Kayak Love

Colorado · river

North Fork Cache La Poudre River Blw Halligan Reservoir near Va Dale

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

72of 100

Good

Paddle Score, from live wind and water conditions

Wind

15 mph

gusting to 20 mph

Air temp

87°F

4% chance of rain

River flow

0.16 cfs

very low for this date

Best day to paddle this week

Friday · 86

  • Today

    57

  • Tue

    39

  • Wed

    56

  • Thu

    61

  • Fri

    86

    Best

  • Sat

    58

  • Sun

    24

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
Hourly wind forecast
HourWind (mph)Gusts (mph)
2p1718
3p1218
4p1418
5p1814
6p312
7p159
8p715
9p68
10p44
11p24
12a05
1a33

Is this flow normal for August 17?

Today's 0.16 cfs is 100% below the median for this date — which counts as very low water here.

The median flow on this date is 86 cfs, across 27 years of USGS record at this gauge. Whether that is runnable depends on the stretch — this is context, not a recommendation.

Why this score

  • Wind15 mph — hard work, whitecaps likely-28

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 Colorado