River Runners' Guide to Utah and Adjacent Areas
A comprehensive guidebook to whitewater rivers in Utah and neighboring regions, covering river access, rapids, flow considerations, trip logistics, and historical context for river runners.
Flow
— cfs
Season
Spring, summer, fall
Duration
1–1 days (typical 1)
Permit
No float permit required. Utah fishing license required for anglers.
Shuttle
Logistics
Beginner
Green River — UT
A Section
Seven miles of cold, clear tailwater through Red Canyon below Flaming Gorge Dam — extraordinary geology, world-class trout fishing, and one of the most scenic short floats on the upper Green River.
The Flaming Gorge section runs the short, cold, jewel-green tailwater below Flaming Gorge Dam through Red Canyon — one of the most visually dramatic river corridors in the American West. Dam releases carve the Green River through 1,400-foot walls of Uinta Mountain quartzite and red sandstone, creating a corridor of year-round cold water, excellent trout fishing, and cottonwood terraces that few river travelers ever see from the water. At 7 miles, this is not an expedition — it's a half-day float with outsized scenery. The power of regulated flow and the geology of an ancient mountain range make this one of the finest short runs on the upper Green.
7
miles
1
day typical
1
hike
Flows & Hydrology
Dam-regulated, cold year-round. Check Greendale gauge. Flows vary daily with power generation. Dress for cold-water immersion in all seasons.
Reference Gauges
Green River near Greendale, UT
Historical Green River gauge above Flaming Gorge reservoir area. Primary reference for Gates of Lodore trip planning when used in context with current downstream releases.
USGS #09234500Current flow — Green River near Greendale, UT
USGS
—
Water temperature
Gage height
Reading the Water
Low water
Below 800 cfs: pleasant flatwater float; some riffles exposed; good for fishing.
Medium water
800–3,000 cfs: classic tailwater character; riffles become more defined; good current.
High water
Above 3,000 cfs: pushy with faster current; eddies require more attention; cold-water immersion risk elevated.
Hazards by season
- Spring
- high dam releases during runoff season, very cold water, strong canyon winds
- Summer
- crowded with anglers, daily flow fluctuations, afternoon canyon winds
- Fall
- cold water and air temperatures, short daylight hours, possible ice on banks in late fall
Water temperature
Cold year-round — 40–50°F from deep dam releases. Drysuits or wetsuits strongly recommended in all seasons.
Recommended Flow Ranges
800–3,000 cfs
Ideal
Comfortable float with good riffles and manageable current.
3,000+ cfs
High
Fast and cold. Dress for immersion. Experienced paddlers.
7-Day Forecast
Seasonality
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Year-round due to dam regulation. Cold water year-round from deep dam releases.
- Spring
- high dam releases during runoff season, very cold water, strong canyon winds
- Summer
- crowded with anglers, daily flow fluctuations, afternoon canyon winds
- Fall
- cold water and air temperatures, short daylight hours, possible ice on banks in late fall
Reading the Rock Record
Rock sequence of A Section
↑ Rim
- Weber Sandstone
- Uinta Mountain Group
↓ River level
Ecology
Life in the Corridor
Flora
- Biomes
- cold-water tailwater fishery, canyon riparian corridor
Fauna
- Notable species
- brown trout, rainbow trout, great blue heron, bald eagle, river otter
- Sensitive species
- bald eagle (nesting nearby), Colorado pikeminnow (downstream)
History
John Wesley Powell named 'Flaming Gorge' during his 1869 expedition when the red canyon walls glowed at sunset. The dam was completed in 1964, transforming this section from a free-flowing mountain river to a regulated tailwater fishery.
Layers of Human Presence
- Indigenous homelands
- Uinta Band of Ute Indians
- Historical layers
- John Wesley Powell expedition 1869, early sheep and cattle grazing
Logistics
Short paved shuttle. No permit required. Dutch John for services. Day trip or half-day float.
Getting There and Getting Out
Put-in — Spillway Boat Launch
- Elevation
- 5603 ft
- Facilities
Take-out — Little Hole
- Elevation
- 5527 ft
Shuttle
Spillway Boat Launch to Little Hole
Google used a car, their times do not account for towing a trailer, driving on washboard, pitted pavement, and dirt that goes to grease in the rain — our adjusted times help align to the reality of running real river shuttles.
Permit
No permit required for the float. Boating regulations apply within Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. Anglers need Utah fishing license.
- Required
- No
- Agency
- USFS — Ashley National Forest / Flaming Gorge NRA
Trip realities
- Gateway towns
- Dutch John, UT, Flaming Gorge, UT, Manila, UT
- Groover
- Recommended
- Managed by
- USFS — Ashley National Forest, Bureau of Reclamation (dam operations)
Day-use area. No overnight camping between dam and Little Hole without permit.
Gear
Camp Kitchen
On a seven-day trip, you'll cook roughly 20 meals on a folding table in the sand. The constraint isn't ambition — it's ice management. Days one through three, you have real cooler capacity. Days four and five are the transition zone. Days six and seven are pantry cooking.
The best river cooks plan backward from the last night. If your final dinner is still good — not just edible, but genuinely good — the trip ends on a high.
Feeding a Crew for Seven Days
Ice management strategy
Two coolers, segregated by access frequency. A well-managed deep cooler will hold usable ice through day 6 in 100°F air temps.
Kitchen setup
Folding table, two-burner propane stove, cast iron skillet, Dutch oven, and a large pot. The Dutch oven is the single most versatile piece.
Reading the River
Books that shape the science, history, and stories behind this place.
The Exploration of the Colorado River
Powell's original account of the first scientific expedition through the Grand Canyon, documenting the geology, natural history, and challenges of navigating the unknown Colorado River.
