RAFTER PINNED UNDER ROCK ON STANISLAUS
Camp 9 Run: April 12, 1993
Level 4,000 cfs; Classification III+
DESCRIPTION: The Stanislaus River was one of California's most popular intermediate runs until it was covered by the New Melones Dam in the 70's. The old riverbed reappears during prolonged droughts and is often run. Stephen Murray, 33, and a second person fell out of a private raft at Bridge Rapid just above the Camp 9 bridge. The group got one person in quickly, but Murray, who was not wearing a wetsuit, disappeared around the corner into Suspension Bridge Rapid, and into a flat stretch. He was last seen trying to climb onto a badly undercut rock (Death Rock) and was probably pulled underneath it. The body, still wearing its PFD, was recovered the next day after an upstream dam cut flows back to 2000 cfs.
SOURCE: John A. McClenny via the Internet; California Department of Boating and Waterways
ANALYSIS: The Stanislaus is seldom run this high, and these flows change this normally mellow river into something less forgiving. This sounds like a one boat trip; if a second boat was present it was not in position to help. Since flips can put several people into the water backup is vital when rafting. Long swims are always possible at high flows, and wetsuits or drysuits are highly recommended on icy, snow-fed rivers like this one.
