Colorado · river
Slate River above Baxter Gl Highway 135 near Crested Butte
Live conditions for this USGS-monitored stretch of water, updated every 15 minutes.
Send it
Paddle Score, from live wind and water conditions
Live data sources are unreachable right now — showing representative sample conditions.
Wind
6 mph
gusting to 8 mph
Air temp
66°F
37% chance of rain
River flow
2,302 cfs
normal for this date
Best day to paddle this week
Friday · 93
Today
90
70°
Wed
68
74°
Thu
90
75°
Fri
93
71°
Best
Sat
72
66°
Sun
92
65°
Mon
93
69°
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) |
|---|---|---|
| 12a | 6 | 8 |
| 1a | 6 | 9 |
| 2a | 5 | 8 |
| 3a | 7 | 10 |
| 4a | 7 | 10 |
| 5a | 6 | 9 |
| 6a | 6 | 7 |
| 7a | 8 | 11 |
| 8a | 8 | 11 |
| 9a | 7 | 10 |
| 10a | 9 | 14 |
| 11a | 12 | 18 |
Is this flow normal for September 8?
Today's 2,302 cfs is Right about the median for this date — which counts as normal water here.
The median flow on this date is 2,320 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
- Wind — 6 mph — calm, ideal for any boat±0
- Rain — 37% chance in the next 6 hours-3
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 385106106571000
Full hydrograph, historical flows, and station metadata
Nearby water
- Coal Creek Abv Mccormick Dtch at Crested Butte2 mi
- Elk Creek at Coal Creek Abv Crested Butte6 mi
- East River below Cement Creek near Crested Butte6 mi
- Slide Ditch Flume Blw Highway 135 near Crested Butte6 mi
- East River Number 1 Ditch Flume 1 Abv Highway 1357 mi
- East River Number 1 Ditch Flume 2 Abv Highway 1357 mi