Click on your favorite California river below to see real-time water levels and season predictions!

South Fork of the American River (Beginner - Intermediate / Class III+):

The South Fork of the American River is a classic "dam-controlled river" with six reservoirs above the whitewater section. During the summer and fall we will have consistent (normal) levels of 1200 - 1700 cfs during the morning and afternoon, six days a week (water releases not guaranteed on Wednesdays).

1200 - 1750 CFS = Normal flows, usually associated with summer and fall. Plenty of fun Class II & III whitewater and beautiful scenery. Great flow for first timers, groups and families, yet still enjoyable for experienced boaters. Wetsuits only required during cooler months. Usual minimum age: 8 years.

1750 - 3000 CFS = Medium-high flows. Challenging Class III+ whitewater, exciting for first timers and veterans alike. Big waves and swift moving water. Wetsuits may be required in cooler months. Usual minimum age may be increased.

3000 - 5000 CFS = High flows. Challenging Class III+ whitewater. Fast moving water, with powerful waves and long rapids. Wetsuits usually required. Usual minimum age increased.

5000 - 10000 CFS = Extreme High flows. The river changes into an Intermediate Class IV river at these unusually high flows. Fast moving water, with powerful waves and long rapids. Wetsuits required. Usual minimum age increased. Trips at these flows are best for adventurous, athletic people who are not afraid of water.

Middle Fork of the American (Intermediate / Class III - IV):

The Middle Fork is a dam-controlled river and will have consistent flows in 2008 ranging between 900 to 1100 cfs during the morning and afternoon, seven days a week from April to October.

850 - 1000 CFS = Normal flows. Perfect for aggressive first timers or experienced paddlers. An excellent opportunity to experience Class IV whitewater while enjoying the stunning beauty of the Middle Fork canyon. Usual minimum age: 12 years old.

1000 - 1700 CFS = Medium-high flows. More challenging Class IV whitewater, yet suitable for a wide range of skill levels. Wetsuits may be required during cooler months. Usual minimum age may be increased.

Above 1700 CFS = High flows. Portages required around several major rapids. Trips are not usually offered during periods of high flows due to the number of portages.

 

Merced River (Intermediate / Class III - IV):

The Merced River is free flowing and has no dams above the whitewater section. It depends solely on melting snow for its flow. It began running this year in late March and has flowed well for the past three months. As of June 30th the flow has become too low for good Class III-IV rafting.

500 - 1000 CFS = Lower flows. Great for eager first timers and experienced rafters. Class III+ whitewater. Wetsuits only required during cooler months. Usual minimum age: 12

1000 - 3000 CFS = Medium flows. Great for aggressive first timers and experienced rafters. Plenty of Class III & IV whitewater. Wetsuits required during cooler months.

3000 - 5000 CFS = Medium-high flows. Challenging Class IV whitewater, exciting for experienced rafters. Big waves and swift moving water. Wetsuits required. Usual minimum age will be increased.

Above 5000 CFS = Extreme high flows. Fast moving water, with powerful waves and long rapids. Experience is highly recommended. Wetsuits required. Usual minimum age will be increased.

Tuolumne (Intermediate - Advanced / Class IV+):

The Tuolumne is a dam-controlled river. Due to water storage in upstream reservoirs, this river will run well through Labor Day, September 1, 2008. Flows should vary between 1200 and 1700cfs seven days a week except for two Sundays each month when releases are decreased for the purpose of conservation.

1200 - 1700 CFS = Medium flows. Great for aggressive first timers and experienced rafters. Plenty of Class III & IV whitewater. Wetsuits required during cooler months. Usual minimum age: 14 years old.

1700 - 4000 CFS = Medium-high flows. Great for experienced rafters and a few aggressive first timers. Plenty of Class III & IV+whitewater. Wetsuits required during cooler months. Usual minimum age may be increased.

4000 - 8000 CFS = High flows. Challenging Class IV+ whitewater, exciting for experienced rafters. Big waves and swift moving water. Wetsuits required. Usual minimum age will be increased.

Above 8000 CFS = Extreme high flows. Fast moving water, with powerful waves and long rapids. Experience is highly recommended. Trips at these levels are best for very aggressive people who are not afraid of falling into a very fast river with long rapids. Wetsuits required. Usual minimum age will be increased.

North Fork of the Stanislaus (Intermediate - Advanced / Class IV+):

The North Fork of the Stanislaus River acts like a free flowing river, even though Spicer Reservoir is located 14 miles upstream at an elevation of 6300 feet. Melting snow below the reservoir feed this beautiful river during spring. Once the "melt" is over, water is kept behind the dam and released during the evening for a hydro-power project downstream so we are unable to take advantage of the flows during the warm days of summer. We enjoyed some exciting trips in April and May, but the river has become too low for rafting during the daytime, and will not be available until next spring.

400 - 600 CFS = Medium flows. Very technical Class IV+ rafting through tight chutes, and over radical drops. At these flows the river resembles a trout stream at a high elevation complete with boulders, fallen trees and small pools. Wetsuits are required. Usual minimum age: 15 years old.

600 - 1200 CFS = Medium-high flows. Less boulders and more drops. The river becomes more powerful and rapids increase in length. Plenty of Class IV+ whitewater. Wetsuits required.

1200 - 1800 CFS = High flows. Rapids become longer and more powerful. The obstacles change from boulders to stomping hydraulics and holes. Oar-paddle raft option may be available. Wetsuits required. Usual minimum age may be increased.

1800 - 3000 CFS = Extreme high flows. Rapids begin to “link” with one another and become very challenging. Calms between the rapids become shorter and some disappear. Wetsuits required. Usual minimum age will be increased.

Kaweah (Intermediate - Advanced / Class IV+):

The Kaweah is a free-flowing river with no dams above the whitewater section. The snowpack in the Southern Sierra determines what flows will be like on this exciting river. This year California received a larger amount of snow in the southern part of the state which allowed many folks (including ourselves!) to enjoy this exciting river until late June. The river no longer has flows adequate to support good rafting.

900 - 1500 CFS = Medium flows. Challenging Class IV+ whitewater. These flows are most appropriate for aggressive and experienced rafters. The river is filled with big waves and long rapids with very short calms in between. Wetsuits often required.

1500 - 2500 CFS = High flows. Fast moving water with powerful waves and very long rapids. Wetsuits required. Possibility of falling out of the raft and swimming in a rapid is good. Usual minimum age may be increased.

2500 - 6000 CFS = Extreme high flows. Fast moving water with powerful waves and very long rapids. Wetsuits required. Oar-Paddle Combo rafts used most often. Only for aggressive, athletic people, who are not afraid of swimming in turbulent water. Usual minimum age will be increased.

 

North Fork of the American (Intermediate - Advanced / Class IV+):

The North Fork is a free flowing river and only runs in the spring when the winter snowpack begins to melt. It has a relatively low and small drainage so the season is shorter than other rivers. This year we began running trip in early April and continued into late May. Just last week the river dropped to a level not conducive to quality rafting and will not be available until next spring.

600 - 1200 CFS = Lower flows. Forgiving Class IV whitewater. Best for experienced rafters who like the challenge of difficult paddling and maneuvers. Wetsuits only required during cooler months. Usual minimum age: 15 years old.

1200 - 2000 CFS = Medium-high flows. Challenging Class IV+ whitewater, exciting for veterans. Previous experience preferred and helpful. Bigger waves and swift moving water. Wetsuits required. Usual minimum age may be increased.

2000 - 3000 CFS = High flows. Challenging Class IV+ whitewater, fast moving water, with powerful waves and long rapids. Calms between rapids are short and swift. Participants should be athletic individuals with previous experience. Wetsuits required. Usual minimum age may be increased

3000 - 4500 CFS = Extreme high flows. Very challenging Class IV+ whitewater with some Class V rapids. Very fast moving water, with powerful waves and rapids that “link” together. Participants should be very aggressive and athletic individuals with previous experience, and not afraid of falling into the river and swimming through very turbulent water. Wetsuits required. Usual minimum age will be increased.

 

Cal Salmon (Advanced / Class V):

he Cal Salmon is a free-flowing river and only runs in the spring when the winter snow pack is melting. The river no longer is running high enough to support rafting..

1000 - 1200 CFS = Lower flows. Forgiving Class IV and some Class V whitewater. Best for experienced rafters who like the challenge of difficult paddling and maneuvers. Wetsuits only required during cooler months. Usual minimum age: 15 years old.

1200 - 2000 CFS = Medium flows. Challenging Class IV+ and Class V whitewater, exciting for veterans. Previous experience preferred and helpful. Bigger waves and swift moving water. Wetsuits required.

2000 - 3500 CFS = High flows. Challenging Class V whitewater, fast moving water, with powerful waves and long rapids. Calms between rapids are short and swift. Participants should be athletic individuals with previous experience. Wetsuits required. Usual minimum age may be increased.

3500 - 5000 CFS = Extreme high flows. Very challenging Class V whitewater. Fast moving water, with powerful waves and rapids with large hydraulics and difficult maneuvers. Participants should be very aggressive and athletic individuals with previous experience, and should not be afraid of falling into the river and swimming through very turbulent water. Wetsuits required. Usual minimum age will be increased.

 

Cherry Creek (Advanced / Class V+):

Cherry Creek is an upper stretch of the Tuolumne River. Water is normally too high to run on this stretch of river until the flow is completely regulated by upstream reservoirs. At the end of June we rounded the corner on snow melt and this river will now be having good flows between 1200 and 1700 cfs and will continue through Labor Day, September 1. Water flows will not be guaranteed on some Sundays.

1000 - 1500 CFS = Medium flows. Challenging Class V+ whitewater, exciting for veterans. Previous experience needed. Big drops over and around huge boulders mean quick maneuvering around powerful obstacles. Difficult and long swims are possible should someone fall out of the raft. Wetsuits required. Usual minimum age: 18 years old.

1500 - 2200 CFS = High flows. Very challenging Class V+ whitewater, with powerful and fast moving water. Rapids consist of big drops into giant holes with very turbulent water. Calms between rapids are short and swift. Participants should be very athletic and aggressive and have previous Class IV+ rafting experience. Wetsuits required.