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California

Bow Willow Creek

We don't cover this water yet

No agency boundary, access route or field report is mapped to it — so there is no verdict, and we won't guess. We'll tell you the moment this water has something to say.

Covered nearby

Waters within 25 miles where we do have a current picture.

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Why you'll love it

13.8 mi run
Seasonal — can run dry
33 cfs avg flow

River facts

Water
Seasonal — can run dry
Average flow
33 cfs
Average current
1.2 ft/s
Gradient
255.6 ft/mi
Drainage area
199 sq mi

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

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Bow Willow Creek

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Photos

Directions & GPX

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Permits & access

Managing agency
State Park and Recreation

About this water

Bow Willow Creek is a 14-mile paddling stretch near Julian, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 33 cfs and a gradient of about 255.6 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the state park agency.

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Keep exploring — more water worth the drive

Sweetwater RiverPhoto: Wasquewhat, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Sweetwater River

~53 min drive

Sweetwater River is a 47-mile paddling stretch near Alpine, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 66 cfs and a gradient of about 93.2 feet per mile.

Carrizo Creek

~8 min drive

Carrizo Creek is a 28-mile paddling stretch near Julian, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 40 cfs and a gradient of about 83.1 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the state park agency.

Carrizo Wash

~38 min drive

Carrizo Wash is a 9.1-mile paddling stretch near Borrego Springs, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 42 cfs and a gradient of about 17.5 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.

San Felipe Creek

~38 min drive

San Felipe Creek is a 37-mile paddling stretch near Borrego Springs, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 81 cfs and a gradient of about 37.2 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the state park agency.

Cottonwood Creek

~43 min drive

Cottonwood Creek is a 27-mile paddling stretch near Potrero, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 132 cfs and a gradient of about 111.1 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Boulder Creek

~45 min drive

Boulder Creek is a 12-mile paddling stretch near Julian, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 30 cfs and a gradient of about 314.9 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Santa Ysabel Creek

~1h 5m drive

Santa Ysabel Creek is a 32-mile paddling stretch near Ramona, California. It is ephemeral and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 76 cfs and a gradient of about 146.3 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

San Diego River

~1h 7m drive

San Diego River is a 37-mile paddling stretch near Lakeside, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 117 cfs and a gradient of about 91.6 feet per mile.