Jim Crow Creek

Downieville, California

California

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No verdict for this water

We won't guess. Here is exactly what we do and don't know.

What we do know

  • Inside Tahoe National Forest

    2 managing-area boundaries mapped — agency alerts for them feed this page automatically.

    Boundary data

What's missing

  • No access route mapped

    We don't yet know which road reaches this trailhead, so we can't tell you if it's gated.

Nobody's filed a report here yet — be the first.

Why you'll love it

4.1 mi run
Flows year-round
38 cfs avg flow

River facts

Water
Flows year-round
Average flow
38 cfs
Average current
1.2 ft/s
Gradient
411.5 ft/mi
Drainage area
10 sq mi

Long-term averages modeled by USGS (NHDPlus HR), not today's conditions. Check a gauge before you go.

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Jim Crow Creek

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Photos

Directions & GPX

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Permits & access

Managing agency
Forest Service

About this water

Jim Crow Creek is a 4.1-mile paddling stretch near Downieville, California. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 38 cfs and a gradient of about 411.5 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Facts about this water

When to go

Typical monthly averages (not a forecast) from the Bowman Dam, CA weather station, 8.1 mi away. High / low in °F.

  1. Jan46° high29° low
  2. Feb47° high28° low
  3. Mar49° high30° low
  4. Apr55° high33° low
  5. May64° high40° low
  6. Jun73° high47° low
  7. Jul82° high54° low
  8. Aug81° high54° low
  9. Sep77° high51° low
  10. Oct66° high42° low
  11. Nov54° high34° low
  12. Dec45° high29° low

Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020

Where it is

Managed by
Forest Service

Source: USFS EDW boundaries; USGS PAD-US 4.1

Conditions

Active alerts for Tahoe National Forest as of Oct 9, 2026:

Source: USFS forest alerts

Nearby

Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)

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Keep exploring — more water worth the drive

South Yuba RiverPhoto: J.smith, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

South Yuba River

~25 min drive

South Yuba River is a 38-mile paddling stretch near Nevada City, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 1,222 cfs and a gradient of about 100.5 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Berger

~16 min drive

A worthwhile stop near California.

Salmon Lake -Boat Ramp

~19 min drive

A worthwhile stop near California.

Downie RiverPhoto: Ken Lund, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Downie River

~10 min drive

Downie River is a 6.8-mile paddling stretch near Downieville, California. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 283 cfs and a gradient of about 138.8 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Woodcamp-Boat

~21 min drive

A worthwhile stop near California.

Middle Yuba River

~8 min drive

Middle Yuba River is a 38-mile paddling stretch near Alleghany, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 532 cfs and a gradient of about 122.1 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Gold Lake Boat Ramp

~21 min drive

Gold Lake Boat Ramp is a boat launch in California.

Pauley Creek

~10 min drive

Pauley Creek is a 15-mile paddling stretch near Downieville, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 100 cfs and a gradient of about 258.0 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Pass Creek Boat Ramp

~22 min drive

A worthwhile stop near California.

North Yuba River

~11 min drive

North Yuba River is a 25-mile paddling stretch near Sierra City, California. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 1,868 cfs and a gradient of about 142.8 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Guided trips nearby

Local operators near Downievilleoffering guided trips. You book directly with them — Roamze doesn’t take a cut.

Truckee River Rafting

Kayaking business nearby (~42 mi away) — hasn't claimed their Roamze page yet

View operator

Obexer's Boat Company

Kayaking business nearby (~45 mi away) — hasn't claimed their Roamze page yet

View operator

West Shore Sports

Kayaking business nearby (~48 mi away) — hasn't claimed their Roamze page yet

View operator