Putah Creek

Ran it yesterday at ~600 CFS. The rapid immediately following the Otter Pool (the rapid is called the ''Long Arm of the Law') after Fly Fishing Rapid is a a definite hazard at this level and needs to be noted.

The right channel is mandatory, and once you get on it you'll see there is an old Oak Tree branch about 1-1/2' ft in diameter that grows over the entire right channel and at this flow it is overhanging just high enough for your kayak to clear under but not your body. We tried to duck under it with no luck. Hit my (helmet protected) head on the branch and knocked me off my boat immediately. I was able to grab ahold of the right bank to safety right after the branch but my buddy had no such luck. Instead of ducking (like I tried), he attempted the limbo under the tree and still hit his head, knocking him out of the boat and he ended up swimming the entire rapid. He took a beatdown from the numerous rocks down the rapid and his boat was pinned against a rock at the bottom.

This is NOT a Class 2 rapid and needs to be upgraded at this flow rate (anywhere from ~500-900 CFS) because of the hazard and the long length of the rapid.

Here is a photo of the rapid at ~480 CFS and you can see it's barely just low enough to possibly clear the Oak Tree branch on river right ( http://cacreeks.com/photos/putahl05.jpg ), and it would still need to be a quick maneuver.

This rapid is a mandatory portage at just a bit higher flows than pictured.