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California

North Fork Elder 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 Mendocino 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

17.0 mi run

Seasonal — can run dry

71 cfs avg flow

River facts

Water: Seasonal — can run dry
Average flow: 71 cfs
Average current: 1.3 ft/s
Gradient: 278.6 ft/mi
Drainage area: 47 sq mi

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

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North Fork Elder Creek

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Permits & access

No permit or access details on file for this water — check with the local land manager before you go.

About this water

North Fork Elder Creek is a 17-mile paddling stretch near Red Bluff, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 71 cfs and a gradient of about 278.6 feet per mile.

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Keep exploring — more water worth the drive

Photo: Anna Fiorella (US Forest Service), Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Thomes Creek

~16 min drive

Thomes Creek is a 66-mile paddling stretch near Red Bluff, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 418 cfs and a gradient of about 81.4 feet per mile.

Red Bluff Recreation Area Boat Ramp

~45 min drive

A worthwhile stop near California.

Photo: US Forest Service, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Cottonwood Creek

~45 min drive

Cottonwood Creek is a 0.1-mile paddling stretch near Cottonwood, California. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 624 cfs.

Photo: humboldthead, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Middle Fork Eel River

~35 min drive

Middle Fork Eel River is a 36-mile paddling stretch near Zenia, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 1,257 cfs and a gradient of about 115.5 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

South Fork Elder Creek

~8 min drive

South Fork Elder Creek is a 18-mile paddling stretch near Red Bluff, California. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 59 cfs and a gradient of about 224.5 feet per mile.

Red Bank Creek

~11 min drive

Red Bank Creek is a 24-mile paddling stretch near Red Bluff, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 87 cfs and a gradient of about 165.5 feet per mile.

Fish Creek

~14 min drive

Fish Creek is a 7.6-mile paddling stretch near Red Bluff, California. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 66 cfs and a gradient of about 326.2 feet per mile.

South Fork Cottonwood Creek

~15 min drive

South Fork Cottonwood Creek is a 45-mile paddling stretch near Platina, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 378 cfs and a gradient of about 88.7 feet per mile.

Cold Fork

~20 min drive

Cold Fork is a 29-mile paddling stretch near Platina, California. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 93 cfs and a gradient of about 145.9 feet per mile.

Buck Creek

~22 min drive

Buck Creek is a 7-mile paddling stretch near Red Bluff, California. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 65 cfs and a gradient of about 259.9 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

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