Westwater Canyon Flow Profile
Seasonal flow profile for Westwater Canyon on the Colorado River — CFS bands at the Cisco gauge and spring-runoff (April–June) timing.
River section: Westwater Canyon
Flow Conditions
Runnable but more technical, scraping possible on exposed ledges. Razor rock is out, the key is catching the eddy above in the correct spot, so the boat spin is timed to avoid needing to counter spin. With a large gear raft it isn't unreasonable to expect getting plugged in between razor rock and the shore boulders. On the extra low end, running right of skull rock, isn't pretty and a little rough on the gear, but might be your only option.
Best conditions for most groups. Skull is well-formed and readable.
14,400 cfs is a fabled level where expert boaters say the frequency of Westwater Canyon is peaked. Expert paddlers and properly-rigged boats only.
Some features are flooded, others are max punishment. Because of the extra height, there is more room to get around the big stuff. Room of Doom becomes a serious, hard-to-exit eddy. Expert paddlers and properly-rigged boats only.
Seasonality
Optimal flows typically 3,000–12,000 cfs at Cisco gauge. Spring runoff provides the most consistent conditions.
- Spring
- cold water — snowmelt, high flows — powerful hydraulics at Skull and Room of Doom, limited rescue access in gorge
- Summer
- heat above gorge, low water — exposed ledges and rockier lines, afternoon thunderstorms near ramp
- Fall
- low water, early cold snaps
Live Gauge Data
Colorado River Near Cisco, UT
Primary upstream Colorado River gauge used in Westwater and Moab Daily runoff interpretation.
USGS #09180500