Sultan
2. Powerhouse to Fishing Access
| Difficulty | III-IV+ |
| Length | 2.1 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 50 fpm |
| Gauge | Sultan River Below Powerplant Near Sultan, Wa |
| Flow Rate as of 14 minutes | 322 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | May 25, 2025 |
Snohomish PUD operates the Jackson Hydroelctric Project on the Sultan River. American Whitewater has a direct interest in river and riparian conservation and resource protection, appropriate public access to the river that protects resource values, and instream flows for the benefit of fishery resources, river and riparian condition, and [...]Read More
While technical creek runs higher up in the basin sit waiting for the spring snow melt, the Sultan can be enjoyed through the winter. It is also an option at the end of snowmelt when hydropower operations keep flow in the river. The Sultan offers a more technical paddling experience for those who are looking for an alternative to another Sky trip.
Most trips start at the Powerhouse, but this run can be extended by two miles upstream making a great 4 mile run if the gage for the upper below the diversion dam is reading at least 300cfs. This is the Horseshoe Bend section easily reached by continuing up the Chaplain Lake Road and taking a hike. See shuttle details above. The Horseshoe Bend section puts in right below Marsh Creek Falls and features a beautiful short gorge with numerous Class 3 rapids.
From the Powerhouse, the river tightens up a bit and plunges through a couple of technical class III+ drops. The most significant drop, Last Nasty, comes early in the run after passing through the first few drops. It's marked by a large eddy on river left, a rock wall on the left, and a large boulder near the center of the channel at a spot where the river takes a slight bend to the right.
Last Nasty can most easily be scouted or portaged on river right (although the eddy at the top of the drop on river left looks inviting scouting from this side is more challenging). The rapid itself requires a right, left, right set of moves with opportunities for skilled boaters to eddy out in between the sequence of drops and holes that need to be negotiated. It's worth a scout to pick your line and check for wood around blind corners. The crux move is the last ledge where you want to be far right almost up against the rock.
After Last Nasty the river continues with more technical class III+ drops similiar to the ones at the start of the run. There are a number of nice surfing waves and a couple of good pop up spots.
Once the river flattens out and home
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You can access the river from either river right or river left. Snohomish PUD made a put-in trail on the downstream river right side of the bridge. An alternative access is also available on the upstream river left side of the bridge.
Access on river right across the river from the powerhouse accessed from Lake Chaplain Road.
Last Nasty can most easily be scouted or portaged on river right (although the eddy at the top of the drop on river left looks inviting scouting from this side requires some spiderman moves). The rapid itself requires a right, left, right set of moves with opportunities for skilled boaters to eddy out in between the sequence of drops and holes that need to be negotiated. It's worth a scout to pick your line and check for wood around blind corners.
Public take-out on river left maintained as a public access by Snohomish PUD as a condition of their hydropower license.
