American, S. Fork,

5. Slab Creek Dam to White Rock Powerhouse (Slab Creek)

Motherlode Falls

Motherlode Falls
Photo of Jerry Jascomb by Dave Jeffrey taken July 1996 @ 2800 cfs

River Description

The Slab Creek reach begins with several class IV+ rapids that are within sight of the put-in. The river continues in a very continuous nature for the next four miles. Many of the rapids are fairly long and require good class IV skills The most significant rapid on the run occurs shortly below the Mosquito Road Bridge at river mile 3.6. The gradient eases at this point and the run becomes class II/III in nature. There also is more vegetation, primarily Alders, in the river channel after this point. Rock Creek enters on river right at river mile 5.5. The Rock Creek Power House could provide a potential take-out or put-in if paddlers were interested in running the last two miles of the run down to White Rock Power House. This section is also class II/III with one rapid that is potentially class III+.

Other Information Sources:
Upper American River Project main page.
Upper American River Project Schematic.pdf
A GUIDE TO THE BEST WHITEWATER IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, HOLBEK & STANLEY, 1998