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RiverBrain

Colorado – US

Class
III to III+
Length
19 Mile(s)
Gradient
14 FPM
Put-in elevation
5,350 Feet
Take-out elevation
5,079 Feet
Typical season
January to December

Current Flow

1,380 CFS

Gauge height: 8.86 FT

Reading from Jul 10, 2026 9:30 PM

-131.67/hr (12h) -65.83/hr (24h)

Running

Hit some laps

Primary gauge
GREEN RIVER NEAR GREENDALE, UT Gauge detail & alternatives Live gauge ↗ NOAA river forecast ↗

Recommended levels

Minimum800
Average3,000
Maximum6,000

Recommended use

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

Struck-through craft are not recommended for this run.

Flow history — last 6 days

Photos

Gates of Lodore · 08-25-2011 · Entering the canyon

Open in full map →

Description

This run is also known as the Gates of Lodore and was run by the Powell expeditions in the 1800's.  Since this run's flow is controlled by Flaming Gorge Dam the season runs all year.  Permits are tough to come by but this run should be on your multi-day todo list.

Rapids

# Rapid Class Recommended flow Description Scout
1 Hells Half Mile III to IV 1,000–5,000

Enter left of center and then work right through the boulders.  Watch for Lucifer's Rock midway down the rapid.  You can run on the left or right of Lucifers but definitely avoid hitting it.  

Scout from river left by landing above the rapid.

2 Winnies Rapid II —–—

read and run

3 Upper Disaster Falls III to III+ 1,000–5,000

Disaster Falls recieves its name due to the Powell party losing a boat here in the 1869 expedition.  This rapid is boulder lined so pick your line carefully throughout.  The top section has a drop in section followed by some shallows.  You then need to thread the needle between a large river right rock and rocks on the river left.

Scout river left from the large eddy

4 Lower Disaster Falls III to III+ 1,000–5,000

This is another rock filled rapid similar to upper disaster.  Stay on river left and avoid the rocks and undercut on the river right channel.

A beach landing exists above this rapid on river left you can scout from.

5 Harp Falls III to III+ 1,000–5,000

Pull over and scout from river left.

6 Triplet Falls III to III+ 1,000–5,000

This is a rock/boulder slalom course.  Many think this is the most technical rapid in Lodore Canyon.  

Scout from triplet camp on river left or pull in on river left a little below the camp and scout.  Watch out for poison oak in this area.

7 Unnamed Rapid II to II+ 1,000–5,000

An easy class II rapid.  Rocks in the center.

Read and run

8 Unnamed Rapid II 1,000–5,000

An easy class II riffle with some waves

Read and run

Access

Type Name Elevation Camping Water Boat ramp Vehicle access Description
Put-In Lodore Ranger Station 5,350 Feet Yes Yes Yes All Vehicles

Permit required to put-in or take-out here. Water is available during high season. Plenty of camp sites. Outhouses. As of 2013, the ramp is too far from the river due to sand bar and all boats have to be carried to the water. No trucks with trailers allowed on sand bar.

Take-Out Echo Park 5,079 Feet No No Yes All Vehicles

Camps

Camp Fee Beach Description
Wade and Curtis Camp No Yes

No beach, but plenty of tree cover. The landing is a little steep. Very short distance from put in, which is nice no serious rigging required on day 1.

Kolb Camp No Yes

on river right

Pot Creek Camps No Yes

Multiple sites here that can accommodate small or large groups.  On river right.

Triplet Camp No Yes

on river left

Limestone Camp No Yes

On river left. Great covered camp, hike up the Limestone canyon. Has a nice beach, plenty of tree cover. 30 minutes to confluence.

Ripling Brook Camps No Yes

A couple of camps on river right.  These are excellent camps (especially at lower water). Very nice tree cover

Lodore Campground No No

By the put-in

Wild Mountain Camp No No

on river right

Echo Park Campsites No No
Compromise No Yes

Compromise is one of the few Grand Canyon style camps in dinosaur....pull in, park, set up the kitchen in front of the boats

Permit

AgencyDinosaur National Monument River Office
PhoneLaunch Info 1-866-825-2995
Address

4545 Highway 40

Dinosaur, CO 81610

Application deadlineFebruary 1
Application fee$15.00
Permit info

2010 Fee Schedule

$15.00 - Application Fee

$185.00 - Multi-Day Permit Fee

$20.00 - One-Day Permit Fee

$35.00 - Over-length Trip Fee

High use lottery applications will be accepted November 2, 2009, to February 1, 2010. All applicants will benotified of results by February 27, 2010. Low use, low water, one-day trips, and any available high use trips areavailable for reservation beginning March 1, 2010. For river permit information, applications, regulations, andcancellations, call the River Office at (970) 374-2468 between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. mountain time, Mondaythrough Friday. Do not call the main visitor number for river permit information – calls cannot betransferred to the River Office. Mail application to Dinosaur National Monument, River Office, 4545 Highway 40,Dinosaur, Colorado 81610.

Regulations & required gear
  • Type I, Type III, or Type V Coast Guard approved life jackets must be worn by each participant while on orin the river (except from Cove Campsite to Rainbow Park boat ramp on the Green River). Type III & TypeV life jackets must be approved for whitewater activities (rafting, paddling, etc.) and must be appropriatefor size and weight of the user. Horse-collar type life jackets, ski and fishing vests are not acceptable.
  • One spare Type I, Type III, or Type V Coast Guard approved life jacket must be carried in each raft, dory,or paddleboat. One spare Type I, Type III, or Type V life jacket must be carried for every three canoes andkayaks. Spare life jackets must be appropriate for size and weight of the potenial users.
  • One spare oar for each raft or dory and one spare paddle for every five kayaks or canoes must be carried.Spare paddles and life jackets for canoes and kayaks may be carried on a support boat.
  • At least one container toilet system that will not leak when inverted for each group must be used tocarryout human waste on multi-day trips. Must be accessible for use during the day. Bag systems are notpermitted. Toilet systems are strongly recommended, but not required, on one-day trips.
  • Water-tight spray skirts and floatation for each hard shelled kayak and/or decked canoe.
  • One major first aid kit for entire group and one basic first aid kit for each boat on the trip. One basic firstaid kit is required for play permit holders.
  • Repair kits suitable for each type of boat.
  • Mesh strainer for dishwater and ashes. Not required on one-day trips.
  • Fire pans must be elevated a minimum of 4 inches off the ground. Fire pans must be a minimum size of 250square inches with at least a 3-inch rim.
  • A fireproof tarp or blanket must be carried and placed under the fire pan. It must be of sufficient size tocatch coals and ashes around the fire pan. Kayaks or canoes without raft support may substitute a gas stove.One-day trips are only required to have a fire pan and fire blanket if building a fire.
  • Each boat with a non-self bailing floor must carry a bailing device.
  • Open dories and whitewater canoes must have securely attached flotation two-thirds of volume or eightcubic feet.
  • Closed or decked dories must have leak-proof, sealed chambers.
  • An air pump is required in each group with inflatable boats.
  • Helmets are required for all canoeists and kayakers (including inflatable kayaks) and must be worn whilerunning named rapids. Yampa River: Tepee (36.3), Little Joe (29.4), Five Springs (26.3), Big Joe (23.8) andWarm Springs (4.1). Green River: Winnies (240.2), Upper Disaster Falls (236.9), Lower Disaster Falls(236.5), Harp Falls (234), Triplet Falls (232.2), Hells Half Mile (231.7), Greasy Pliers (216.4), Moonshine(206.3), SOB (205.3), Schoolboy (204.7), and Inglesby (201.5).
  • One rescue kit for each group and one throwable Type IV device or throw bag per boat is required.Participants should have knowledge of river rescue techniques.

Full permit page →

Fishing

The following fish species are often found on this run.

Brown Trout

Brown Trout have a yellowish belly, with black and red spots on the sides. This fish is a fresh, coldwater fish and is found all over.

Points of Interest

Winnie's Grotto Landmark
Steamboat Rock Landmark
Mitten Fault Geological Formation

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