Snake

8 - Sheep Gulch to Palisades Reservoir

DifficultyII-III+
Length3.9 mi
Avg Gradientn/a
GaugeSnake River Above Reservoir, Near Alpine, Wy
Flow Rate as of 40 minutes
10200 cfsabove recommended
Reach Info Last UpdatedJuly 11, 2019

Projects

Snake Headwaters Wild and Scenic Management (WY)

On March 30, 2009 President Obama signed the Omnibus Public Lands Act of 2009 which included the Snake Headwaters Legacy Act that was originally introduced by Senator Craig Thomas. This milestone realized the goal of the Snake Headwaters Campaign to permanently protect the most pristine rivers and streams in [...]Read More


River Description

If the Palisades reservoir is low enough (below 60% full was suggested), this beautiful section makes a great addition to the regular West Table to Sheep Gulch run; or it can be done from Sheep Gulch to Palisades reservoir if you are short on time. At 6850 cfs, the one major rapid has waves at least as big as Lunch Counter, with stronger swirlies in the runout. At high spring flows, (like above 16K) this section is serious, harder than the Alpine canyon run.

In July of 2013, the reservoir level was down to 5542, which is low enough that the rapids are great, and the river is moving well right to the takeout.

In August 2016, with the reservoir at 5553 Aug 19, this section was in, and the river still moves to the takeout. Flow was only 3600, and this section was a definite step up from the West Table to Sheep Gulch section.

In 2018,  5581.97 ft was 56% full.

http://www.usbr.gov/pn-bin/graphrt.pl?pal_af

Reservoir level in feet, and link to elevation graph:

http://www.usbr.gov/pn/hydromet/ramps/palisades/palisades.html

Elevation graph

Teacups:

http://www.usbr.gov/pn/hydromet/burtea.html

Water year graph

Trying to correlate reservoir level with acre-feet. These levels were not 'in':

Elevation on Aug 12 2018 was 5603.87 ft, 953337 acre-feet.

Average reservoir storage on Aug 12 is 747303 acre-feet, that would probably not be in either.


River Features

Sheep Gulch

Distance: 0 mi
Access Point
Sheep Gulch

BFG wave

Class: III+Distance: 1.3 mi (approx.)
BFG wave

A great on-the-fly wave. August 2013 this is a huge fast glassy wave! 6100-6800 is good.

August 2016, 3600 is good. At this level its one of the biggest waves on the Snake, along with Kahuna and the left hole in Double D.

After a short pool below, there is a stout section with more big waves.

Palisades reservoir takeout

Distance: 3.7 mi (approx.)
Take Out
Palisades reservoir takeout

After the bridge, don't miss the takeout on river right. Rafts may need a hand as there is not much of an eddy. There are pit toilets here. The ramp is very long, and could become congested quickly.


Palisades Reservoir gage was at 5,546 ft, flow was 4,300 cfs. All of the named rapids above were splashy Class II with exception to BFG Wave, which was Class III+ reminiscent of Big Kahuna. BFG offers a great ride and is followed by an epic wave train, bigger and longer than anything encountered on the standard Alpine Canyon day run. Below BFG section is Class I to II- at best, just some riffles and swirlies. Enjoy a cold one, enjoy the float, and hope it ain't windy!