Nebraska · river
West Fork Big Blue River near Dorchester, Nebr.
USGS monitoring location. Launch access and paddling suitability have not been verified.
Weather comparison · not a safety rating
Favorable weather
Weather score out of 100
Weather only. This is a monitoring station, not a verified launch. Access, hazards and suitable flow are unknown.
Weather observation: Tue, 29 Sep 2026 04:15:00 GMT.
River observation: Tue, 29 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT.
Page checked: Tue, 29 Sep 2026 04:25:56 GMT. Readings older than one hour are not used for the current score.
Wind
9 mph
gusting to 18 mph
Air temp
65°F
6% chance of rain
River flow
546 cfs
very high for this date
Weather outlook
Monday · 89
Mon
89
74°
Best
Tue
77
76°
Wed
45
73°
Thu
21
68°
Fri
72
65°
Sat
57
74°
Sun
59
66°
Compares forecast wind, air temperature and rain. Does not assess river flow, swell, currents, water temperature or launch access. All times are local to this location.
Wind, next 12 hours
mph| Hour | Wind (mph) | Gusts (mph) |
|---|---|---|
| 11p | 8 | 18 |
| 12a | 9 | 18 |
| 1a | 9 | 18 |
| 2a | 10 | 18 |
| 3a | 8 | 16 |
| 4a | 9 | 16 |
| 5a | 6 | 15 |
| 6a | 9 | 16 |
| 7a | 10 | 18 |
| 8a | 11 | 20 |
| 9a | 10 | 20 |
| 10a | 9 | 18 |
Is this flow normal for September 29?
Today's 546 cfs is 740% above the median for this date — which counts as very high water here.
The median flow on this date is 65 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 — 9 mph — moderate wind at the forecast location-5
We don't have launch notes for this one
This page is built from the USGS gauge at this location, and uses available public readings. 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 06880800
Full hydrograph, historical flows, and station metadata
Nearby water
- Big Blue River near Crete, Nebr.15 mi
- Haines Branch at Sw 56Th Street at Lincoln, Nebr.20 mi
- Middle Creek at Sw Road Street at Lincoln, Nebr.20 mi
- Oak Creek at Air Park Road at Lincoln, Nebr.23 mi
- Salt Creek at Pioneers Boulevard at Lincoln, Nebr.24 mi
- Antelope Creek at 27Th Street at Lincoln, Nebr.26 mi