San Joaquin

While taking this photo, I almost drifted into the snag. The channel between Mendota and Firebaugh is mostly open and clear, but a few downed trees and snags will be found along the way.

On the morning of April 21, 2011, two men accosted a paddler at the small dam at mile 46. The men, representing land owners, told the paddler that the land and river were private property and that they would not allow him to continue downstream. The paddler went back upstream to Sandy Mush Road and called to get picked up by friends. The paddler did not get the name or contact information from the landowner.

American Whitewater believes that this section of the San Joaquin is legal to float and that it is legal to portage any dams that need to be portaged. Land owners do not have any legal right to prevent boaters from paddling on the river or from portaging obstructions. Diplomatically assert your right to float. Private land owners can not legally stop you. Only a sheriff's officer or other police officer can legally detain you. Politely continue on your way, but get their name and contact information. If an officer of the law does come and detain you, do what ever they say, but explain your understanding that the river is a legally navigable waterway. Get the name of the officer so that we can follow up. Then contact American Whitewater.

I have been planning a trip down the San Joaquin River. My understanding has always been that navigation of waters below the high water mark is permitted. These people are claiming that the water is being 'diverted' into the flood ways lying on their property. Can someone please advise me if it is legal for me to continue on down the river in this section? If i am contacted by these guys, i want to have a good knowledge of navigation laws to support us! thanks!

This view is from on top of the dam looking at the outflow and towards the boat ramp area. The outflow from the dam could have some good play potential, but for all the fishermen casting their lines into it.
Firebaugh has a nice riverside park with this gazebo, playgrounds, and picnic areas. The odd structure in the river was a foundation for a rotary bridge. In the early days there was a lot of river boat traffic on the San Joaquin up to and past Firebaugh. Instead of building a draw bridge to let the boats get by, the bridge rotated horizontally out of the way.
Typical scene along the river near Firebaugh with fishermen enjoying the river. Cultivated fields are just beyond the narrow, bushy riparian zone.
Fishermen must have the best luck when they fish the outflow. The structure to the right of center may be a fish ladder. With plans to restore the Salmon run on this river, passage past this dam will be an important issue. The dam is constructed with vertical openings which are blocked by wooden planks. The planks can be added or removed to raise or lower the level of the pool behind the dam.

That is Mendota Pool Dam. There is probably some playboating potential in the outflow but only when nobody is fishing.

The boat ramp in the foreground is the easiest put in for boating down to Firebaugh.