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Watch this water

California

Five Lakes Creek

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
3 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.

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Why you'll love it

10.2 mi run

Seasonal — can run dry

100 cfs avg flow

River facts

Water: Seasonal — can run dry
Average flow: 100 cfs
Average current: 1.4 ft/s
Gradient: 283.0 ft/mi
Drainage area: 29 sq mi

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

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Five Lakes Creek

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Photos

Directions & GPX

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Permits & access

Managing agency: Forest Service

About this water

Five Lakes Creek is a 10-mile paddling stretch near Foresthill, 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 283.0 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

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Keep exploring — more water worth the drive

Photo: Moiseiko, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

North Fork American River

~16 min drive

North Fork American River is a 12-mile paddling stretch near Foresthill, California. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 179 cfs and a gradient of about 317.5 feet per mile.

French Meadows Boating Site

~12 min drive

A worthwhile stop near California.

Fallen Leaf Campground

~32 min drive

A worthwhile stop near California.

Photo: Schmiebel, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Martis Creek

~24 min drive

Martis Creek is a 12-mile paddling stretch near Truckee, California. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 68 cfs and a gradient of about 130.4 feet per mile.

Hell Hole Boat Ramp

~13 min drive

A worthwhile stop near California.

Photo: Schmiebel, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Taylor Creek

~31 min drive

Taylor Creek is a 1.9-mile paddling stretch near South Lake Tahoe, California. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 38 cfs and a gradient of about 75.2 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

North boat ramp

~15 min drive

North boat ramp is a boat launch in California.

Barker Creek

~8 min drive

Barker Creek is a 6.9-mile paddling stretch near Foresthill, California. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 31 cfs and a gradient of about 404.9 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Loon Lake Boat Ramp

~16 min drive

A worthwhile stop near California.

Middle Fork American River

~10 min drive

Middle Fork American River is an 8.7-mile paddling stretch near Foresthill, California. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 199 cfs and a gradient of about 355.9 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Also worth it near here

Palisades Tahoe Alpine Meadows

~7 min drive