Susitna
Denali Hwy Bridge to Gold-Creek Alaska RR Bridge or Talkeetna(Devil's Canyon)
| Difficulty | III-V+ |
| Length | 188.7 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | Susitna R at Gold Creek Ak |
| Flow Rate as of 34 minutes | 17400 cfsrunnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | January 13, 2012 |
Projects
History of Hydropower Proposals on the Susitna Devil’s Canyon on the Susitna River, one of North America’s most challenging and iconic whitewater runs, has been threatened with hydropower development and dreams of resurrecting this project persist. The Bureau of Reclamation originally looked at a project to dam the Susitna [...]Read More
River Description
The Susitna has been widely recognized as one of the greatest whitewater challenges in North America. The river joins the ranks of the Grand Canyon of the Stikine and Turnback Canyon on the Alsek as one of the continent's legendary class V+ bigwater runs. Only a handful of people have ever run all three.
From Susitna Lodge it's a 64 mile float down to Watana Canyon, which serves up a mile of class IV rapids. From the end of the canyon it's another 62 miles down to Devil Creek and the start of Devil's Canyon. The canyon is 11 miles of challenging class V+. Check out the comprehensive description and hand-drawn maps in Embick's guide. The description even includes a summary of all the early runs along with various lines through rapids that have been tried. Walt Blackadar's first descent can be seen on YouTube. It's another 56 miles from the bottom of the canyon to a take-out in Talkeetna which requires one to negotiate braided channels.
This run has faced past hydropower threats. A massive 1620 MW two-dam hydroelectric project was studied and a formal application was made to FERC by the Alaska Power Authority (P-7114). The project was formally withdrawn on May 15, 1986 and for now the river remains free-flowing.
Logistics
If you're coming to run Devil's Canyon, it takes some effort to actually get to the 11-mile canyon that is in the middle of an isolated wilderness. The cheapest option is to drive to a put-in where the Denali Highway crosses the river at Susitna Lodge. To reach this access, drive north out of Anchorage on the George Parks Highway (Hwy. 3) 210 miles to Cantwell. From here you'll turn east onto Denali Highway (Hwy. 8) and continue until you reach the bridge across the Sustina River at Su
...River Features
Denali Highway Bridge Crossing Put-in
Access where the Denali Highway crosses the river.
Watana Dam Site
The site of the proposed Watana Dam. Located at USGS River Mile 184.4.
Devil Creek Confluence
The confluence of Devil Creek that comes in on river right marks the entrance to Devils Canyon.
Devil's Canyon Dam Site
Site of the proposed Devils Canyon Dam. Located at USGS river mile 156.5.
Alaska Railroad Bridge
Bridge where the Alaska Railroad crosses the river.
Talkeetna River Park Take-Out
Take out on river left in the town of Talkeetna where you have convenient road access to the river.
Trip Reports
Log in to add a reportDevils Creek Run-out
Put in at Susitna Bridge
Louis Geltman and Hector AF scouting Devil's Creek from the river right
I just read the article in the Men's
Journal on this run. Though it is a nice
entertaining article, I'd reccomend Andy
Embeck's 'Fast and Cold' as a more
accurate story. The 'Men's Journal'
indicated they ran a full day of wild
whitewater before reaching Devil's
Creek Rapid to start the second day.
This clearly must be a misprint as
Devil's Creek is the first rapid in Devil's
Canyon. With at most 7 rapids in all,it
is not possible for several rapids each
day on a two day trip.
The late great Xavier Engle scouting the river left channel of Devil's Creek from the middle islands.
The late Xavier Engle hiking down to the start of Devil's Canyon.