San Joaquin
6. Millerton Lake Bottom (Kerchoff #2 PH to Millerton Reservoir)
| Difficulty | III |
| Length | 3.5 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 20 fpm |
| Reach Info Last Updated | November 19, 2021 |
Projects
The San Joaquin River is one of California’s most significant whitewater rivers, flowing from the high Sierra Nevada through the steep granite walls of the San Joaquin River Gorge Special Recreation Area. It is also one of the most intensively developed hydropower rivers in the state. For over two [...]Read More
The BLM has determined that the San Joaquin River Gorge is eligible for inclusion the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
River Description
The Millerton Lake Bottom run is a short introduction to the main stem San Joaquin River. It is a good introduction. It has a classic San Joaquin feel with a deep and relatively narrow channel, banks of amazingly sculpted granite and big powerful drops. It is also runnable most years for a few months, typically August, September, October and November, with big flows ranging up to 5,000 cfs. This section of the San Joaquin is usually hidden beneath Millerton reservoir, but each summer the level of the lake gets lower as outflows exceed inflows. By the end of summer up to 3 miles of river can be revealed. Flows are provided into the river from an underground PG&E powerhouse.
The San Joaquin River Gorge Recreation Area (SJRGRA) provides access to the start of the run.
Getting There:
From Fresno, take highway 168 through Prather. Continue east for 2 or 3 miles, then turn left off of highway 168 onto Auberry Road heading north to the town of Auberry. Go through Auberry till the road splits by the school. Veer left onto Powerhouse Rd. After just 2 or 3 more miles turn left onto Smalley Rd and follow it to the SJRGRA.
From the north, take highway 145 from Madera through Friant to Auberry road. Turn left onto Auberry Road and drive east on Auberry Rd to the junction with highway 168 at Prather. Continue on as described above.
Put-in: Once in the San Joaquin River Gorge Recreation Area go all the way to the West end of the road at a gate and park. Carry your boats over the gate and down the road to the water (big switchback), or hike the trail which drops down more directly to the river. As you approach the gate turn right into the lower parking area. The trail starts at the right hand side of this lower parking area. The river elevation is about 220 feet below the parking area.
Take-out: Here is the co
...River Features
Put In
First drop
This is the first significant drop on the run. Although it is not big, it has several odd and tricky ledge holes. Scout from either side, but probably a bit easier to scout on the river left. The main line is from the right back towards the center. There can be a shallow sneak route down the left edge.
Mileage and location marker are close, but approximate.
Turbo Wave
At high flows this forms a huge and very fast wave. At lower flows, rocks show or form holes. The conservative line is down the right edge. Scouting is easiest from the river left, but requires clamboring over large boulders. This is an impressive drop, short but very steep.
Can Opener
Following Turbo Wave, float a short narrow channel. Where the channel opens up again it suddenly drops over a small waterfall. The Can Opener rock kicks up an impressive spray in the center of the falls. A narrow line is just to the right of the Can Opener. At some flows you can also boof the falls a bit further to the right. This is the most difficult rapid on the run.
There is an easy take out for scouting on river right.
Wave Train
This is the longest rapid on this run, consisting of good sized waves and laterals with large eddies on either side. It offers interesting play at many flows. One time I saw a full sized creek boat do a mystery move while trying to surf in this rapid. The canyon is opening out into the Temperance Flat basin at this rapid.
The mileage is a rough estimate while the coordinates are close but approximate.
Surprise
After a long section of slow flat water the river picks up speed with a fairly long class 1 to 2 lead in. Suddenly it plummets down a steep but clean ramp. This is the last of the big class 3 drops in this section and though it is the easiest, it may have the most vertical of them all. Unfortunately it appears out of the lake for the shortest duration and may not show at all in some years.
The mileage is just an estimate at this time, while the location marker is also very approximate. The actual location could be a few hundred yards upstream or downstream.
Take Out
Last Fling
This rapid only appears when the reservoir is at its very lowest level, so it seldom shows up. It is a small rapid, but at many flows, there is a great nose stand wave in the middle of the rapid, with a good service eddy as well.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportRob and Evan were beginners who had been paddling class 2 for 3 months. They were ready for something more and this run was available. They had a great time, even though they spent time upside down.
This small waterfall is the most intimidating drop in the Millerton Bottoms section. It does tend to overturn kayaks.