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RiverBrain

Colorado – US

Class
V- to V
Put-in elevation
8,900 Feet
Typical season
May to July
Author
KSC

Current Flow

137 CFS

Gauge height: 1.12 FT

Reading from Jul 10, 2026 10:00 PM

0.42/hr (12h) 0.21/hr (24h)

Too Low

Don't bother

Primary gauge
CRYSTAL RIVER ABV AVALANCHE CRK, NEAR REDSTONE, CO Gauge detail & alternatives Live gauge ↗

Recommended levels

Minimum400
Average800
Maximum2,000

Recommended use

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

Struck-through craft are not recommended for this run.

Flow history — last 6 days

Photos

Crystal Mills Falls · 06-29-2013 · It's all about the photo · Photo by Kevin Cripps · Subject: Ian Howells

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Description

This is a park and huck at the famous Crystal Mills Falls, the scene adorning many a Colorado postcard.  As we pulled over with all the other tourists and began unloading boats, I told my buddies, "Normally I never kayak just for the photos, but this one, it's just for the photo."  At low flows this drop is fairly easy, but beginner and intermediate boaters should still take heed as getting flipped in the upper slot and running this one upside down could result in a serious injury.  At higher flows, a strong hole forms on river left at the base of the falls, which frequently doles out beatdowns and swims.

Rapids

No rapids added yet.

Access

Type Name Elevation Camping Water Boat ramp Vehicle access Description
Put-In Crystal Mill Falls 8,900 Feet No No No All Vehicles

From the town of Marble, continue east 6 miles.  Much of this road is a 4WD drive road and good clearance is recommended.  Before the town of Crystal, you will see the very obvious Crystal Mill Falls.  Put-in anywhere above the falls and takeout anywhere below it. 

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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