Kayak Love

Idaho · river

South Fork Payette River at Lowman

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 South Fork Payette River at Lowman
Nearby on Wikimedia Commons — Ponderosa Pine Scenic Route, Lowman, ID 83637, USA - panoramio.jpg by Justin Reina, CC BY-SA 3.0. Taken within 10km of this location — it may not show the launch itself.

Wind

1 mph

gusting to 2 mph

Air temp

69°F

0% chance of rain

River flow

402 cfs

normal for this date

Best day to paddle this week

Wednesday · 88

  • Today

    78

  • Wed

    88

    Best

  • Thu

    77

  • Fri

    67

  • Sat

    70

  • Sun

    88

  • Mon

    82

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)
9a12
10a12
11a05
12p915
1p1018
2p1017
3p1117
4p1216
5p1318
6p1217
7p1115
8p612

Is this flow normal for August 18?

Today's 402 cfs is 11% below the median for this date — which counts as normal water here.

The median flow on this date is 451 cfs, across 83 years of USGS record at this gauge. Whether that is runnable depends on the stretch — this is context, not a recommendation.

Why this score

  • Wind1 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

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