California · river
Gibraltar Dam Div Weir A Gibraltar Dam
Live conditions for this USGS-monitored stretch of water, updated every 15 minutes.
Fair
Paddle Score, from live wind and water conditions

Wind
15 mph
gusting to 19 mph
Air temp
102°F
2% chance of rain
River flow
0.2 cfs
low for this date
Best day to paddle this week
Wednesday · 98
Today
25
102°
Fri
45
93°
Sat
96
88°
Sun
95
87°
Mon
95
84°
Tue
96
82°
Wed
98
87°
Best
Scored from each day's peak forecast wind, heat, and rain chance — river flow isn't forecastable, so check back before you load the boat.
Wind, next 12 hours
mph| Hour | Wind (mph) | Gusts (mph) |
|---|---|---|
| 1p | 15 | 17 |
| 2p | 15 | 19 |
| 3p | 16 | 22 |
| 4p | 22 | 28 |
| 5p | 20 | 29 |
| 6p | 19 | 30 |
| 7p | 16 | 26 |
| 8p | 13 | 19 |
| 9p | 9 | 14 |
| 10p | 6 | 9 |
| 11p | 5 | 5 |
| 12a | 4 | 5 |
Is this flow normal for September 10?
Today's 0.2 cfs is 97% below the median for this date — which counts as low water here.
The median flow on this date is 7 cfs, across 54 years of USGS record at this gauge. Whether that is runnable depends on the stretch — this is context, not a recommendation.
Why this score
- Wind — 15 mph — hard work, whitecaps likely-29
- Heat — 102°F — bring more water than you think-15
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.
- Paddler discussion on Reddit
Trip reports and local warnings, straight from the source
- Search American Whitewater
Rapid classifications and gauge-linked run descriptions
- Satellite view and access roads
Check parking, put-ins, and what the banks actually look like
- Video from this water
The fastest way to see the character of a run before you drive
- USGS gauge 11121900
Full hydrograph, historical flows, and station metadata
Nearby water
- Gibraltar Dam Release Weir A Gibraltar Damunder 1 mi
- Santa Ynez River below Gibraltar Dam near Santa Barbaraunder 1 mi
- Mission Creek A Rocky Nook Park A Santa Barbara6 mi
- Mission Creek near Mission Street near Santa Barbara7 mi
- Mission Creek below West Gutierrez Street Branch A Santa Barbara8 mi
- San Jose Creek near Goleta8 mi