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As of 2006 real time flows in Chawanakee Gorge are being reported as San Joaquin above Stevenson Creek - Spill This is the spill over dam #6 at the entrance to Chawanakee Gorge and is usually the total flow. Several minor side streams add to the scenery but little to the flow. The exception is Stevenson Creek which enters the gorge about 2/3 of the way through. During wet year spring spill periods, SCE usually releases up to 350 cfs from Shaver Lake into Stevenson Creek. This will increase the flows in the last third of Chawanakee by that amount. During other periods, releases into Stevenson are minimal.
Optimum flows of 400 cfs to 700 cfs may occur at the beginning and end of spring spill periods, and during certain maintanance operations. Spills of 300 to 400 cfs also occur during some peak power generation periods.

Historical flow data for this reach can be found at USGS 11238600 Note that this data is daily averages, so some short low flow spikes could be boatable flows but only for a short portion of the day.

Flows in this reach may be erratic and boaters assume increased risk when they enter this gorge. Flows could cease unexpectedly or might rise beyond the boatable range. Boaters must have the skills and mental preparation to deal with either possibility in a sheer walled canyon with few escape routes.