Yuba, South

Character: Mix of bedrock and polished boulders. Long continuous rapids with multiple channels, big holes and sieves. Very few points of egress out of this canyon once you are in. That said, this is a world class run if you like class V/V+ river running. The first mile or so is warm up class IV+. Then, its class V/V+ all the way to the 49 bridge.
This run is a definite step or two up in difficulty and consequences from the Hwy 49 to Bridgeport run. It is similar in character to Tobin on the NF Feather and Cherry Creek (ending Merals pool) -- more sieves and bit more continuous in places than Cherry Creek.

Link this up with the section below, taking out at Bridgeport for one of the best ~12 miles of easily accessable whitewater in California!

Flow: 600 cfs is a reasonable minimum level (locals would say 750). 750-900 cfs is good -- padded with some push.
>1000, the holes just keep getting bigger…>1400 -- pros only. Easier at lower flows.

Winter: commonly runs from rain. Spring/Summer: usually runs into June based on the snowpack.

Hazards: Serious sieves and big holes throughout the run. Strongly recommend you paddle with someone who knows this section of river or plan on a lot of scouting. 1) First portage is 1.5 miles into the run after a long pool where the river bends sharply to the right. A deck is currently visible at river level and house sits high on the left bank. This rapid can be snuck thru a side channel on river left.
2) A broken dam about ½ way through the run = Recirculating broken ledge hole. Sneek left thru a side channel.
3) River wide sieve ~1/2 mi to a mile below the dam (Not obvious). Portage/sneak left.
4) Sieve Rapid just upstream of HWY 49 pedestrian bridge. >95% of flow is sieved. Many swimming deaths have occurred here – Portage Left. ~Stay Safe!

More Info:

A GUIDE TO THE BEST WHITEWATER IN THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, HOLBEK & STANLEY, 1988