Rapid Creek
Pennington Co. · 60 mi · Class I–II
32.5CFS/ 3.38 ft
Flood
→Stable
Optimal: 50–400 CFS · USGS #06414000
⚡Flow data is live from USGS·Rapid classifications and CFS ranges need community verification·Know this river?
60 mi
Length
Class I–II
Difficulty
50–400 cfs
Optimal
140 cfs
Avg Flow
126 cfs
Hist. Median
#06414000
USGS Gauge
Rapid City Greenway · Black Hills National Forest

Rapid City's backyard trout stream — a clear, cold tailwater below Pactola Reservoir flowing through the Black Hills and directly through downtown Rapid City. The urban greenway section offers surprisingly wild paddling with brown trout rising within sight of downtown restaurants.

Trip sections
Below Pactola Dam — 15 mi, cold tailwater, best trout water
Rapid City urban greenway — 12 mi, Class I–II through town
Below Rapid City — 30 mi, prairie transition, wider channel
Outfitters
Black Hills Paddleboard & Kayak
Rapid Creek kayak rentals and shuttle service
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.