Here is a table of all creeks and rivers in this guide,
including both recommended and not necessarily recommended runs.
Recommended runs are those that most boaters
of a given level would enjoy running at least once each year.
For a short list of all runs,
see the Alphabetic List of Runs.
For additional descriptions and information, see other resources
listed in the Bibliography.
| River | Stretch | Difficulty | Distance | Flows |
| Alameda Creek thru Niles Canyon |
Sunol to Niles Junction near Fremont |
Class III with brush, which varies by year |
4.3 miles,
1 day |
400 - 600 cfs or thereabouts, measured near Niles take-out
(ALN) |
| American River Main Stem |
Sunrise Avenue to Watt Avenue |
Class I with two class II rapids |
11 miles,
1 day |
800 - 5000 cfs, release from Nimbus Dam
(NAT) |
| American River Middle Fork thru Tunnel Chute |
Ralston Powerhouse to McKeon Road (Greenwood) |
class IV (with 1 class V, 1 portage), harder at higher flows |
16.5 miles,
1 day |
800 - 1600 cfs, measured as release from Oxbow Powerhouse
(OXB) |
| American River Middle Fork near Auburn |
former Greenwood Bridge to Mammoth Bar dirt bike area |
class I with several class II rapids |
7.1 miles,
1 day |
800 - 2000 cfs, measured as release from Oxbow Powerhouse
(OXB) |
| American River North Fork Chamberlain Run |
Iowa Hill Road to Shirttail Canyon |
Class IV+ for entrapment hazards, harder above 1500 cfs |
4.9 miles,
1 short day |
400 - 1200 cfs, kayaks/rafts to 3600 cfs, flow measured downstream
(NFD) |
| American River North Fork Giant Gap |
Euchre Bar trail to Iowa Hill Road |
class IV+ with 3 class V rapids, harder above 1050 cfs |
14.5 miles,
1 or 2 days |
350 - 875 cfs, kayaks/rafts 500 - 2500 cfs, flow measured way downstream
(NFD) |
| American River North Fork near Auburn |
Yankee Jim Road to Clementine reservoir |
Class II+ with hardest rapids at the start |
9.5 miles,
1 day |
400 - 1200 cfs, kayaks/rafts to 2000 or more, measured near take-out
(NFD) |
| American River South Fork near Coloma |
Chili Bar to Folsom Reservoir |
Class III+ with one IV- |
20.5 miles,
1 or 2 days |
800 - 1800 cfs, measured as release from Chili Bar dam
(CBR) |
| American River South Fork Kyburz Run |
below Indian Falls to Peavine Road |
class IV (and maybe a class V) |
9.1 miles,
1 day |
500 - 1200 cfs, flow measured upstream at Kyburz
(AMK) |
| Antelope Creek near Red Bluff |
Payne Place to Cone Grove Park |
Class III with two IVs |
22.5 miles,
1 or 2 days |
IKs 250-1000 cfs, kayaks/rafts 400-1200, estimate 60% of Deer Creek
(DCV) |
| Arroyo Hondo east of San Jose |
Kincaid Road to Calaveras Reservoir |
Class V (with portages), flow measured near the reservoir (AHD) |
8 miles,
1 day |
200 - 300 cfs or thereabouts, put-in similar to take-out
(AHD) |
| Arroyo Mocho near Livermore |
Above Waterfalls to Mines Road bridge |
Class IV+ (4 portages),
runnable with Arroyo Hondo between 8.3' and 8.8' (AHD) |
8 miles,
1 day |
200 - 300 cfs or thereabouts, put-in similar to take-out
(AHD) |
| Arroyo not-so Seco near Soledad |
Willow Creek to Arroyo Center bridge |
Class IV, class V above 500 cfs (demo) |
3 hiking and 4 river miles,
1 day |
150 - 350 cfs, flow measured downstream near Soledad
(USGS site)
|
| Arroyo Valle near Livermore |
Mount Hamilton Road to Del Valle Reservoir |
Class IV+ (1 portage, 1 class V),
runnable with Arroyo Hondo between 7.5' and 9', optimum 8' (AHD) |
21 miles,
1 long day |
700 - 1000 cfs as inflow to Del Valle reservoir
(USGS site)
|
| Battle Creek South Fork |
Near Ponderosa Way to Manton Road (A6) |
Class V- with minor portages |
11.5 miles,
1 day |
around 375 cfs, as measured near take-out
(BAS) |
| Battle Creek near Red Bluff |
Manton Road (A6) to Coleman Fish Hatchery |
Class III with one IV- |
12 miles,
1 day |
400 - 2000 cfs, measured by adding forks
BAS and
BNF |
| Bear Creek into Cache Creek |
top of Canyon to Cache Creek confluence |
Class IV (with possible portages at certain levels) |
5 miles,
1 short day |
200 - 800 cfs, measured as Bear Creek above Holsten
(BRK) |
| Bear River near Colfax |
Ben Taylor Road to Combie reservoir |
Class II with some class II+ |
8 or 10 miles,
1 day |
250 - 1000 cfs, measured only below Combie reservoir
(CFW) |
| Bear Creek above Highway 44 near Redding |
Bear Creek Hydro to State Highway 44 |
Class IV with 1/3 mile of class V-VI (portages) |
9.5 miles,
1 day |
150 - 500 (?) cfs, as estimated at take-out
(from BAT) |
| Bear Creek below Highway 44 near Redding |
State Highway 44 to Dersch Road |
Class III with two class IV rapids |
5.1 miles,
half day |
200 - 800 (?) cfs, as estimated at take-out
(from BAT) |
| Beegum Creek Gorge |
USFS Campground to State Highway 36 |
class IV+ to V, with 4 or 5 portages |
7 miles,
1 day |
400 - 1000 cfs at take-out, estimate 10% of flow at Cottonwood
(COT) |
| Big Sur River past Big Sur |
Pfeiffer State Park to the Pacific Ocean |
class II+ (one III) with optional III-IV and ocean surfing |
6 or 7.4 miles,
plus possible hiking in and out |
300 - 900 cfs (?), flow measured near put-in
(USGS site)
|
| Black Butte River near Covelo |
Headwaters at The Basin to Middle Fork Eel Confluence |
Class IV+ with 1 portage (plus logs) |
24 miles,
2 days |
optimum 1000 cfs at take-out, measured above Eel confluence
(USGS site)
|
| Brandy Creek above Whiskeytown Reservoir |
end of road to Brandy Creek picnic area |
class V or V+ |
2 miles,
1 day |
100 - 400 cfs (?), flow level neither monitored nor available |
| Brush Creek into the Kern |
Below Helipad into North Fork Kern |
class IV+ with several portages, class V without |
1.6 miles,
1 short day |
80 - 240 cfs, judge by Kern flow measured at Kernville
(by
Army Corps) |
| Butte Creek near Chico |
PG&E Powerhouse to Covered Bridge |
Class II+ |
6 miles,
1 day |
200 - 1000 cfs, flow measured near Chico
(BCK) |
| Cache Creek near Esparto |
Bear Creek to Rumsey Bridge |
Class II+ (one portage, one class III) |
8.5 miles,
1 day |
350 - 3000 cfs, measured near take-out at Rumsey
(RUM) |
| Camp Creek tributary of North Fork Cosumnes |
Fleming Meadows trailhead to Happy Valley Road |
Class IV+ with strenuous portages |
10.1 miles,
1 long day |
200 - 400 cfs, flow as measured near Somerset
(USGS site)
|
| Carmel River near Monterey |
Carmel Valley to the Pacific Ocean |
class I with some class II, brushy at high flows |
10 miles (or 13.4 miles),
1 day |
200 - 1000 cfs (?), flow measured near Carmel
(USGS site)
|
| Carmel River near Ventana Wilderness |
Los Padres reservoir to Carmel Valley Village |
class III with one big portage, brushy in places |
10 miles,
1 day |
200 - 500 cfs, lower for IKs, flow measured near Carmel Valley
(USGS site)
|
| Carson River East Fork |
near Markleeville to near Gardnerville |
Class II+, harder at higher flows |
20 miles,
1 or 2 days |
IKs 400 - 1600, rafts 600 - 3000 cfs, flow measured below Markleeville
(USGS site)
|
| Clear Creek below Whiskeytown Reservoir |
Whiskeytown Reservoir to Sacramento Valley |
class IV (1 class V-) with easy sections |
8 miles,
1 day |
200 - 1000 cfs, dam release as measured by Igo gauge
(IGO) |
| Clear Creek above Whiskeytown Reservoir |
Clear Creek Campground to Trinity Mountain Road |
class IV, with 5 class V-VI rapids |
16 miles,
1 day |
200 - 500 cfs (or more), as estimated at take-out |
| Coffee Creek above Clair Engle Reservoir |
North Fork Confluence to Highway 3 Bridge |
class III-IV, absolutely continuous |
9 miles,
1 day |
300 - 900 cfs (or more), as estimated at take-out |
| Cosumnes River Middle Fork |
below Outingdale to Highway 49 |
Class IV with no portages |
9.6 miles,
1 day |
300 - 900 cfs, estimate 40% of flow at Michigan Bar
(MHB) |
| Cosumnes River Upper Run |
Highway 49 to Latrobe Road |
Class IV with 1 portage, then class II, harder at higher flows |
10.2 miles,
1 day |
500 - 1500 cfs, kayaks to 2500, flow measured at Michigan Bar
(MHB) |
| Cosumnes River Lower Run |
Latrobe Road to Highway 16 at Rancho Murieta |
Class III (one IV) with 2 portages, harder at higher flows |
9.8 or 6.4 miles,
1 day |
500 - 3000 cfs, kayaks to 5000, flow measured at Michigan Bar
(MHB) |
| Cottonwood Creek Middle Fork |
Platina Road to North Fork Confluence |
class III (one III+), then class II |
23.5 miles,
1 long day |
300 - 900 cfs, for take-out estimate 40% of flow near Cottonwood
(COT) |
| Cottonwood Creek Middle Fork Upper Run |
Platina (or Knob Gulch confluence) to Platina Road bridge |
class IV (easier until Knob Gulch) |
11.1 (or 7.5) miles,
1 day |
100 - 400 (?) cfs, for put-in estimate 10% of flow near Cottonwood
(COT) |
| Cottonwood Creek North Fork |
Ono Bridge to near Middle Fork confluence |
class IV (one IV+), then class II+ |
8 miles,
1 day |
300 - 900 cfs, for take-out estimate 25% of flow near Cottonwood
(COT) |
| Cottonwood Creek North Fork Upper Run |
Sunny Hill Road to Platina Road bridge |
class V (with 4 or 5 portages), then class III (2 class IV rapids) |
8 miles,
1 day, flow doubles |
100 - 400 cfs, for put-in estimate 8% of flow near Cottonwood
(COT) |
| Coyote Creek east of Morgan Hill |
Henry Coe Park to Coyote Reservoir |
Class III with possible logjam portages |
12 miles (after 4 mile hike downhill),
1 day |
150 - 600 cfs, runnable with Arroyo Hondo above 6.5'
(AHD) |
| Deer Creek (Ishi Creek) |
Lassen Plateau to Sacramento Valley |
Upper run Class V (1-3 portages), Lower run class IV (one V) |
40 miles,
2 to 4 days |
300 - 600 cfs, measured downstream at Vina
(DCV) |
| Dry Meadow Creek into the Kern |
Top of the Canyon into North Fork Kern |
class V with several portages, ultra steep |
1.2 miles plus 1.8 miles on Kern,
1 day |
60 - 180 cfs, judge by Kern flow measured at Kernville
(by
Army Corps) |
| Eel River below Middle Fork confluence |
Dos Rios to Alderpoint |
Class II with about 6 class III rapids, harder at low and high flows |
47 or 53 miles,
3 to 5 days |
kayaks 500 - 5000 cfs, rafts 2000 - 10000, flow measured at Fort Seward
(FSW) |
| Eel River Middle Fork near Covelo |
Black Butte Confluence to Dos Rios |
Class II then IV (one V) |
31 miles,
2 days |
600 - 1800 cfs, rafts/kayaks 800 - 4000 cfs, flow measured at Dos Rios
(DOS) |
| Eel River North Fork near Kettenpom |
Salt Creek to Mina Road |
class IV (2 portages) then class III, harder at higher flows |
20.4 miles,
1 long day or 2 days |
400 - 1200 cfs,
interpolate 67% of Leggett
(LEG)
with 30% of Dos Rios
(DOS) |
| Eel River above Middle Fork confluence |
at or above Outlet Creek confluence to near Dos Rios |
Class III, harder at high flows |
6 miles,
more optional, can be run twice in a day |
300 - 20000 cfs, see below for how to estimate flow
(FSW -
DOS / 2) |
| Eel River below Pillsbury Reservoir |
Elk Mountain Road bridge to Eel River Road bridge |
class III+, class IV above 1000, IV+ above 2000 cfs |
5.7 or 8.8 miles,
1 day |
200 - 1000 cfs, often equals inflow to Mendocino Reservoir plus fish flow
(COY + 5).
Also see Dreamflows! |
| Eel River Rice Fork above Pillsbury |
Blue Slides Creek to Pillsbury Reservoir |
Class II with one III and one possible Class V |
8 miles (1.5 on reservoir),
1 day |
400 - 1000 cfs, runnable after recent rain |
| Eel River South Fork above Leggett |
Highway 101 (Ten Mile Creek) to Big Bend |
Class IV with one portage at low flows |
16 miles,
1 or 2 days |
1200 - 2500 cfs, flow is measured downstream at Leggett
(LEG, or about
40% MRD) |
| Eel River South Fork below Leggett |
Big Bend to Redwood Flat |
Class II with one class II+ |
9 miles,
1 day |
300 - 2000 cfs, flow is measured at Leggett
(LEG) |
| Elk Creek into the Klamath River |
Along Elk Creek Road to Klamath River confluence |
Class IV+ with waterfall portages, harder at higher flows |
13 or 5 miles,
1 day |
200 - 500 cfs, flow information not available |
| Feather River Middle Fork Sloat Run |
Sloat to Nelson Point (Franklin and Devils Canyons) |
class II-III, not floatable when too low |
6.5 miles,
1 day |
600 - 2400 cfs, estimate 38% - 45% of the flow at Merrimac
(MER) |
| Feather River Middle Fork Wild & Scenic |
Nelson Point to Milsap Bar (Franklin and Devils Canyons) |
class V with one long portage, harder above 1500 cfs |
32.5 miles,
3 days |
600 - 2000 cfs, flow measured near take-out at Merrimac
(MER) |
| Feather River North Fork |
Cresta Dam to Poe Reservoir, Rock Creek Dam to Powerhouse |
class IV then II (IV), class III then V (portage?) then IV |
5 miles on Saturday,
8 miles on Sunday |
800 - 1600 cfs, possibly to 4000 cfs, flow depends on dam release |
| Feather River North Fork |
Cresta Dam to Poe Reservoir |
class IV then II (IV), harder at higher flows |
5 miles |
800 - 1600 cfs, possibly to 4000 cfs, flow depends on dam release |
| Fordyce Creek above Spaulding Reservoir |
Fordyce Reservoir to Eagle Lakes and Spaulding Reservoir |
class V with several portages, harder as flows increase |
7 or 12 miles,
1 or 2 days |
IKs 150 - 300 cfs, kayaks and rafts 200 - 600 cfs, reservoir release
(Dreamflows) |
| Goose Creek into South Fork Smith |
Saddle Road to South Fork Smith confluence |
Class V |
5.6 miles,
1 day |
300 - 900 cfs, estimate 10% of Jedediah Smith gauge
(JED) |
| Grindstone Creek near Willows |
end of 4WD Grindstone Road to Stony Creek confluence |
Class III+ (one IV and one portage) |
12 miles,
1 day |
300 - 1200 cfs, estimate 25% of inflow to Black Butte Reservoir
(BLB) |
| Guadalupe River thru Downtown San Jose |
Blossom Hill Road to Montague Expressway |
Class II with strainer hazards |
12 miles,
1 day |
300 - 1000 cfs, flow measured near downtown San Jose
(USGS site)
|
| Gualala River South and Wheatfield Forks |
Hauser Bridge and/or House Creek to Pacific Ocean
| Class II+ or Class I |
9+ miles of class II,
32 miles of class I, one or more days |
300 - 1200 cfs on either fork, measured near confluence
(Wheatfield)
(S Fork)
|
| Hayfork Creek Upper Run |
near Wildwood to East Fork Confluence |
class V- with 3 portages, harder as flows increase |
5.7 miles or longer,
1 day |
250 - 750 cfs, kayaks 500 - 1200 cfs, estimate 35% of Hyampom
(USGS site)
|
| Hayfork Creek Lower Run |
9 Mile bridge to Trinity Confluence at Hyampom |
class V, harder as flows increase |
15.5 miles,
1 long day |
300 - 900 cfs, kayaks 500 - 2000 cfs, estimate 40% of Hyampom
(USGS site)
|
| Indian Creek into the Klamath River |
East Fork to Klamath River confluence |
Class III+ with 1 portage, harder at higher flows |
8 miles,
1 short day |
300 - 900 cfs, flow information not available |
| Indian Creek in the North Feather drainage |
Indian Falls to Spanish Creek |
Class IV with waterfall photo-op, harder at higher flows |
4 miles,
1 short day |
400 - 1200 cfs, flow information not available |
| Jarbidge and Bruneau Rivers |
Murphy near Nevada line to Bruneau Idaho |
Class IV with one portage |
almost 70 miles,
3 to 5 days |
600 - 1500 cfs, measured near take-out at Hot Springs
(USGS
site) |
| Kaweah River North Fork |
Four mile hike from road to Kaweah confluence |
Class V- with some portages, harder at higher flows |
10.5 miles,
2 days |
200 - 600 cfs, hardshells to 800, estimate 33% of Terminus inflow
(TRM) |
| Kaweah River above Terminus Reservoir |
near East Fork confluence to Terminus Reservoir |
class IV, class IV+ above 1000 cfs |
10 miles,
1 day |
500 - 1000 cfs, rafts to 3000, measured as inflow to Terminus
(TRM) |
| Kern River below Isabella Reservoir |
Sandy Flat Camp to Democrat Picnic Area |
class IV with one portage (class IV+ above 3000 cfs) |
11.7 miles,
1 day |
400 - 1200 cfs, same as release from Isabella Reservoir
(ISB) |
| Kern River North (Forks of the Kern) |
North Fork Kern from Little Kern to Fairview Dam |
class IV+ with 3 class V rapids, harder above 2000 cfs |
17.1 miles,
1 to 3 days |
300 - 1200 cfs, rafts to 4000 cfs, flow measured at Kernville
(by
Army Corps) |
| Kern River North Fork below Fairview |
Fairview Dam to Powerhouse #3 |
Class V (one portage) with brush hazards, harder above 2500 cfs |
15 miles,
2 days or 1 long day |
500 - 1500 cfs, rafts to 3000, often 600 cfs less than Kernville flow |
| Kern River North Fork near Kernville |
Kern Powerhouse #3 to Isabella Reservoir |
Class II (two IIIs), class III- (one III+) above 1500 cfs |
2 or 4 miles,
1 or more hours |
250 - 1500 cfs, measured as NF Kern at Kernville
(by
Army Corps) |
| Kern River North Fork Headwaters |
Junction Meadow to Little Kern Confluence |
class V with multiple portages, harder at higher flows |
21 hiking plus 37 river miles,
many days |
500 - 1500 cfs, flow measured at Kernville
(by
Army Corps) |
| Kern River (Rio Bravo) near Bakersfield |
Rancheria Road to Mount Vernon Avenue |
Class II (one III-), with brush hazards at high flows |
10 miles,
1 day |
600 - 3000 cfs, slightly less than release from Isabella dam
(ISB) |
| Kern River Cataracts of the Kern |
Democrat Diversion Dam to Mouth of Canyon |
class V+ with portages |
10.4 miles,
several days in sections |
700 - 1750 cfs, 417 cfs less than release from Isabella
(ISB) |
| Kern River South Fork near Kennedy Meadows |
Monache Meadow to Long Valley (above Isabella) |
Class V with many portages, some flatwater |
39 miles,
many days |
500 cfs or thereabouts, flow information not available |
| Kings River above Pine Flat Reservoir |
Garnet Dike to Kirch Flat Campground |
Class III with one III+, class IV above 10000 cfs |
9.5 miles,
1 day |
800 - 8000 cfs or higher,
somewhat less than inflow to Pine Flat
(PNF) |
| Kings River Garlic Falls Run |
South Fork near confluence to Garnet Dike |
Class V, class V+ above 2000 cfs |
10 miles,
2 or 3 days |
700 - 1500 cfs, somewhat less than the inflow to Pine Flat
(PNF) |
| Klamath River below Iron Gate Dam |
Iron Gate Dam to Happy Camp |
Class II with some class III (harder above 5000 cfs) |
84 miles,
many days and sections |
600 - 3000 cfs or more, flow at Seiad Valley
(KSV)
measured at mile 58 |
| Klamath River below Happy Camp |
Curley Jack Campground to below Ukonom Falls |
Class III with one IV- (harder above 5000 cfs) |
18 to 37 miles,
1 to 3 days |
1000 - 3000 cfs or more, flow at Seiad Valley
(KSV)
measured 26 miles upstream |
| Klamath River above Copco Reservoir |
J.C. Boyle Powerhouse outflow to near Copco Reservoir |
class IV with one class IV+ at 1500 cfs, class V at high flows |
16 miles,
1 or 2 days |
1500 cfs from one turbine, 2700 cfs from two turbines
(NWS
Medford) |
| Mark West Creek near Santa Rosa |
Mark West Resort to Santa Rosa |
Class IV (class V above 1000 cfs) |
4 miles,
half day |
300 - 800 cfs, estimate by analogy with Santa Rosa Creek
(USGS site)
|
| Mattole River near Garberville |
Thorn Junction to Ettersburg or Honeydew |
Class II-III (two class IV rapids), easier below Ettersburg |
10 (or 27.2) miles,
1 (or 2) days |
200 - 800 cfs, estimate 20% of Leggett
(LEG)
with less lag time |
| McCloud River above Shasta Reservoir |
Ah-di-na Campground to Shasta Reservoir |
Class IV (one V-), harder above 1000 cfs |
21 miles,
2 days |
200-900 cfs, measured just above Shasta reservoir
(MSS) |
| McCloud River near Wyntoon |
Fowler's Campground to McCloud Reservoir |
class III-IV, then III |
10 miles (3 on reservoir),
1 day |
100-400 at put-in, 600-2400 as measured near reservoir
(MCD) |
| Merced River below El Portal |
highway 140 bridge to below Ned's Gulch |
class IV (class IV+ above 2000 cfs) |
10 miles,
1 day |
500 - 1500 cfs, similar to the flow measured at Briceburg
(MBB) |
| Lower South Fork Merced River |
Snyder Gulch to main Merced confluence |
class III with several class IV rapids |
7.2 or 4.9 miles,
1 day |
500 - 1500 cfs, estimate 35% of the flow at Briceburg
(MBB) |
| Merced River in Yosemite Valley |
Pines Bridge to El Capitan Bridge |
Class I with one II- |
7 miles,
1 day |
200 - 1200 cfs, flow measured at Pohono Bridge
(POH) |
| Middle Fork Salmon River in Idaho |
Shortly below Dagger Falls to Main Salmon confluence |
Class III at most flows, with two class IV drops (one on Main Salmon) |
100 miles (including 4 on the Main Salmon),
5 to 8 days |
700 - 6000 cfs, measured near Middle Fork Lodge at mile 34
(USGS
site) |
| Mill Creek off Mount Lassen |
Ponderosa Road to Highway 99 |
Class V (1 or more portages), harder at higher flows |
30 miles,
2 days |
300 - 600 cfs, measured downstream at Los Molinos
(MLM) |
| Mokelumne River below Electra Powerhouse |
Electra Powerhouse to below Highway 49 bridge |
Class II+, class III above 1500 cfs, brushy above 3000 |
3.2 or 5.5 miles,
half day |
450 - 1500 cfs, slightly less than the inflow to Pardee
(PAR) |
| Mokelumne River North Fork to Tiger Creek |
Salt Springs Reservoir to Tiger Creek Dam |
Class IV becoming class V (1 line), harder above 1500 cfs |
12 miles,
1 day |
400 - 1200 cfs, kayaks to 2000 cfs, readings available on
Dreamflows
|
| Mystery Run |
Along a dirt road to some highway bridge |
Class IV with 1 portage |
about 9 miles,
1 day |
200 - 500 cfs or higher, flow information not available |
| Navarro River to Dimmick State Park |
Hendy Woods State Park to Dimmick Memorial Grove |
Class I with some IIs |
16.2 miles,
1 or 2 days |
300 - 2000 cfs, measured near town of Navarro
(NRN) |
| New River near Burnt Ranch |
East Fork or near Denny to Byoff Road |
Class IV+ with stretches of II-III, 1 portage |
4.5 miles to Denny,
4.1 miles to Panther Creek, 5 miles to Byoff Rd. |
300 - 1500 cfs, put-in and take-out flows respectively |
| Noyo River above Fort Bragg |
Northspur to Company Ranch near Fort Bragg |
Class II+ with some log portages |
12 miles,
1 or 2 days |
200 - 400 cfs, measured near Fort Bragg
(USGS site)
|
| Pauley Creek near Downieville |
Third and Second Divides to Downieville |
Class IV+ with one portage |
4 miles on Lavezzola plus 4 miles on Pauley,
1 day |
150 - 250 cfs, about 20% of N Yuba at Goodyear Bar
(USGS site)
|
| Pescadero Creek west of San Jose |
Portola State Park to Memorial County Park |
Class II with several logjam portages |
short hike plus 6 miles,
1 day |
200 - 800 cfs, flow reported below take-out
(USGS site)
|
| Pit River near Pit Falls |
Fall River Mills to Highway 299 |
Class IV+ (1 portage), harder at higher flows |
10 miles,
1 day |
500 - 2000 cfs, after subtracting hydropower spikes
(USGS site)
|
| Putah Creek above Berryessa Reservoir |
Middletown to Berryessa Reservoir |
Class IV+ with long class II stretches |
16 miles,
1 or 2 days |
500 - 2000 cfs, measured along this run near Guenoc
(PCG) |
| Putah Creek below Berryessa Reservoir |
Monticello Dam to Fishing Access #3 |
Class II with strainer hazards |
2.5 miles,
2-3 runs per day |
500 - 800 cfs, measured along this run near Fishing Access #1
(PUT) |
| Rancheria Creek and Upper Navarro River |
Mountain View Road to Hendy Woods State Park |
Class II+ |
13 or 15 miles,
1 or 2 days |
150 - 1500 cfs put-in, which is about 1/3 the flow at Navarro
(NRN) |
| Rancheria Creek Upper Section |
Fish Rock Road to Mountain View Road |
Class II+ (one class III) with brush hazards |
13 miles,
1 day |
150 - 900 cfs, flow at take-out is about 1/3 the flow at Navarro
(NRN) |
| Redwood Creek above Orick |
Stover Road (or Highway 299) to Orick |
Class II, then IV (one portage), then class I |
25 to 41 miles,
2 or 3 days |
250 - 500 at put-in (flow doubles), measured at O'Kane
(OKN) |
| Rogue River Wild & Scenic Section |
Grave Creek to Foster Bar |
Class III, one IV, one fishladder |
35 miles,
2 - 4 days |
800 - 6000 cfs, measured downstream at Agness
(USGS
site) |
| Rogue River Scenic (not Wild) Section |
Hog Creek to Grave Creek |
Class II+ |
14.4 miles,
1 or 2 days |
800 - 3000 cfs, measured upstream at Grants Pass
(USGS
site) |
| Rubicon River near Foresthill |
10 miles below Hell Hole Dam to Ralston Powerhouse |
class IV+ with < 12 class Vs, class V above 500 cfs |
23 miles,
2 or 3 days |
200 - 500 cfs at put-in. Estimate low-elevation snowmelt as per Cosumnes,
see below for spill |
| Russian River below Asti |
Asti to Alexander Valley Road |
Class I with some II- |
11 miles,
1 day |
500 - 1500 cfs, somewhat less than the Healdsburg flow
(HEA) |
| Russian River East Fork |
Potter Valley to Mendocino Reservoir |
Class II+ (avoid a class V+) |
2.6 miles,
half day |
300 cfs or thereabouts, diversion from Van Arsdale to the Russian |
| Russian River above Healdsburg |
Alexander Valley Road to Healdsburg |
Class I with some II- |
14.6 miles,
1 or 2 days |
300 - 1500 cfs, measured by the Healdsburg flow
(HEA) |
| Russian River from Hopland to Asti |
various segments from Hopland to Asti |
Class I to III |
19 miles,
multiple days |
200 - 8000 cfs, flow measured at Hopland
(HOP) |
| Sacramento River thru Box Canyon |
Siskyou Reservoir to Dunsmuir |
class IV |
7 miles,
1 day |
300 - 1200 cfs, Siskyou Dam release, estimate by Delta gauge
(DLT) |
| Sacramento River from Redding to Red Bluff |
Anderson River Park to Ide Adobe Park |
class I (some II) big water |
11.4 or 35.8 miles,
1 or 2 days |
10000 - 20000 cfs, measured at Bend Bridge
(BND) |
| Salmon River into Klamath (Cal Salmon) |
Nordheimer campground to below Wooley Creek |
class IV+ (3 class V rapids), harder at higher flows |
10.2 miles,
1 day |
500 - 1500 cfs, rafts to 3000, measured downstream at Somes Bar
(USGS site)
|
| Salmon River North Fork above Sawyers Bar |
Idlewild Campground to town of Sawyers Bar |
class IV, class V above 1500 cfs? |
7.9 miles (more by hiking),
1 day |
500 - 1500 cfs, estimate 25% of the flow at Somes Bar
(USGS site)
|
| Salmon River North Fork below Sawyers Bar |
Little North Fork to Salmon Confluence |
class IV (3 class V rapids), harder at higher flows |
11.3 miles,
1 day |
500 - 1500 cfs, estimate 30% of the flow at Somes Bar
(USGS site)
|
| San Joaquin River South Fork |
Paiute Creek to Florence Reservoir |
class IV-V with some class II, plus boat-hiking |
7.5 miles trail,
8 miles river, 6 miles reservoir: 1 long day |
kayaks 800 - 2500 cfs,
but due to diversions, flow below Florence Reservoir can be misleading |
| San Lorenzo River near Santa Cruz |
Henry Cowell Park to Paradise |
Class III (one IV) |
4 miles,
1 short day |
200 - 1000 cfs, measured at Henry Cowell big trees
(USGS site)
|
| Scott River above Klamath confluence |
Indian Scotty campground to Scott Bar bridge |
class V- (1 class V rapid), harder at higher flows |
10.2 miles,
1 day |
500 - 1500 cfs, rafts to 3000, measured upstream at Fort Jones
(USGS site)
|
| Selway River in northern Idaho |
Paradise campground to Selway Falls |
At low flows, class III with several class IV rapids |
47.7 miles,
5 or more days |
1000 - 10000 cfs, measured below take-out near Lowell
(USGS
site) |
| Sespe Creek near Santa Barbara |
near Highway 33 bridge almost to the Santa Clara River |
Class V with many portages, harder at higher flows |
33.1 miles,
3 to 4 days |
400 - 800 cfs, fair weather only, 7.0 - 8.0' on Grand Rd. stick gauge |
| Slate Creek at Lamoine |
USFS Road 36N20 to near I-5 Freeway |
class V to V+, below powerhouse class III+ to IV |
3.25 miles,
half day |
200 - 400 cfs, as estimated at put-in (check rainfall using
SLT
gauge) |
| Smith River Middle Fork |
Idlewyld to above Patrick Creek, Patrick Creek to Gasquet |
Class IV, optional class V gorge above Patrick Creek |
14 miles (5.5 plus 8.5),
1 day |
300 - 1000 cfs at take-out, about 18% of Jedediah Smith gauge
(JED) |
| Smith River North Fork |
Low Divide Road bridge to Gasquet Store |
Class IV, verges on V at high water |
14.6 miles,
1 or 2 days |
400 - 2000 cfs at take-out, about 35% of Jedediah Smith gauge
(JED) |
| Smith River below Gasquet |
Gasquet Store to above Oregon Hole Gorge |
Class II+, verges on III at high water |
4.5 miles,
several hours |
240 - 2500 cfs at put-in, about 53% of Jedediah Smith gauge
(JED) |
| Smith River South Fork |
High Bridge to above South Fork Gorge |
Class III |
12.2 miles,
1 day |
500 - 1200 cfs at take-out, about 47% of Jedediah Smith gauge
(JED) |
| South Fork Silver Creek above Icehouse Reservoir |
above Autobahn to below Quadruple Bypass |
Class V with one class V+ and one portage |
1.1 mile,
many rapids can be re-run! |
as snowmelt is tapering off |
| Stanislaus River below Camp 9 |
Camp-9 Powerhouse to Parrott's Ferry Bridge |
Class III with one IV (much harder above 8000 cfs) |
9 miles,
1 day |
700 - 2000 cfs, inflow to New Melones Reservoir
(NML) |
| Stanislaus River North Fork near Arnold |
Sourgrass Campground to McKay's Point |
Class IV+ (three class Vs), harder above 1500 cfs |
7.5 miles,
1 day |
400 - 1200 cfs, flow measured near Avery
(NSA) |
| Stanislaus River above Oakdale |
Knight's Ferry to Orange Blossom Bridge |
class I with a class II+ rapid to start, plus brush hazards |
7 or 9 miles,
1 day |
300 - 900 cfs, measured at Orange Blossom Bridge
(OBB) |
| Stanislaus River Goodwin Canyon |
Goodwin Dam to Knight's Ferry |
class IV- (3 class V rapids or portages) |
4 miles,
1 short day |
500 - 3000 cfs, measured downstream at Orange Blossom Bridge
(OBB) |
| Stony Creek near Williams |
Mill Creek Campground to Death-Defying Diversion Dam |
Class IV with lots of II |
4.7 miles,
1 day |
800 - 1600 cfs, less than the inflow to Black Butte Reservoir
(BLB) |
| Stony Creek near Willows |
Stonyford to Stony Creek reservoir, Reservoir to Grindstone |
Class II then I |
7 miles,
6.6 miles, each one short day |
800 - 1600 cfs, less than the inflow to Black Butte Reservoir
(BLB) |
| Big Sulphur Creek near Cloverdale |
Below The Geysers to Iron Bridge, from there to Russian River |
class IV+ with portages, class V above 700 cfs |
upper 4.6 miles,
lower 8.5 - 9 miles, 1 day |
upper 200 - 700 cfs, measured at put-in
(USGS),
lower when over 18'
(USGS site)
|
| Little Sulphur Creek near Cloverdale |
Geyserville Road to Big Sulphur confluence |
Class V (with about 8 portages) |
11 miles,
1 long day |
200 - 500 cfs, 15% of Big Sulphur Creek at the Geysers |
| Tomki Creek into Eel River |
Hearst-Willits Road to Hearst bridge |
class III+ with class V brush |
17.5 miles (8.2 on Eel),
1 day |
200 - 600 cfs at put-in, avoid during heavy rain |
| Trinity River from Douglas City to Junction City |
Douglas City BLM Campground to above Junction City |
Class I with some II- (and snag hazards) |
11.1 miles,
1 day |
300 - 1200 cfs, flow measured near Douglas City
(DGC) |
| Trinity River below Pigeon Point |
North Fork Confluence to Big Flat campground |
Class III with one IV- (harder above 1000 cfs) |
5.5 miles,
half day |
400 - 4000 cfs, interpolate flows at Douglas City
(DGC) and Hoopa
(HPA) |
| Trinity River from Hayden Flat to Cedar Flat |
Hayden Flat campground to Cedar Flat river access |
Class II+ with some III- |
6.7 miles,
1 short day |
500 - 5000 cfs, interpolate flows at Douglas City
(DGC) and Hoopa
(HPA) |
| Trinity River Burnt Ranch Gorge |
Cedar Flat bridge to Hawkins Bar bridge |
Class IV+ (with 4 class 5s), class V above 600 cfs |
10 miles,
1 day |
300 - 1500 cfs, measured at Cedar Flat
(USGS site)
|
| Trinity River near Salyer |
Hawkins Bar to South Fork |
Class II |
8.4 or 14.2 miles (easier take-out),
1 day |
400 - 2500 cfs, flow measured at Hoopa includes South Fork
(HPA) |
| Trinity River below Hoopa |
Hoopa to Weitchpec |
Class II (one III) |
9 miles,
1 day |
500 - 3000 cfs, flow measured just upstream at Hoopa
(HPA) |
| Trinity River above Clair Engle Reservoir |
Tangle Blue Creek to Trinity River Campground or below |
Class III with one IV- |
11 to 16 miles,
1 day |
IK minimum 400 cfs, rafts and kayaks 600, as measured near take-out
(USGS site)
|
| Trinity River South Fork above Hyampom |
Klondike Mine to Oak Flat above Hyampom |
class III (2 class IV- rapids), harder at higher flows |
16 miles,
1 or 2 days |
200 - 1000 cfs, rafts to 2000 cfs, estimate 60% of Hyampom
(USGS site)
|
| Trinity River South Fork (Three Bears) |
Big Slide campground to near Trinity confluence |
class IV+ (1 class V-) with 2 portages, harder at higher flows |
17.1 miles,
1 or 2 days |
IKs 600 - 1200 cfs, rafts 1000 - 2000 cfs, measured at Hyampom
(USGS site)
|
| Truckee River near Floriston |
Boca (Little Truckee) to Verdi Nevada |
class II+ (class III above 1000 cfs) with class IV rapid(s) |
6 miles or 15.8 miles (with diversion dams),
1 day |
minimum 400 - 800 cfs, more fun above 1200 cfs, flow measured at Farad
(FAR) |
| Tule River above Springville |
Lumbeau picnic area to Springville |
class III+ (1 portage and one class IV) continuous, with brush hazards |
5 miles,
1 short day |
200 - 800 (?) cfs, measured as inflow to Success Reservoir
(SCC) |
| Tuolumne River below Lumsden Campground |
Lumsden Campground to Don Pedro Reservoir |
class IV (one class V-), IV+ above 4000 cfs, V above 8000 cfs |
18 miles,
1 or 2 days |
500 - 1500 cfs, a bit less than Don Pedro daily average inflow
(DNP) |
| North Fork Tuolumne near Sonora |
Riverside Campground to Main Tuolumne |
Class V with 4 portages |
7.8 miles,
then 3 miles on main Tuolumne |
300 - 800 cfs |
| Tuolumne River from Cherry Creek |
Holm Powerhouse on Cherry Creek to Lumsden Campground |
Class V with some portages, harder above 1200 cfs |
7.2 or 8.6 miles,
1 day |
600 - 1500 cfs, harder to 2000, add Holm release
(CBD)
to Early Intake
(TBI) |
| Tuolumne River above Modesto |
La Grange to Waterford or Modesto |
class I with one deathtrap eddy, plus brush hazards |
10 miles or more,
1 day |
300 - 900 cfs, measured at La Grange
(LGN)
and Modesto
(MOD) |
| Wooley Creek into the Cal Salmon |
Bear Skull Flat down to Cal Salmon |
class V, with class IV and much continuous class III |
12 hiking miles,
13 river miles, 2 days |
250 - 750 cfs, hardshells 500 - 1500, figure 15% of Salmon at Somes Bar |
| Yuba River below Englebright Dam |
Englebright Reservoir to Highway 20 bridge |
class II+, one class IV, then class II- |
long dam portage,
6 miles, 1 day |
700 - 3500? cfs, flow measured below Englebright Dam
(YRS) |
| Yuba River Middle Fork Plumbago Run |
Plumbago Crossing to Our House Dam |
class IV+ with 4 portages, class V above 1200 cfs |
13.5 miles,
1 day |
400 - 1000 cfs, somewhat more than release from Our House Dam
(ORH) |
| Yuba North Fork below Wild Plum campground |
Haypress Creek (Sierra City) to Downieville |
class IV with several class Vs, class IV-V above 1000 cfs |
13 miles,
1 day |
300 - 1200 cfs, estimate 60% of the flow at Goodyear Bar
(USGS site)
|
| Yuba North Fork near Goodyear Bar |
Downieville to highway 49 bridge |
class IV (4 class V rapids or portages), harder above 1500 cfs |
12.2 miles,
1 day |
600? - 1200 cfs, rafts to 3000 cfs, flow measured at Goodyear Bar
(USGS site)
|
| Yuba River South Fork Edwards to Purdons |
Edwards Crossing bridge to Purdons Crossing bridge |
class IV, harder above 2000 cfs, class V above 3000 cfs? |
4 miles,
1 short day |
400 - 1500 cfs, flow measured downstream at highway 49
(JBR) |
| Yuba River South Fork Highway 49 to Bridgeport |
Highway 49 bridge to Pleasant Valley road |
class V, harder above 1200 cfs |
7.2 miles,
1 full day |
400 - 1600 cfs, flow measured shortly below put-in
(JBR) |