American, S. Fork, CA

Top Entrance Satans Cesspool

Top Entrance Satans Cesspool
Photo of Jason Bates by Andrew Goldstein taken 5/15/04 @ 1500

River Description

Following Chili Bar, The Gorge is the most popular commercial run in the state!

The Gorge is often the first Class III run for Sacramento and San Francisco area boaters. On any given summer weekend, a raft runs Satan's Cesspool every 15 seconds for five straight hours.

River Descriptions:
There are several write-ups that talk about the rapids found on The Gorge. But because this the last section on the South Fork American, you may have to dig through these write-ups to the mileage below the Chili Bar section to find what you're looking for. The Gorge starts at Greenwood Creek around Mile 11 and goes to the Folsom Reservoir, the end. Depending on the lake level, the paddle out can range from a few hundred yards to a few miles.

El Dorado County has this mile-by-mile description. Bill Tuthill also his pictures and description of the South Fork American 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.

During spring high flows (>3500 cfs), Fowler's Rock and Satan's Cesspool can easily flip rafts. At normal summer flows (1200-1500 cfs),

Put-in:   Greenwood Creek River Access area on Highway 49, west of Coloma.   topozone map, google map.

Take-out:   Salmon Falls Road  bridge at Folsom reservoir.  topozone map, google map.

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 Chapter.
Non affiliated
California Floaters Society
NEW Kayak Club,

Online Information:
You can get more information from California's Whitewater Community at boof.com.
Or a closer source of information about The Gorge maybe obtained from The River Store.

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 Conservancies:
Protect American River Parkways works to protect the North and Middle forks of the American River, along with The American River Conservancy.