Provo

Floated the Provo on 6/8/24 from the 1000 east bridge to Jordanelle. Flows started at 1400 cfs and finished at 1650 cfs. Couple things to note: access is slightly tough, but manageable. We parked just before the 1000 east bridge; past the bridge is all private property. As always, please be mindful and respectful of private property. At these flows, the 1000 east bridge is a mandatory portage (we put in downstream of it, but if floating from upstream, my guess is this is a mandatory portage for flows >500 cfs). Several locals talked to us as we were putting in, all of which were nice (we were the only ones on the river). For the take out, we had to park along highway 32 on the north side. The other take outs we were considering all had no parking signs. It is a tricky stretch to navigate: wood is abundant, the river braids constantly, and there are several blind corners. If you are going to do this stretch (especially at higher flows) its a good idea to do it with someone who has done it before. If you are looking to cut some of the navigating out, you could try to put in at the East Moonlight Dr. bridge. If I were to do this stretch again at high flows, I would look into this option. There are some fun waves past this section along a long bend in the river. There is one notable drop that was clean down the middle. We had some issues scouting this, but there is a possible eddy on river left; we missed this eddy because the drop came up quicker than expected. At these flows, we only saw one fence. It is river wide, hard to see, and needs to be avoided (At lower flows I don’t think the river normally goes towards/through this fence). Note: the fence is on river right, and the main channel is on river left followed by a blind corner with lots of wood. It looks like there is a riverwide strainer here. We were able to get through by staying just left of it. After this, there was still some wood, but the river has a clear channel and all wood was clear to see. There are some fun waves just before the highway 32 bridge. Overall, a suspenseful stretch fun for advanced paddlers.

Coordinates:

Put in:40°35'12.3'N 111°15'43.6'W

Possible alternate put in: 40°36'06.2'N 111°17'29.5'W

Notable drop: 40°36'18.5'N 111°18'20.0'W

Section just before fence where it looks like there is a riverwide strainer: 40°36'07.6'N 111°19'12.1'W

Take out: 40°36'05.6'N 111°20'00.9'W

Ran this May 1 around 800 cfs and had only one small portage where the river braids, about a mile or two down from the 1000 East bridge. There are two moderately manky manmade drops in this section. I ran both on the right, although other lines are possible. There are a few decent on the fly surf waves in there but also plenty of wood on the sides to dodge.

Update: I've run this at levels from 500 cfs to 1600 cfs during May and June. The more water the better. Wood is constantly shifting so be heads up. There are a few fun, on the fly green surf waves at different levels. The Weber diversion can add 300-400 cfs to the last couple miles of the run. I usually put in at the 1000 East bridge, which is low and may be a portage at higher flows.

Fast run, fairly continuous paddling with a 750cfm flow. Two decent drops. First one easy to scout on left concrete retaining wall - ran just right of center, right of the small rooster tail. Next drop blind, immediately after right turn, stayed right and then had to paddle back to center immediately after the drop. At this flow more class II than I...definitely not the class I float advertised.

Occasional snags across one of the channels, so keep an eye out.

The middle section has the best scenery and whitewater.