Kayak Love

South Dakota · river

Platte Creek near Platte

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

49of 100

Caution

Paddle Score, from live wind and water conditions

Photograph taken near Platte Creek near Platte
Nearby on Wikimedia Commons — Penstemon Lake Andes Wetland Management District South Dakota (52388831823).jpg by USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain. Taken within 10km of this location — it may not show the launch itself.

Live data sources are unreachable right now — showing representative sample conditions.

Wind

19 mph

gusting to 29 mph

Air temp

65°F

28% chance of rain

River flow

2,574 cfs

normal for this date

Best day to paddle this week

Tuesday · 95

  • Today

    63

  • Mon

    47

  • Tue

    95

    Best

  • Wed

    53

  • Thu

    43

  • Fri

    89

  • Sat

    53

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)
3p1929
4p1824
5p1827
6p1726
7p1624
8p1422
9p1319
10p1418
11p1318
12a1217
1a1422
2a1421

Is this flow normal for September 6?

Today's 2,574 cfs is 20% below the median for this date — which counts as normal water here.

The median flow on this date is 3,201 cfs, across 67 years of USGS record at this gauge. Whether that is runnable depends on the stretch — this is context, not a recommendation.

Why this score

  • Wind19 mph — stay off open water-51

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