San Joaquin

Patterson Bend has a reputation as a hard run because of the old write up in the Holbeck & Stanley guidebook.    By modern standards it is a pretty moderate run.  Unfortunately, dependable flows are rare enough that boaters don't get a chance to see what it is really like. The scenery is outstanding and most of the rapids are in the class 3 range.  There are a number of wonderful class 4 rapids along the run, but only three class 5 rapids in Patterson Bend, plus two more down in the K1 to K2 section.   At moderate flows, all rapids are pool drop with long catch pools below.

The first big caveat is that it requires work to do this run.   It requires work to paddle two miles across Kerchoff reservoir, then carry around the dam.   It is work to hike up to your car at the end.   It requires lots of work to get around Binocular Rapid if you choose not to run it.   It is easy to spend an hour or more if you portage.   It can take quite awhile just to scout.

The second big caveat is that when this run does get spill, the flows are much more often high than moderate.  Also flows can fluctuate from moderate to high, quickly and frequently.  Most of the run is probably really good at high flows, but the big rapids pose serious issues for scouting, running or portaging.

Prior to 1982 and the construction of the big Kerchoff #2 powerhouse, this section had dependable flows through the summer.   The old timers got to boat it a lot.   After 1982 flows became rare and it was nearly impossible to know when they occurred.   Since 1998 real time flow information has been available on the internet.   Now boaters can at least see when there is flow and how weird the patterns are.    If you want to boat this section it is best to go with the willingness to boat at whatever flow you get.   Fortunately the run is excellent over a wide flow range.

Getting there: From Fresno, take highway 168 into the foothills. Turn left on Auberry Road to th

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