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RiverBrain

Colorado – US

Class
IV- to IV
Length
3 Mile(s)
Gradient
30 FPM
Typical season
April to October
Author
Joshua Darnell

Current Flow

260 CFS

Gauge height: 1.67 FT

Reading from Jul 10, 2026 10:00 PM

0.00/hr (12h) 0.00/hr (24h)

Too Low

Don't bother

Primary gauge
SOUTH PLATTE RIVER BELOW CHEESMAN RESERVOIR Gauge detail & alternatives Live gauge ↗

Recommended levels

Minimum400
Average300
Maximum800

Recommended use

  • Kayaking
  • Rafting
  • Canoeing
  • SUP
  • Packrafting
  • Fishing

Struck-through craft are not recommended for this run.

Flow history — last 6 days

Photos

No photos added for this run yet.

Description

This is the Lower Cheesman Canyon run that is below Cheesman Res Dam. Do not mistake this run for the more extreme Cheesman Canyon run AKA Wildcat Canyon Class V+ which is above Cheesman Res.

After you put on travel downstream 150 yards and go through a cave. The river pools up and sieves out. Portage on the right and seal launch off of the boulder into the pool below. Meander downstream through awesome fishing waters and easy boulder gardens until you reach an section that looks like it sieves out. This rapid is Class IV in nature. Scout/portage on the right. About a mile downstream is your take out. Hike up and out to your car.

This run is not really worth the effort in a kayak. Although, it would be awesome in a pack raft with a fishing pole, or for those looking for a very scenic adventure that consists of mostly Class II+ with the exception of a seal launch and Class IV rapid. Keep in mind though, that there are plenty of sieves on this section of river.

Put In: Park at Cheesman Res Parking lot through the enterance gate and half way down the hill. Bathroom located there also. Hike up the fishermans trail to below the Dam aprox 1.5 miles. Put in at the bottom of the trail.

Take Out: Where the river gets shallow at a meadow. Hike up the high trail aprox 1 mile to your shuttle car that is parked at the Cheesman Canyon Trailhead off of 126.

Rapids

No rapids added yet.

Access

No river access points added yet.

Camps

No river camps added yet.

Permit

No permit is required, or permit info hasn't been added yet.

Fishing

No fish species have been associated with this run yet.

Community Run Notes

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