Image: Slab Creek Run release flows. Photo by Darin McQuoid.
Slab Creek & South Fork Silver Creek
Each year, American Whitewater plays an active role in implementing the recreation provisions of the Upper American River Project, the hydropower project owned and operated by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD). American Whitewater participates in annual implementation meetings, reviews hydrologic forecasts, tracks snowpack and precipitation trends, and works directly with SMUD to align release dates and target flows with both operating license requirements and what boaters have consistently identified as quality conditions. By pairing seasonal forecasts with past recreation monitoring results, American Whitewater helps ensure that hydropower operations translate into predictable, meaningful whitewater opportunities.
Water Year Type and Why It Matters
Recreation releases are tied to the project’s annual Water Year Type classification. Each winter and spring, California evaluates how much runoff is expected from rain and snow and assigns the year to a category ranging from Critically Dry to Wet. That classification determines how many recreation flow days are provided, along with other operational measures across the system.
As of late February, the 2026 water year is currently classified as a Below Normal water year. That’s actually good news for boaters. SMUD is required to provide six scheduled recreation releases for the Slab Creek Run in Below Normal, Above Normal, and Wet years—so the current classification keeps recreational flows on the calendar where a Dry classification would mean no releases. On South Fork Silver Creek, SMUD must provide four release days in a Below Normal year. If conditions improve to Above Normal or Wet, additional boating days will be automatically added under the hydropower license terms.
SMUD’s latest forecasts indicate conditions are tracking to be Below Normal but could be potentially wetter as spring develops, so mark your calendars for spring flows in the Upper American River watershed!
Slab Creek Run – South Fork American River 2026 Release Dates
Target release window: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
- March 28 – 1,100 cfs
- March 29 – 1,000 cfs
- April 4 – 1,000 cfs
- April 12 – 900 cfs
- April 18 – 1,000 cfs
- April 25 – 800 cfs
These flows will anchor California’s early-season advanced/expert boating calendar and reflect the 800–1,100 cfs range boaters consistently prefer across different craft types.
South Fork Silver Creek below Ice House Reservoir 2026 Release Dates
Target release window: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- June 6 – 400 cfs
- June 13 – 500 cfs
- June 20 – 500 cfs
- June 27 – 400 cfs
In addition to coordinating release timing and communication, American Whitewater continues to work with SMUD and the Eldorado National Forest to identify and mitigate large woody debris hazards on this reach. Ongoing collaboration helps improve safety while preserving the river’s natural alpine character.
Ice House Pulse Flow Opportunities
In Below Normal, Above Normal, and Wet years, the hydropower license also provides for spring pulse flows from Ice House Reservoir, timed to coincide with snowmelt. These multi-day releases are designed primarily to mimic natural spring runoff patterns—helping move sediment, refresh channel features, support aquatic habitat conditions, and maintain geomorphic processes downstream of the dam. While ecological in purpose, these pulses can also meaningfully expand boating opportunities beyond the scheduled June recreational flows.
For a Below Normal year, the anticipated pulse pattern is:
- Day 1 – 450 cfs
- Day 2 – 450 cfs
- Day 3 – 550 cfs
- Day 4 – 450 cfs
- Day 5 – 450 cfs
SMUD is planning these plus flows to take place in May. As soon as specific pulse dates are confirmed, American Whitewater will communicate them to the boating community so boaters can plan accordingly.
These Releases are Only Possible with Your Support
We hope you enjoy these scheduled release flows brought to you by American Whitewater! To support our work restoring rivers and negotiating boating release flow days, please join or renew your membership, or make an additional donation. Your support makes this work possible. Thank you!