American, South Fork
8. Greenwood Creek to Folsom Reservoir(The Gorge)
| Difficulty | III |
| Length | 8.9 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 23 fpm |
| Gauge | American River at Chili Bar |
| Flow Rate as of 1 hour | 1070 cfsrunnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | November 9, 2024 |
River Description
From the put in, class 2 rapids start off immediately, but then long stretches of slow, flat water separate the few rapids. The scenery is pleasant oak woodlands, grassy hillsides, or brushy chapparal. There are a few islands with interesting side channels for those with small enough boats and exploratory spirits. Once into the Gorge, the scenery is beautiful with wild cliffs and rocks channeling the river. The Gorge is distinctly different than the Chili Bar section rapids. Rapids in the gorge tend to be narrow, deep and turbulent. In the Haystack canyons, the wave trains seem to go on forever.
The Gorge is often the first Class III run for Sacramento and San Francisco area boaters. It is somewhat easier than Chili Bar and has a much more gradual warm up with many class 2 and easier rapids before boaters reach the actual gorge. On the other hand more advanced boaters may complain about these long stretches of flat water and mild rapids on the approach to the bigger rapids in the gorge.
Following Chili Bar, The Gorge is the most popular commercial run in the state. There will be lots of other rafts and kayaks on the river and each boat must show consideration for others. Kayakers will have to weave their way through rafts at times. Raft guides need to acknowledge each other and give enough space so that others can maneuver.
Thanks to the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) hydropower operations, the river has dependable flows through much of the year, with releases from the Chili Bar Powerhouse providing boating flows in the afternoon most days during spring and summer, and on most weekends for the rest of the year.
Difficulty by flow:
@ Standard flows ~ II-III (2 @ III+)
At typical summer flows of around 1200-1500 cfs, rafting is generally easy. However, some rapids pose a higher risk of flips and swims. The most challenging sections include:
\* Satan's: A steep, turbulent chute in the left chan
...River Features
Greenwood Creek River Access
Nice new parking lot with 40 spaces and free parking at Highway 49 mile post 27. The site has restrooms but no running water. This facility was constructed in 2005 on federal land and is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The access requires carrying your boats 300 yards from the parking area down a trail to the river.
Swimmer's Rapid
First rapid past the put in.
Cable Car Rapid
The river bends steadily to the right and splits around a bushy island. Rocky shoals are at the top of the island.
Fowler's Rock
The river bends left over a gravel bar then turns right towards bedrock outcrops. The current goes to the left past Fowler's Rock, then slaloms past several more equally giant rocks. Smaller boulders in the current create plenty of hydraulics. This is a very pretty and fun rapid, that marks the start of the true gorge.
Upper Haystack
This narrow section of the gorge is very pretty and has fun waves for a long distance.
Satan's Cesspool
A long moderate rapid gradually bends to the left and leads to a low rocky island. A sneak route can be taken to the right, while the standard route is to the left. The main current sweeps quickly left at the top of the island, then then is forced sharply back to the right by a cliff wall on the left. In the final chute, there is a ledge at the top right, and immediately another on the left, creating a crazy, twisting, turbulent drop.
Below the ledges the rapid is clean and deep. Swimmers have a large catch pool to collect their gear. However, the next large rapid, 'Son of Satans' is only 70 yards downstream and at high flows they will run together.
Photographers are often stationed atop the cliff on river left and also downstream on river right.
Son of Satan's
A short pool separates the end of Satan's Cesspool from the start of this rapid. The current heads straight down towards the right wall, but there is plenty of room to move left and it is an easy move, even at the last second.
Scissors
The river bends to the left above the drop, then narrows over the length of the rapid.
Lower Haystack
Another beautiful long section of canyon with mostly continuous waves starts a short ways past Scissors rapid.
Bouncing Rock
The 'Bouncing Rock' is on far river right. There is a steep drop over the bouncing rock and into a hole. There is plenty of room to avoid it if you wish, but may not have the paddling skill to avoid being swept over the rock and into the hole.
Pre-Op
The river is steadily bending to the right till it runs mostly north. Hospital Bar rapid awaits just ahead.
Hospital Bar
The river bends to the right past boulders, then bends to the left and heads down a chute highlighted by the largest wave on the river while bending back to the right.
Recovery Room
Surprise
This good rapid appears if the lake level drops low enough. The river quickly bends left at a wide gravel bar through a wave train that features a large, surprising wave/hole, which can be avoided on either side
Salmon Falls
A series read & run wave trains, chutes, and boofs that become uncovered when the reservoir level is low enough (drought season)
Skunk Hollow at Salmon Falls Road Bridge at Folsom Reservoir Take-Out
Fee required for parking (and they do ticket). Restrooms, but no running water.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportStop at the Greenwood Creek access after a run on Chili Bar.
With our board meeting and staff retreat on the South Fork American River, we had a chance to get out on the river with the community in the fall.
Photos from Saturday of Labor Day weekend 2009.