San Joaquin
2. Chawanakee Gorge (Dam 6 to Reddinger Reservoir)
| Difficulty | V |
| Length | 8.3 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 137 fpm |
| Gauge | San Joaquin Chawanakee Gorge |
| Flow Rate as of 19 days | 0 cfsstale data |
| Reach Info Last Updated | March 7, 2016 |
Projects
The San Joaquin River is one of California’s most significant whitewater rivers, flowing from the high Sierra Nevada through the steep granite walls of the San Joaquin River Gorge Special Recreation Area. It is also one of the most intensively developed hydropower rivers in the state. For over two [...]Read More
River Description
Chawanakee Gorge may be one of the best 1 day, class 5 runs in California or in the USA, or in the northern hemisphere according to some of a team of boaters in 2003, who paddled this section to study the recreational potential and quality of the river. Others in the group just said, 'Wow!' They reported that there are as many as 40 to 50 big drops in the 5.6 miles of river.
John Gangemi says, 'If the creation myth is true, then God was a boater! Boating just can't get much better than Chawanakee. Mix up 50-60 Class IV to V drops, smooth Sierra granite domes, tributary waterfalls tumbling 400 feet into the gorge, lots of house-size boulders, water and you've got a paddler's mecca.'
There were only a couple mandatory portages. All class 5 drops were potentially portagable, but some class 4+ drops might not have portage routes. Portages are sometimes over very large boulders. First potential portage is an island rapid at ~mi 1.5 where a metal staircase come down from river left. Beware the hole on the right channel and shallow rocks lurking in the landing of the left channel. Second, potential portage is a steeper series of drops (substantial backed up ledge hole followed by a choked up boulder garden (beware sieves) in a slight left bend in the river, approx .75 mi below the stairs. Third potential portage is a series of 3 drop pools. first is a pinch on the right with an ominous looking 'tombstone' leaning against the left wall. Fourth potential portage is very late in the run and is recognized by it's lack of boatable channels. NOTE: at flows above 600-700 beware of holes in constricted bedrock gorges.
..
Though the river is pool drop at the optimum flow, the difficult rapids are unrelenting, with amazing class 5 drop after class 5 drop.
There is a very pretty bicycle ride along the rim of this gorge on a gated
...River Features
Put In
Take Out
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportThis is the portage around the damn
Photo is from 2010
Taylor Cavin at 'Stairway to Heaven'
300 cfs is coming down Stevenson Creek to the halfway point in the gorge. This flow will continue till the middle of September.
280 is low but still good. Spring of 2010 -- SCE maintance providing sporadic day to day flows. We started w/ ~280 and ended w/ ~420 CFS. 280 was low but we all agreed well worth doing. Great mix of bedrock and boulder gardens. Similarities to SF Yuba, Tobin, MF Feather, Rubicon. Easy Class V. Expect 450-500 to be ideal first time class V flows. I expect I would be gripped at 1000. We hit the run twice in 2 days -- Day 1 was ~6 hours w/ lots of scouting. Day 2 was down to 3-4 hours. ~4 portages including (in order) 'Taylors Tumble', Dragon's Back, Trilogy, and 'No Doors'. Scenery was outstanding! This run is a true classic (a big statement in CA). Predictable flows would cause an amazing transformation into a true whitewater destination.
Thomas M reported on Boof.com:
'I got in there with two other friends on Saturday the 20th. According to DF we started with 600 and had a high spike of 1000 towards the end of the day. We all felt that the flows that day were great. I would guess that 600-900 is ideal. There were some big holes but there were many possible routes from super big to nice little sneak lines. In my opinion at our flow this is one of the best one day class V runs in Cali for sure! It felt like a combination of Purdons, Golden Gate, and Bald Rock. The character of this run is very consistent. You get to run awesome rapids all day.'
Members of the flow study team paddle away from the put-in on Dam #6 reservoir. They had to paddle about a mile to the dam where they portaged and downclimbed to the river. There was a good current coming from the powerhouse and upstream river, but it slowed as they paddled further onto the reservoir. The road which is visible on the left goes around the reservoir but it is gated against public vehicles. The public can walk or bicycle on this road along the whole Chawanakee Gorge.
One kayaker approaches the dam while two others have already started the portage around the edge of the dam. Southern Cal. Edison really hopes that you will do some other river reach rather than risk this portage, since if you screw up here you will likely perish. On the other hand, if you want to paddle Chawanakee Gorge, then this portage better be easy for you.
The last of the study team have finished the portage and are entering the first rapid below Dam #6. The portaged required scrambling down through the trees and ropework to lower boats.
This is the final drop of a long rapid at the base of the stairs. The team had been making good time, but had lunch before running this rapid and they took a long time moving again. Everybody ran the drop fine.