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Colorado
Lightner 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.
Nobody's filed a report here yet — be the first.
Why you'll love it
River facts
- Water
- Seasonal — can run dry
- Average flow
- 30 cfs
- Average current
- 1.2 ft/s
- Gradient
- 257.4 ft/mi
- Drainage area
- 63 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
Lightner Creek
AI-suggested draft · review before you go
Photos
Directions & GPX
Permits & access
- Managing agency
- State Fish and Wildlife
About this water
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.
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Keep exploring — more water worth the drive
Photo: Dicklyon, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Florida River
~21 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 4m drive
Navajo State Park Boat Ramp is a boat launch in Colorado.
Junction Creek Campground
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near Colorado.
Photo: Dicklyon, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)La Plata River
~23 min drive
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.
Cutter Reservoir Boat Launch
~1h 19m drive
Cutter Reservoir Boat Launch is a boat launch in New Mexico.
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Hermosa Creek
~27 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.
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)West Dolores River
~57 min 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: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Los Pinos River
~1h 7m drive
Los Pinos River is a 12-mile paddling stretch near Pagosa Springs, Colorado. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 84 cfs and a gradient of about 146.7 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
Photo: Clyde frogg, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Animas River
~1h 9m drive
Animas River is a 15-mile paddling stretch near Silverton, Colorado. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 544 cfs and a gradient of about 131.4 feet per mile.
Photo: Dicklyon, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)Piedra River
~1h 9m drive
Piedra River is a 9.9-mile paddling stretch near Pagosa Springs, Colorado. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 363 cfs and a gradient of about 61.1 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
