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Colorado
McElmo 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
River facts
- Water
- Seasonal — can run dry
- Average flow
- 63 cfs
- Average current
- 1.4 ft/s
- Gradient
- 27.2 ft/mi
- Drainage area
- 689 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
McElmo Creek
AI-suggested draft · review before you go
Photos
Directions & GPX
Permits & access
- Managing agency
- Bureau of Indian Affairs
About this water
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.
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Keep exploring — more water worth the drive
Photo: Dicklyon, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)La Plata River
~1h 8m 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.
Sand Island Boat Launch
~1h 16m drive
Sand Island Boat Launch is a boat launch in Utah.
Junction Creek Campground
~1h 25m drive
A worthwhile stop near Colorado.
Mancos River
~33 min drive
Mancos River is an 85-mile paddling stretch near Towaoc, Colorado. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 100 cfs and a gradient of about 30.5 feet per mile.
Montezuma Creek
~53 min drive
Montezuma Creek is a 61-mile paddling stretch near Monticello, Utah. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 54 cfs and a gradient of about 37.9 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
West Mancos River
~57 min drive
West Mancos River is a 13-mile paddling stretch near Mancos, Colorado. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 48 cfs and a gradient of about 148.3 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
Bear Creek
~1h 10m drive
Bear Creek is a 14-mile paddling stretch near Mancos, Colorado. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 50 cfs and a gradient of about 232.1 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
Disappointment Creek
~1h 12m drive
Disappointment Creek is a 67-mile paddling stretch near Norwood, Colorado. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 79 cfs and a gradient of about 68.2 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
Lightner Creek
~1h 20m 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.
Fish Creek
~1h 21m drive
Fish Creek is a 14-mile paddling stretch near Dolores, Colorado. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 91 cfs and a gradient of about 220.8 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
