Gauge Description:

It is floatable at flows as low as 400 cfs,
optimal at 1000 - 3000 (III-IV),
risky above 3000 (V-V+).

N Platte R nr Northgate CO [ CO ]

Current Conditions Stage Flow Updated 3.46 651 7/24 4:45 Station Graphs

Linked Reaches

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Level Legend:

Running

Below Minimum Recommended Flow

Above Maximum Recommended Flow

Unknown

Descriptions of reaches with River Name in bold have been verified by a regional StreamTeam member.

State	River Name/Section	Class	Level	Rel. Level	Updated
WY	North Platte— 1- State line to French Creek (Lower Northgate Canyon)	I-III	651 cfs	med	7/24 4:45

Station Description

AW Gauge ID:	2870
USGS Station:	06620000
HUC:	10180001
Latitude:	40.9375
Longitude:	-106.3378
Class:	2

Windy Hole (Class III, Mile 0.5)
Windy Hole Rapid The North Platte starts out with a deceivingly fun and steep little Class III rapid named Windy Hole Rapid. Windy Hole Rapid comes up in the first 1/2 mile of the run as the river makes a sharp turn around a bend and look like it is entering a gorge. However do not be lured into a sense of excited anticipation of the upcoming rapids. After Windy Hole the river becomes Class I to II- for 6.5 miles. The scenery is great but there is no whitewater.

Cowpie Rapid (Class III, Mile 7.0)
After a very tiny creek flows in on the right the river changes character. The riverbed is scattered with large boulders, downstream visibility is greatly reduced, and the gradient pick up. This is the start of Cowpie Rapid. The rapid is not really difficult but it merits a Class III and could result in an extended swim and loss of gear if you flip at the top.

Narrow Falls (Class III+, Mile 7.5)
Shortly after Cowpie the canyon pinches in and the gradient picks up. Narrow Falls is the steepest and most difficult of the rapids on the river. The difficulty of this rapid range from a solid Class III to a Class IV at higher flows. The hole at the bottom of Narrow Falls is sticky and good boat control is essential at higher flows to avoid ending up in the hole.

Tootsie Roll (Class III, Mile 9.0)
While this rapid is easier than Narrow Falls there are some nice surf waves and 360 holes here. By the time your at Tootsie Roll you almost within sight of the takeout.

Stove Pipe Rapid (Class III, Mile 9.5)
The river pinches down producing waves, swirling eddies, and some holes. Stove Pipe Rapid is a generic class III rapid. The wave trains are over 100 yards long for this rapid but the difficulty is not great. The takeout is just below on the left and it can be easy to overlook it so be careful.