Kayak Love

South Dakota · river

Beaver Creek near Buffalo Gap

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

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Caution

Paddle Score, from live wind and water conditions

Photograph taken near Beaver Creek near Buffalo Gap
Nearby on Wikimedia Commons — BuffaloGapSD HistoricDistrict.jpg by Magicpiano, CC BY-SA 4.0. Taken within 10km of this location — it may not show the launch itself.

Wind

21 mph

gusting to 25 mph

Air temp

84°F

16% chance of rain

River flow

4.91 cfs

normal for this date

Wind, next 12 hours

mph
Hourly wind forecast
HourWind (mph)Gusts (mph)
5p1316
6p1924
7p1425
8p1430
9p1532
10p1531
11p1428
12a1226
1a1122
2a716
3a711
4a35

Is this flow normal for July 30?

Today's 4.91 cfs is 53% above the median for this date — which counts as normal water here.

The median flow on this date is 3 cfs, across 86 years of USGS record at this gauge. Whether that is runnable depends on the stretch — this is context, not a recommendation.

Why this score

  • Wind21 mph — stay off open water-55

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