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Colorado
La Plata River
Conditions: Clear
for canoeing, todayWeather is good
1 factor · 1 source
Observed 9 h ago
clear: Weather
Clouds, high 77°F / low 46°F, 12% precip — 98/100 for canoeing
OpenWeather9 h ago
Been out here in the last few days? One report keeps this current for everyone.
Why you'll love it
River facts
- Water
- Seasonal — can run dry
- Average flow
- 81 cfs
- Average current
- 1.4 ft/s
- Gradient
- 109.0 ft/mi
- Drainage area
- 307 sq mi
Long-term averages modeled by USGS (NHDPlus HR), not today's conditions. Check a gauge before you go.
Here's your day on the water, mapped
La Plata River
AI-suggested draft · review before you go
Photos
Directions & GPX
Permits & access
No permit or access details on file for this water — check with the local land manager before you go.
About this water
La Plata River is a 53-mile paddling stretch near Hesperus, Colorado. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 81 cfs and a gradient of about 109.0 feet per mile.
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Keep exploring — more water worth the drive
Photo: Dicklyon, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Florida River
~38 min drive
Florida River is a 57-mile paddling stretch near Durango, Colorado. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 151 cfs and a gradient of about 100.7 feet per mile.
Navajo State Park Boat Ramp
~1h 10m drive
Navajo State Park Boat Ramp is a boat launch in Colorado.
Junction Creek Campground
~27 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Colorado.
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Hermosa Creek
~48 min drive
Hermosa Creek is a 29-mile paddling stretch near Durango, Colorado. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 270 cfs and a gradient of about 134.6 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
Cutter Reservoir Boat Launch
~1h 10m drive
Cutter Reservoir Boat Launch is a boat launch in New Mexico.
Photo: Rationalobserver, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)McElmo Creek
~1h 8m drive
McElmo Creek is a 65-mile paddling stretch near Towaoc, Colorado. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 63 cfs and a gradient of about 27.2 feet per mile.
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)West Dolores River
~1h 14m drive
West Dolores River is a 12-mile paddling stretch near Dolores, Colorado. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 64 cfs and a gradient of about 241.8 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
Photo: Dicklyon, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Stollsteimer Creek
~1h 23m drive
Stollsteimer Creek is a 24-mile paddling stretch near Pagosa Springs, Colorado. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 45 cfs and a gradient of about 64.7 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
Lightner Creek
~23 min drive
Lightner Creek is a 16-mile paddling stretch near Durango, Colorado. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 30 cfs and a gradient of about 257.4 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the state fish and wildlife agency.
Junction Creek
~29 min drive
Junction Creek is a 15-mile paddling stretch near Durango, Colorado. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 32 cfs and a gradient of about 302.6 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
