Humboldt River
Elko / Humboldt Co. · 290 mi · Class I
238CFS/ 2.27 ft
Optimal
→Stable
Optimal: 100–800 CFS · USGS #10322500
⚡Flow data is live from USGS·Rapid classifications and CFS ranges need community verification·Know this river?
290 mi
Length
Class I
Difficulty
100–800 cfs
Optimal
280 cfs
Avg Flow
250 cfs
Hist. Median
#10322500
USGS Gauge
Humboldt River Trail · California Trail Interpretive Center

The longest river entirely within Nevada, flowing 290 miles across the Great Basin before vanishing into the Humboldt Sink. The Humboldt was the lifeline of the California and Oregon Trails — tens of thousands of emigrants followed its course westward through the desert.

Trip sections
Elko to Battle Mountain — 100 mi, upper basin
Battle Mountain to Lovelock — 120 mi, lower basin to Humboldt Sink
Outfitters
Elko Guide Service
Humboldt River float trips and Great Basin expeditions
72-Hour Flow Forecast
NOAA NWPS
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10-Year Flow Patterns
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Your Optimal Range
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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.