Kayak Love

South Dakota · river

Elk Creek near Rapid City

USGS monitoring location. Launch access and paddling suitability have not been verified.

Weather comparison · not a safety rating

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River reading unavailable

Current river flow is unavailable or over an hour old. Weather alone cannot confirm conditions on this water.

Weather observation: Mon, 19 Oct 2026 16:30:00 GMT.

River observation: unavailable.

Page checked: Mon, 19 Oct 2026 16:42:00 GMT. Readings older than one hour are not used for the current score.

Wind

9 mph

gusting to 13 mph

Air temp

54°F

0% chance of rain

River flow

Unavailable

USGS has not returned a fresh reading. See the gauge link below.

Weather outlook

Sunday · 97

  • Mon

    72

  • Tue

    95

  • Wed

    92

  • Thu

    47

  • Fri

    19

  • Sat

    24

  • Sun

    97

    Best

Compares forecast wind, air temperature and rain. Does not assess river flow, swell, currents, water temperature or launch access. All times are local to this location.

Wind, next 12 hours

mph
Hourly wind forecast
HourWind (mph)Gusts (mph)
10a911
11a1015
12p1215
1p1317
2p1416
3p1517
4p1417
5p1419
6p1119
7p1017
8p915
9p1016

Current score unavailable

    We don't have launch notes for this one

    This page is built from the USGS gauge at this location, and uses available public readings. 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.

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