Safety Code of American Whitewater


This code has been prepared using the best available information and has been reviewed by a broad cross section of whitewater experts. The code, however, is only a collection of guidelines; attempts to minimize risks should be flexible, not constrained by a rigid set of rules. Varying conditions and group goals may combine with unpredictable circumstances to require alternate procedures. This code is not intended to serve as a standard of care for commercial outfitters or guides.

International Scale of River Difficulty


(see Section VI of the Safety Code of American Whitewater for complete descriptions)

This is the American version of a rating system used to compare river difficulty throughout the world. This system is not exact; rivers do not always fit easily into one category, and regional or individual interpretations may cause misunderstandings. It is no substitute for a guidebook or accurate first-hand descriptions of a run.

Paddlers attempting difficult runs in an unfamiliar area should act cautiously until they get a feel for the way the scale is interpreted locally. River difficulty may change each year due to fluctuations in water level, downed trees, recent floods, geological disturbances, or bad weather. Stay alert for unexpected problems!

As river difficulty increases, the danger to swimming paddlers becomes more severe. As rapids become longer and more continuous, the challenge increases. There is a difference between running an occasional Class-IV rapid and dealing with an entire river of this category. Allow an extra margin of safety between skills and river ratings when the water is cold or if the river itself is remote and inaccessible.

The links below lead to the 3 parts of a list of examples of commonly run rapids that fit each of the classifications. Rapids of a difficulty similar to a rapids on this list are rated the same. Rivers are also rated using this scale. An overall river rating should take into account many factors including the difficulty of individual rapids, remoteness, hazards, etc. Each rapids is rated at a specific range of levels. Note that under some circumstances a paddler may find that similarly rated rapids seem to differ an extraordinary amount due to unusual factors that may include boat type, weather, fatigue, and limited experience on certain types of whitewater.

International Scale of River Difficulty - Standard Rated Rapids

Class 5.0
Rapid Name(s)
River, Section(s)
State
Level
Northeast





Insignificant Gauley, Upper
WV 2400-3200

Lost Paddle
Gauley, Upper
WV 2400-3200

Cribworks Penobscot R., W. Br., Ripogenous Gorge ME 2000-3000

Charlie's Choice thru
National Falls (far Left)
Youghiogheny, Upper
MD 2-2.2'
Rocky Mountain





No Name Animas, Upper
CO 2000

Damnation Alley Encampment
WY 1000-1200

Broken Bridge Animas, Upper
CO 2000-2500

Pine Creek Arkansas, Pine Creek Canyon
CO 1500-2100 (3.5')

Rock Garden Rio Grande, Lower Taos Box Canyon
NM 2000-3000

No Name Animas, Upper
CO 4000

Big Drops Colorado, Cataract Canyon
UT 30,000
Southeast





Sock'em Dog Chattooga, Sect. IV
GA/SC 1.8'-2.3

El Horrendo (right side)
Russell Fork, Breaks
VA/KY 800-1250

Tower Russell Fork, Breaks
VA/KY 800-1100

Watauga Falls Watauga River Gorge (Sect 4)
NC -6”-0 (200-400)

Hydro, The Hole Watauga River Gorge (Sect 4)
NC -6”-0 (200-400)
West Coast





Vortex Kern, Forks
CA moderate

Starts with a Bang and
Bridge Drop
Cascade
WA moderate

Mushroom Tuolumne, Cherry Cr.
CA 1200

Lava Falls (Right Side) Colorado, Grand Canyon
AZ 15,000-25,000

Hound's Tooth Payette, N. Fk.
ID 1800-2000

Screaming Left Turn Payette, N. Fk.
ID 1800-2000





Class 5.1
Rapid Name(s)
River, Section(s)
State
Level
Northeast





Big Splat Big Sandy Cr., Lower WV 6.2'
Rocky Mountain





Gore Rapids Colorado, Gore Canyon CO 1200

Double Suck Clark's Fork Yellowstone, The Box WY 1200

Kirschbaum Colorado, Gore Canyon
CO 1200

Pine Creek Arkansas, Pine Creek Canyon
CO high-2900

Slaughterhouse Falls Roaring Fk., Slaughterhouse Run CO high

Lower Narrows Cache la Poudre, Narrows CO 2.5', 500

Upper Provo Falls Provo UT 300
Southeast





Pinball Little River Canyon AL 6”-1'

Pinball Overflow Creek GA 1-1.5'
West Coast





Straight Shot American, S. Fk., Golden Gate CA 1000

Drain Pipe American, S. Fk., Golden Gate CA moderate

Jacob's Ladder Payette, N. Fk. ID 1200-2500





Class 5.2
Rapid Name(s)
River, Section(s)
State
Level
Rocky Mountain





Snolic Sister Clark's Fork WY 1200

Lower Barrel Springs Colorado, Glenwood Canyon CO 3000

Pine Creek Arkansas, Pine Creek Canyon
CO 4.5'

Slurry Pipe Eagle, Gilman Gorge CO 4'
Southeast





Gorilla Falls/ Scream Machine
Green Narrows NC 1-4 tubes

Sunshine Green Narrows NC 1-4 tubes
West Coast





Lumsden Falls Tuolumne, Cherry Creek
CA moderate

Juicer Payette, N. Fk. ID 4000





Class 5.3
Rapid Name(s)
River, Section(s)
State
Level
Rocky Mountain





S Turn Lime Cr. CO

Upper Narrows Cache la Poudre, Narrows CO 2.5', 500

Rigor Mortis Clear Cr. Canyon CO 900
West Coast





Jacob's Ladder Payette, N. Fk. ID 3500

Nutcracker Payette, N. Fk. ID 1800-2000




For more information, see the story behind the American Whitewater Rating Scale Project.



For additional copies please write to:

American Whitewater
PO Box 1540, Cullowhee, NC 28723
email: info@amwhitewater.org



Copyright 1998, American Whitewater

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