St. Francis River
Madison Co. · 20 mi · Class II–IV
587CFS/ 6.47 ft
Optimal
Stable
Optimal: 400–2,500 CFS · USGS #07037500
Flow data is live from USGS·Rapid classifications and CFS ranges need community verification·Know this river?
20 mi
Length
Class II–IV
Difficulty
400–2,500 cfs
Optimal
820 cfs
Avg Flow
738 cfs
Hist. Median
#07037500
USGS Gauge
Millstream Gardens Conservation Area · Missouri Natural Area

Missouri's best whitewater — the St. Francis carves through Precambrian rhyolite at Millstream Gardens Conservation Area, creating a dramatic series of Class III–IV drops through billion-year-old igneous rock. Cat's Eye, Double Drop, and Rickety Rack are the marquee rapids on this geologically unique river. The exposed St. Francois Mountains rhyolite is among the oldest exposed rock in North America.

Trip sections
Millstream Gardens — 3 mi, Class III–IV, main whitewater run
Silver Mines to Millstream — 8 mi, Class II lead-in
Below Millstream to Hwy H — 9 mi, Class I–II cooldown
Outfitters
Millstream Gardens Access
Free public access maintained by Missouri Dept of Conservation
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPS
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10-Year Flow Patterns
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Data Quality

River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.