Canyon Creek

In 2012 American Whitewater completed negotiations for the Yuba Bear hydroelectric project operated by Nevada Irrigation District (NID). One of the outcomes of these negotiations was that NID would provide flow for whitewater boating in September each year.
That condition reads as follows:

YB-RR3 French Dam Supplemental Flows for Whitewater Boating

Licensee shall, beginning in the first full calendar year after license issuance, provide in all water year types a Recreational Streamflow in Canyon Creek below French Dam starting between September 1 and September 30 of each year, until the date that French Lake elevation reaches 6,638 feet (corresponding to a useable storage of approximately 7,500 acre-feet). For the purpose of this measure, a Recreational Streamflow is defined as a target streamflow of between 120 cfs and 150 cfs over a continuous 24-hour period as measured at gage YB-306.

River Description

This write-up is based on a run at 80 cfs. Based on the photos from an earlier descent I'm guessing they had 10-15 cfs more, I think a more optimum flow.

This rarely run creek saw its first descent in 1993. No it's not a South Silver, but it is a cross between Fordyce and the South Yuba-Spaulding run. Just the scenery alone is worth the trip. At times it reminded me of Tuolumne Meadows.

An hour or so hike down a gated road leads to the French Lake dam. The view downstream is impressive - continuous drops surrounded by granite. The canyon starts out with some fun drops. Pay attention, and catch a small eddy on the right to scout a 25' drop. As with many drops on this run, I think another 20 cfs would make it more appealing. Portage on right if so inclined. The drop below this has an intimidating horizon line, best scouted on the left. This is a 7' drop with a sticky hole. Running the middle gives you a boof to easily clear the hole. A few more rapids to Weil Lake, more like a pond really.

Just below

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