Hazard Warning: Hazard information may be user-submitted and unverified. Conditions change frequently. Always scout rapids and obstacles yourself.
Portage CA Class IV

Chunder (a.k.a Upper Ruck-A-Chucky or Duck Soup)

American, Middle Fork - Oxbow Bend / Ralston Afterbay to Drivers Flat Road (CA)

Monitor this Rapid
Gauge Conditions
MF AMERICAN River Above Middle Fork PH Near FORESTHILL CA Upstream Primary
Runnable: ? – ? CFS

Approximate - nearest available gauge. Use as general reference only.

Data from American Whitewater & USGS
CDEC Flow Data California
AMERICAN RIVER OXB Primary
Elevation: 1,070 ft
AMERICAN RIVER LON
Elevation: 6,410 ft
AMERICAN RIVER BIL Dam Release
Elevation: 6,400 ft
Data from California Data Exchange Center (CDEC)
Photo
Chunder (a.k.a Upper Ruck-A-Chucky or Duck Soup)
Photo courtesy of American Whitewater
Description

Chunder is a straightforward Class IV ledge drop. However, 80 yards downstream of Chunder is Ruck-A-Chucky Falls--a 30' Class V+ to VI waterfall. The right side of Ruck-A-Chucky is a Boulder Sieve that is very fatal. If the crash into the boulders at the bottom doesn't kill you, the recirculating hole with the water crashing down on you will. Most rafts run Chunder and give paddlers the opportunity to walk-around. A swim here is easy as a pool separates Chunder from Ruck-A-Chucky, but urgent nonetheless. If you are not prepared to run Ruck-A-Chucky and you think that Chunder might give you trouble, PORTAGE on river right.

Location
Type
Portage
Difficulty
Class IV
Mile Marker
14.3 mi
Directions
Navigate
View Full Run
Oxbow Bend / Ralston Afterbay to Drivers Flat Road
American, Middle Fork
II-IV(V+) 15.2 mi
Portage recommended — Scout before running and consider carrying around this feature.
Current Conditions
5-Day Forecast
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater