Gauge Description:

*Note: This is a 'virtual gauge'.
The USGS gauge on the (main) Pike River is very shortly downstream of the confluence of the North and South branches of the Pike. They are relatively similar in size, so (for simplicity) we are just taking half the USGS gauge reading as flow in each branch. Obviously, at the put-in for the upper reaches, flow will actually be much less.

The nature of the river (generally good depth in flatwater, and generally well constricted in the drops) allows paddling at fairly low levels (well below the listed minimum). At all levels below the listed minimum (and even a bit above it) the first drop ("Bull Falls") will be scrapey, and not recommended. The three main drops are probably runnable lower than the listed minimum (150 cfs), so some boaters may consider just shuttling up to (and carrying in to) 'Eighteen Foot Falls' at levels from maybe 100 - 200 cfs.

Levels around 330 cfs (660 on the USGS gauge) may be 'optimum'.

The maximum is set at 400 cfs (on the virtual gauge, 800 cfs on the USGS gauge), because somewhere above that level, holes at the base of the falls will become quite aggressive. While it still may be possible to run the falls above this level, expect a likelihood of some epic surfs or swims. Have someone with a throw rope at the base of each falls. Interestingly, the last and shortest falls is most likely to be the most 'keepy' at moderate-to-high flows.