American, S. Fork, |
|
| Usual Difficulty | III+ (may vary with level) |
|---|---|
| Avg. Gradient | 23 fpm |
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN RIVER AT CHILI BAR | ||||
| cdec-CBR | 800 - 8000 cfs | III+ | 76d07h46m | 1600 cfs (rc= 0.1 ) |
The Chili Bar run is one of California's premier and most popular whitewater
runs!
River Descriptions:
Dependable flows through the spring and summer, and weekend flows all year round make Chili Bar a
very popular section of river. During times of the year when most other California whitewater
rivers are too low to boat, the Chili Bar powerhouse still turns on at 9 AM and turns off around
noon. Kayakers and rafters flock from all over to boat here. The bonus is that this is a very
high quality run with fun rapids, wonderful play spots and good scenery.
On summer weekends, the river is mobbed by rafters and kayakers. Early in the morning and late
in the day you can still find relative solitude.
Put in: Chili Bar has a large parking area and gravel beach for launching rafts
and kayaks. There is a per car and a per person fee to launch. There is a small store,
drinking fountains and bathrooms. This area is now owned and operated by The American River
Conservancy.
Take out: There are several take out options in the Coloma area. Most of
these options charge a per person fee. Each of the campgrounds along the river allow launching
or take outs only by those paying to stay there or paying a day use fee. There is no fee for
river access at the highway 49 bridge and at a couple other spots. At present, boater take
outs are not allowed at Marshall Gold Discovery .
The River Shuttle is a new experimental shuttle service. If boaters use a shuttle service to get to the put in or from the take out, it can reduce air pollution, and reduce traffic congestion.
River Maps:
You can print out these river maps and take them with you: Map #1 or Map #2.
Local Clubs:
There are a number of active paddling clubs that frequent this river. Listed below are just a
few.
AW affiliates
Gold Country Paddlers.
Chico Paddleheads
Sierra Club Loma Prieta
Ch.
Non affiliated
California Floaters Society
NEW Kayak Club,
Online Information:
There are several great write-ups out there about the Chili Bar run. El Dorado County has this mile-by-mile description, as well as other information about many other activities in the area. Bill Tuthill also his pictures and description of the run at cacreeks.com. Then there is the American River Page that has a wide range of information about the river and the region, including a forum and photo gallery.
You can get more information from California's Whitewater Community at boof.com.
Or a closer source of information about the Chili Bar run maybe obtained from The River Store.
South Fork
American River (pdf 407 kb) BLM map
http://www.americanriverfestival.org
River Conservancies:
Protect American River Parkways works to
protect the North and Middle forks of the American River, along with The American River Conservancy.
Slalom Course:
The owners of the Nugget River Park, just upstream of Chili Bar often have a slalom course set up
on the river. This course is used for several races, including during the fall American River Festival. Paddlers who wish to
practice here can call (530) 644-6093 to purchase access to the Nugget parking area. Support
their efforts to maintain this nice slalom course.
| Dreamflows.com info |
| Show 30 Days ----- So. American - At Chili Bar ----- Show 3 Years |
The flow gauge at Chili Bar is maintained by PG&E. Flow information is distributed and stored by CDEC. You can obtain daily flow information in numeric form at CDEC website, but the gauge home page is at Chili Bar Gauge info. If there is no graph visible above, click on this link to a CDEC graph. Convenient flow information for almost all rivers in California and many other western states can be found at Dreamflows.com. You can also call the River Store (530) 626-3435 or the El Dorado County Flow Phone at (530) 621-6616.
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN RIVER AT CHILI BAR | ||||||||||||
| cdec-CBR | 800 - 8000 cfs | III+ | 76d07h46m | 1600 cfs (rc= 0.1 ) | ||||||||
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| When | River/Gauge | Subject | Level | Reporter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American, S. Fork [CA] |
Chili Bar
|
n/a | Matt Muir | |
| 76d06h53m | /AMERICAN RIVER AT CHILI BAR [CA] |
2009-Labor Day Weekend
|
1600 cfs | Paul Martzen |
| 76d07h46m | /AMERICAN RIVER AT CHILI BAR [CA] |
Foot entrapment location below Troublemaker Rapid
|
1600 cfs | Paul Martzen |
| 77d03h53m | /AMERICAN RIVER AT CHILI BAR [CA] |
SFA-Gorge
|
1500 cfs | Paul Martzen |
| 1y76d01h53m | SF American [CA] |
First Threat Smile
|
1800 | John Hefti |
| 2y6d00h53m | American, S. Fork [CA] |
Troublemaker overview 3
|
1400 cfs | Paul Martzen |
| 2y6d00h53m | SF American: Chili Bar [CA] |
No Trouble
|
1500 cfs | n/a |
| 2y83d01h53m | American, S. Fork [CA] |
Sean in Double Trouble
|
1300 cfs | Daniel Lundberg |
| 3y122d09h53m | American, S. Fork [CA] |
Brandon in 1st Threat
|
1800 cfs | Daniel Lundberg |
| 5y99d09h53m | American, S. Fork [CA] |
TroubleMaker IV
|
1500 | Andrew and Dorian Goldstein |
| 5y261d09h53m | SF American [CA] |
SF American - Triple Threat
|
1900 CFS | Tim Perry |
No Comments
Add a Comment| Mile | Rapid Name | Class | Features (Legend) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.0 | Chili Bar | II |    |
| 0.6 | Meatgrinder | III+ |  |
| 1.3 | Racehorse Bend | III | |
| 1.5 | Maya | II+ | |
| 1.7 | Rock Garden | II | |
| 2.4 | African Queen | II+ | |
| 3.0 | First Threat | III |  |
| 3.4 | BLM toilets | N/A | |
| 3.7 | The Narrows | II+ | |
| 4.0 | Mini Gorge | II+ | |
| 4.3 | Swimmer's Rapid | II | |
| 5.1 | Troublemaker | III+ | |
| 5.8 | Coloma Lake | II | |
| 7.2 | Old Scary | II+ | |
| 7.4 | Hwy 49 Bridge |  | |
| 8.0 | Henningsen-Lotus County Park | N/A |  |
A long and sometimes dangerous rapid with large boulders and hidden holes.
There is an excellent trail for scouting and portaging on river right. It is an old railroad grade.
Hazard: There have been two fatal foot entrapments in this rapid at summer flows. It is unknown which parts of the rapid are most hazardous for foot entrapments. There has been at least one flush drowning at high spring flows.
Most of the current flows to the right of a rocky and bushy island. The drop is steep, culminating in a large wave hole that buries kayaks and gives raft riders a thrill.
The wave/hole is a popular kayak playspot, so there will usually be a line of kayakers waiting in the river right eddy.
Boaters can land on river right, just before a sharp left turn. Two composting toilet are up a short trail. Some groups will stop for snacks or lunch here, but there is not a lot of room to land many boats. Rafters need to leave enough room for other groups to land and use the toilets.
The river enters a very pretty section with rock walls. There is mild maneuvering around rock outcroppings or boulders in the channel, but nothing too difficult. Near the end, a large rocky island is a popular rest stop.
This short but steep and tricky drop is at the end of the run and thus convenient for spectators, photographers and other lovers of entertaining carnage.
The current splits around a rocky island. The standard route is to the left side. Several ledges and turbulent waves persuade boaters to paddle on the outside as the channel curves sharply right. Kayakers often tip over here. Those still upright must paddle hard to get to the left or right side of Gunsight rock which forms the final steep drop. Paddle past or through some smaller ledge holes then eddy out and see what happens to the next boaters through.
The right side of the island leads to a steep, narrow and turbulent chute called, Double Trouble. This is not frequently run as it can easily flip rafts. Some boaters do enjoy it.
Hazard: About 50 to 70 yards downstream of the main rapid, just right of center of the channal, is a large boulder with a crack through it. In 2009 there was a fatal foot entrapment here when flows were 2200 cfs. In 2008 there was a nonfatal foot entrapment with flows of 1500 cfs. At the lower flows, rescuers were able to get onto the boulder and support the victim to keep the victim's head out of the water. At the higher flows, rescuers were unable to reach the victim until the flows dropped.
If you swim in Trouble Maker, swim aggressively to stay away from this dangerous boulder.
The river bends to the left and affords a view of motor homes and travel trailers lined up above the river on the right bank. The river continues curving to the left as it drops downa a wide rapid. Several large boulders at the bottom right offer targets for those without boat control or for those looking for extra fun maneuvering.
The boat launching area is at the furthest downstream end of this large park. There are large playing fields, restrooms and picnic areas. Hiking trails lead upstream along the river. There is a fee to park a car.
(iCal)
River Alert
State News
River Links
NWRI - American, S. Fork 6. Chili Bar (Route 193 to Coloma) (mobile)
