Cache Creek, California, US

2) Bear Creek Confluence to Rumsey (Rowboat Rapid Run)

Cache Creek

Cache Creek
Photo of Steve Service by Randy Hodges taken 1997 @ 800 CFS

Gauge Information

River Description

This is the standard Cache Creek run. On any given summer weekend thousands of people float this stretch in inner tubes or "Kamakazee Rafts" (So called because they are manned by people with little or no training who seem bent on running over YOU.)

During the Spring or on Weekdays, this is a very pleasant run. The crowds are pretty much absent and the water is still playful.

The big advantage of this run is that it often has water when almost nothing else does. The water is released to meet the needs of farmers in the Sacramento River Delta. You can expect reliable flows during much of the late spring and into August and usually September.

The water can come from two places. The North Fork water flows out of Indian Valley Reservoir (see the description of the "Wilderness" run) and is clear and cold while the water from "Clear" Lake is warm, cloudy, and often, smelly. Generally, the water is a mix of the two and the water quality is acceptable.

There are several possible put-ins and take-outs. All of the land bordering the first 6 miles of this run is open to the public. The most common run puts in at the "Bear Creek Confluence" (a.k.a. The "Rusty Truck") and takes out at "Camp Haswell" (a.k.a. The "Boy Scout Camp") - This puts you in above the first and takes you out below the second class III rapid.

While this run has many fun rapids, only two are Class III. The first is called "County Line" as it straddles the line between Colusa and Yolo Counties. It is the second rapid below the put in. It involves a sharp drop through a hole and a left faching 90 degree turn. Fun stuff.

Here is a link to an aerial photo of the Bear Creek Put-In (Upper right) - The "County Line" Rapid is at the lower right.

Bear Creek Put-in and County Line Rapid

The second Class III drop is called "Rowboat Rapid" although the local outfitters call it "Mother." It was named "Rowboat" because a boat was lodged in it for years that had been carried down from Clear Lake. The boat finally disappeared for good about 7 - 10 years ago. This is the rapid below the Highway 16 bridge at close to mile 5. This is a fun and steep multi-part drop. Most scout it on the left by pulling out under the bridge.

Here is the aerial view of Rowboat Rapid:

Rowboat (a.k.a. "Mother")

There are also numerous II and II+ rapids along this whole stretch. Camp Rapid (Just below the public campground - Mile 1.5 or so), Taft's Tumble (Just above the "Low Water Bridge" - Mile 2.5), the unnamed rapid just below the low water bridge (About mile 3), and Rock Garden (In left-hand channel just below Camp Haswell - Mile 5.8) all are II+ rapids and often cause beginners trouble.

There are play spots all along this route. A particularly good "Park-and-Play" spot is right below the public campground. There are two consecutive holes where people with short boats can show-off.
 

Other information sources:
cacreeks.com/cache.htm California Creekin - Cache Creek.

BRT Insights: Cache Creek guide

Yolo County Flood Control and Water Conservation District

Cache Creek Natural Area, Ukiah Field Office, BLM

Cache Creek Conservancy