116
2a1114
3a1214

Is this flow normal for July 30?

Today's 0.94 cfs is 33% below the median for this date — which counts as normal water here.

The median flow on this date is 1 cfs, across 8 years of USGS record at this gauge. Whether that is runnable depends on the stretch — this is context, not a recommendation.

Why this score

  • Wind14 mph — hard work, whitecaps likely-23

We don't have launch notes for this one

This page is built from the USGS gauge at this location, so the flow and weather are real — but we haven't verified where to put in, what the hazards are, or whether this stretch is legal or sensible to paddle. We'd rather say that than invent it. The links below are where to find out.

We also don't have a verified safe-flow range here, so the Paddle Score reflects weather only. Judge the flow number against local knowledge, not against our score.

Do your own homework

We show you live conditions. For local knowledge — where to put in, what the hazards are, whether it's worth the drive — here's where paddlers actually talk about this water. We don't vet these sources; check the dates and judge for yourself.

Nearby water

All paddling spots in South Dakota