Kayak Love

California · river

San Lorenzo River A Big Trees

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

100of 100

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Paddle Score, from live wind and water conditions

Photograph taken near San Lorenzo River A Big Trees
Nearby on Wikimedia Commons — Greetings from Big Trees, California, Santa Cruz County Big Trees Park - Large Letter Postcard (5542805203).jpg by Steve Shook from Moscow, Idaho, USA, CC BY 2.0. Taken within 10km of this location — it may not show the launch itself.

Wind

3 mph

gusting to 3 mph

Air temp

74°F

0% chance of rain

River flow

20.7 cfs

normal for this date

Best day to paddle this week

Monday · 97

  • Today

    95

  • Sun

    95

  • Mon

    97

    Best

  • Tue

    97

  • Wed

    97

  • Thu

    92

  • Fri

    90

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)
10a33
11a67
12p78
1p77
2p78
3p89
4p89
5p67
6p66
7p55
8p55
9p45

Is this flow normal for August 1?

Today's 20.7 cfs is Right about the median for this date — which counts as normal water here.

The median flow on this date is 20 cfs, across 88 years of USGS record at this gauge. Whether that is runnable depends on the stretch — this is context, not a recommendation.

Why this score

  • Wind3 mph — calm, ideal for any boat±0

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 California