Kern, N. Fork
3) Johnsondale Bridge to Powerhouse #3(Upper Kern)
Projects
Table of Contents Kern River #3 Hydropower Project, P-2290 Borel Hydropower Project, P-382 Kern River #1 Hydropower Project, P-1930 Kern Canyon Hydropower Project, P-178 Wild and Scenic River Management American Whitewater’s work on the Kern River has included engagement in the management of the Kern Wild and Scenic River [...]Read More
River Description
The excellent variety of whitewater below Johnsondale bridge provides several different options for boaters. Some of it easily rivals the Forks in quality and difficulty, but with more convenient access. The Forks beats this segment for scenery but not by a lot, and when you are staring at the next horizon line, who needs scenery! The river is commonly considered as several distinct sections, especially since Fairview dam forces a portage and then diverts up to 600 CFS of the flow from the river.
1) Johnsdale Bridge to Fairview Dam: Limestone Run (2.4 miles, class III-IV)
This segment of the run is free flowing so check the flows for the Kern above the Fairview Dam to get an accurate reading for this segment. Because flows are not impacted by a diversion, this section is typically an option when the powerhouse is diverting flow out of the segments below Fairview Dam. The main rapids are Brush Creek (3), Limestone (4), Joe's Diner (4), and Betty's Bakery (3). The scenery of this dramatic canyon is excellent with numerous limestone walls with small caves and dripping water. This runs down to about 450-500cfs.
2) Fairview Dam to Calkins Flat: Calkins Flat Run/Fairview (2.8 miles, class III)
This segment is signifcantly less difficult than the sections upstream or downstream. It's serves as a short intermediate run by itself or a warm up to the Chamise Gorge. Southern California Edison diverts up to 600 cfs from the river for the powerhouse near Kernville. All the runs between Fairview Dam and the KR3 Powerhouse, have shorter seasons and lower flows because of the diversion. Since relicensing, Edison reduces the diversion on weekends under certain conditions to benefit whitewater recreation (check the flow tab for more information on how to interpret the gages and determine if the river is running).
3) Calkins Flat to Gold Ledge Campgound: Chamise Gorge (4.5 miles, class IV/V)
The segment begins with Entr
...River Features
Put In
Brush Creek
Brush Creek enters from the left near the end of a class 3 rapid. There is also a very large parking area and river access here.
Fairview take out
There is roadside parking and river access at the upper end of the Fairview impoundment.
Fairview Dam
Marks the end of the Limestone section. Southern California Edison diverts up to 600 cfs from the river for the powerhouse near Kernville. All the runs between Fairview and the powerhouse, have shorter seasons and lower flows because of the diversion. Since relicensing, Edison reduces the diversion on weekends under certain conditions to benefit whitewater recreation.
Fairview put-in
From below Fairview dam to Calkins Flat is a bit less than 3 miles. This is one of easiest sections to float on the upper Kern. The put-in is downstream of the dam.
Calkins Flat Access
Use this primitive camping area as a take out for the easier upstream run or as a put in for the very pretty, but difficult Chamise Gorge section.
Salmon Falls
Upper and lower Salmon Falls are very steep and congested rapids. They are comparable to rapids found on the Cataracts of the Kern. This rapid has a bad sieve in the main channel that has resulted in a number of fatalities. Expert paddlers do run Salmon falls if they feel like it, but they are mostly portaged. The consequences of mistakes in these rapids are lost boats and bodily injury.
Ant Canyon Primitive Area
Alternate put-in access for the Gold Ledge run that gives you another mile of whitewater.
Gold Ledge Camgpround
Access point below the Chamise Gorge.
Camp 3 Campground Access
An alternate put-in access for the Camp 3 and Powerhouse runs.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportThis is one of the best stretches of whitewater in the state! I wanted to note that, since this entire stretch is roadside, you can put-in and take-out at dozens of locations. Therefore every paddler you talk to may have a different way of breaking this up into smaller sections. I thought I would leave a comment on how I have found the Kernville locals most commonly break up sections and my interpretation of difficulty (if I have time, I'll edit the description too):
1. Limestone Run (IV)
2. Fairview Run (II-III). Class IV if you add sidewinder and bombs away rapid directly below Fairview Dam
3. Chamise Gorge (IV)
4. Salmon Falls (V)
5. Ant Canyon (IV)
6. Thunder Run (V-)
7. Cables Run (III-IV)
8. Lickety Run (II)
I realize this doesn't give much info on the put-ins and take-outs, but I just wanted to point out that I never hear anyone in Kernville refer to 'Gold Ledge Run' or 'Calkins Flat Run'; these are always subdivided into smaller sections that have a more uniform difficulty
Great run! You can usually meet up with other local boaters at Riverside Park on weekend mornings around 10am. When there's enough water to hit up some of these sections they are super fun! We ran Chamise Gorge and Limestone sections, one in a kayak and the other in a raft. Here's a video of it - https://youtu.be/H\_0fs413dcw
Macy Burnham cleaning the troublesomely serious Upper Salmon Falls (V+), between Chemise and Ant Canyon
Keith Kishiyama boofing into the meltdown, Lower Salmon Falls, NF Kern