Kayak Love

California · river

Santa Ana River below Prado Dam

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

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Paddle Score, from live wind and water conditions

Photograph taken near Santa Ana River below Prado Dam
Nearby on Wikimedia Commons — -CALIFORNIA-L-0013- Santa Ana River flood (50391174282).jpg by WaterArchives.org from Las Cruces, New Mexico, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0. Taken within 10km of this location — it may not show the launch itself.

Wind

10 mph

gusting to 11 mph

Air temp

86°F

0% chance of rain

River flow

82.3 cfs

normal for this date

Best day to paddle this week

Friday · 83

  • Today

    38

  • Sun

    49

  • Mon

    71

  • Tue

    74

  • Wed

    78

  • Thu

    80

  • Fri

    83

    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
Hourly wind forecast
HourWind (mph)Gusts (mph)
10a1011
11a910
12p1011
1p1416
2p1720
3p1822
4p1924
5p1824
6p1823
7p1622
8p1421
9p1117

Is this flow normal for August 1?

Today's 82.3 cfs is Right about the median for this date — which counts as normal water here.

The median flow on this date is 86 cfs, across 84 years of USGS record at this gauge. Whether that is runnable depends on the stretch — this is context, not a recommendation.

Why this score

  • Wind10 mph — noticeable but manageable-9

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

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