Sauk

Photos with trip report

See my trip report with a photo.

No problem passing through the rapid.

The fallen Alder tree remains in the same place on the lower right side of Jaws rapid. Higher water in the recent past did not appear to have moved the log at all. The left line is mandatory at this time. To date, at least 10 solo boaters have made it past on the left, however, the main current does go under the log. It remains unclear how difficult this move may be for an oar boat or paddle raft.

There is a serious wood hazard on river right at the bottom of Jaws rapid, blocking the most common line through the crux. The more difficult left line is clear. This will easily flip a raft. At much higher levels, swimmer and boat pins could be deadly, and since the log is near the bottom of one of the most difficult rapids on the run, the risk is real, particularly for less experienced paddlers.

Within the next couple of weeks there will likely be higher water, which could flush the log out or to the side. Please post any updates here and with local clubs.

UPDATE 5/8/23: The tree mentioned in this report has changed. The tree has broken in half and is no longer in play. All is well in regards to the tree mentioned in the initial report below).

(Initial report: 4/24 is as follows):The tree across the Sauk is approximately .4 miles (less than half a mile) down from White Chuck Boat Launch (it is not 2-3 miles down the run as previously posted, unless there is another tree). Video here: https://vimeo.com/820205457. This is a large fir tree which has fallen from the high left cut bank, and remains in tact, and is firmly stuck at this time. Repeat; this tree is located approximately .4 miles (less than half mile) downriver from White Chuck Boat Launch. It is notably upriver from the rapid which is called 'Six of One' at USGS Mile 30.8 (find this on the AW page under 'News and Info'). The tree has not moved at all in months, and we will continue to monitor it. The portage is easy for a kayaker, but will take some effort for a group of rafters. There is no way, at the current flow (approximately 800 real CFS in the river; 550 CFS at the AB White Chuck gauge, 2000 CFS at the Sauk at Sauk gauage) that any craft can fit through it at this time. The log can be scouted from the left shore with some difficulty by approaching on land from Hwy 530. To do this, if you look at google maps where the river turns to the north and away from Hwy 530, where the river is about 400 feet from the road; you can see where the river narrows and creates two channels; the tree is there. The tree is at the start of the 'oxbow', that section of the Sauk that goes away from the road and back to it again near Jaws. River runners familiar with the Sauk will recognize this spot as it commonly has smaller wood gathering at the outside bend. Notably, if a boater swam in the first rapid (the one visible from the boat launch) they may be advised to swim right to avoid swimming into the log.

There is a tree across river roughly 2-3 miles downstream from Whitechuck Boat Launch. Tree fell from left bank and spans left channel of river. Right channel too shallow for boating (observation at 1570cfs). Easy portage on gravel bar.

There’s a car in the rapid just below Bachman. At 1600 cfs, it’s easy to see from upstream, lodged on the left side of the main channel. At higher water, it may become more difficult to see and more of a hazard.

There's some new wood at Whirlpool on the left side of the right channel. Not visible at all from above, so look out. Start the right channel at center and move right.