Truckee
2. Floriston (or Farad) to Verdi, NV
| Difficulty | III |
| Length | 10 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | Truckee R a Farad Ca |
| Flow Rate as of 36 minutes | 1210 cfsrunnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | February 13, 2022 |
River Description
If you start out your run at Floriston you can hike up a short distance to run Bronco which is the last rapid on the section above this one ( Alpine Meadow Road to Floriston). Most of this run consists of class II rapids which become fun class II/III at higher flows. Beware of three diversion dams on this section particularly as flows increase. Although they have been run at various times, they can also be deadly at certain flows. The most significant rapid on this section is Deadman's which can push class IV at higher flows with some big hydraulics. Here the river piles up against bedrock on river right.
Logistics
Access for this section is available at Floriston which is Exit 199 off I-80. After exiting, head underneath the highway to a parking spot on river right near the railroad tracks. If you are going to start your run with Bronco just head up the dirt road on river right between the river and the railroad tracks. It's about a 15 minutes walk to the top of the rapid. Alternate put-in access is available 1.7 miles downstream at Farad at exit 201. A decent take-out that avoids one of the diversion dams is available off Quilci Ranch Road but it's a little tricky to find and it helps to have a decent guide. Alternatively you can continue down to Crystal Creek Park in Verdi where access is available on the upstream river right side of the 3rd Street Bridge.
Additional Information
The Truckee Meadows Water Authority publishes a river recreation map. Download the pdf from the map link to the right or you can pick one up at their offices in town. Call 775-834-8000 or visit the office at 1155 Corporate Blvd. in Reno.
Additional Sections
...River Features
Floriston Exit 199 Put In
Put-in at the Floriston Exit 199 on the upstream river right side of the Interstate 80 Bridge. Put in downstream of Bronco Rapid or walk up to run it if you want to start your run with this challenging rapid.
Blowout Rapid
Rapid at the former site of the Farad diversion dam, a 15' high and 200' wide earth and gravel-filled diversion dam that diverted river flow to the Farad Powerhouse and was damaged in the 1997 floods.
Farad Hydropower Plant
The Farad Hydropower Project (FERC P-4161) was constructed in 1899 by the Truckee River General Electric Company as the first hydropower project on the Truckee River to provide power for the local silver mines. It contained two generating units with a combined capacity of 2.5 megawatts. The Sierra Pacific Power Company operated the project until a 1997 flood severely damaged the project rendering it inoperable. Truckee Meadows Water Authority assumed control of the facility but in 2017 determined that reconstruction of the project was not financially viable.
Farad Exit 201 Access
River access is available at this exit off Interstate 80 on river left just downstream of the Farad Powerhouse.
Fleish Diversion Dam
The diversion dam is run at certain flows. If you are uncertain or lack local information, the safe bet is to portage on the left.
Steamboat Canal Diversion Dam
This dam can be portaged on the right.
Alternate Take-out Quilci Ranch Road
Alternative access point that avoids the last dam.
Verdi Diversion Dam
This diversion dam has brackets that are not easily visible from upstream. At certain flows you can bump down the dam in the gaps between brackets. Most just portage on the left.
Crystal Creek Park Take Out
Convenient access on river right in the park just downstream of the Interstate 80 bridge.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportRan this section as part of a three day, two night overnighter [partially] with fellow packrafters Sami Feld and Andy Rich and some innertubers. This shuttle was fun – I staged a bike at the Amtrak station in Truckee on my way to park my car at the put-in, Silver Creek. I then paddled all the way to Reno, getting a Lyft to the Amtrak station, training back to Truckee, and biking back to Silver Creek.
The funnest sections are near the town of Truckee and near Floriston for sure – we portaged Jaws but will get after it next time!
400cfs is too low in my opinion– there was a lot of scraping.
The American Whitewater crew, past and present, out with Charles Albright for his birthday paddle. Kevin Colburn, John Gangemi, Jack Henderson, Thomas O'Keefe, Risa Shimoda, and Dave Steindorf were all in town for River Rally and had an opportunity to get out for a quick run on the Truckee River. We paddeld from Farad down to Crystal Creek.
A quick afternoon park and play session at Floriston.