Pit
Pit 5: Pit 5 Dam to Pit 5 Powerhouse(Pit 5 Run)
| Difficulty | IV |
| Length | 9.3 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 45 fpm |
| Gauge | Ph-27 Pit River at Big Bend |
| Flow Rate as of 15 days | 478 cfsstale data |
| Next Release | Sat, August 1, 2026 |
| Reach Info Last Updated | February 6, 2026 |
The Pit 5 reach offers both a class III run and a Class IV run. The run has a remote wilderness appeal, with few roads and only a few structures along the way. The Class IV run begins just below at the newly constructed Madesi put-in below the Pit 5 Dam. The first rapid below the put-in is very brushy. This rapid can be avoided, with some effort, by putting in below. Shortly below this rapid is the one Class V rapid on the run. It is a chunky boulder-strewn affair, with a partial portage option on river left. From this point down to Big Bend the river is fairly continuous class III/IV. Be aware, that there are several braided sections where picking the correct channel is important. If you do not wish to paddle the class III section, you can take out at the bridge in Big Bend. The best take-out is just below the bridge on river right.
The Class III section begins at the bridge in Big Bend. This is a nice class III section that can be run at the 400 cfs base flows. The first rapid below the Big Bend Bridge called 'Bad Alder' can be tricky, mainly because of vegetation encroachment. Shortly below this rapid there are several hot springs, all on river left. The take-out is just at the Pit 5 powerhouse on river left.
As part of the new license that American Whitewater worked to negotiate, releases for boating will occur in August and September on the Pit 5 reach. Realtime flow information is now available on the American Whitewater website. Also look to the release calendar under the flow section of this page for scheduled flow releases.
Logistics
To reach the Pit 5 take-out at the Pit 5 Powerhouse, take Hwy 299 East from Redding. About 4 miles past the small town of Montgomery Creek turn left on Big Bend Road. After traveling 14 miles on Big Bend road you will turn left on Pit 5 Powerhouse road. Continue down this road 4.3 miles. Just past the bridge you will see a river access sign. The take-out is across the river from the
...
Madesi River Access below Pit 5 Dam on river left has a river access point, bathrooms, and camping.
This rapid is right below the put-in. The channel in this rapid is braided and full of vegetation. The middle channel seems best, but this could change in the future.
Chunky boulder-strewn rapid. It can be difficult to scout and is the hardest rapid on the run. A sneak is available on the far left.
Access at this intermediate access point is on river right just downstream of the bridge in Big Bend. The river has more challenging class IV whitewater upstream of this access point, but is only class III below this bridge.
This is a long Class III immediately below Big Bend. This rapid is compicated by the fact that much of the water pushes into the overhanging vegitation on the right bank.
Long Class III, Hot Springs are at the bottom of this rapid on the left. The river braids at the top of this rapid. The left channel is generally the best.
This rapid is below where Kosk Creek comes in on the right. One of the prettiest parts of the river.
The take-out is on river left across the river from the James B. Black Powerhouse (aka Pit 5 Powerhouse). The access site has a large parking area and bathroom.
Oct 19, 2020
This rating is somewhat incorrect. The upper stretch is class IV at 1,200cfs dropping at 80fpm. Almost impossible to scout due to bank brush. At 1,600cfs Wetstate has a better description:
http://www.awetstate.com/Pitt5Upper.html
It is not III+ at any flow.
Aug 1, 2017
Unusable boat ramp build by PG&E. Use of the ramp puts paddlers at the top of an unrunnable chute.
