This is a scenic rural area of the Provo river, with some small surf spots and splashy wave trains. There are two diversion dams; and in 2008 there was a report of a barbed wire fence. As with all sections of the Provo, there will be wood. On 4/23/2012, one riverwide log portage was reported. ~350 is on the low side for this run, mostly class 2 with some class 3 at the diversion drops. At higher flows the wood avoidance could make the run more difficult. The start of the run is reminiscent of Uintas runs, with cold water, forests and lots of wood potential.
The first diversion can be approached and scouted from the right side. It can be portaged on the right although this is a fun two-tiered rocky drop (class II+/III). You'll then go through a few meanders where there are a few logs and at times a barb-wired fence. As you come to the second diversion dam, the river splits in two and can best be scouted from the island. This drop is the most difficult on the run (class III+ at higher water), rocky, and at times has a log. At high water, do not eddy out right of this diversion unless you are going to portage it, because its a difficult ferry with pin potential to get back left to run the drop.
A bit after this, there is a delta where there the river splits in a few channels, generally with log piles on the head ends of the channel choices.
A shorter section (one hour) between the two Bench Creek Road bridges has some of the better paddling.
Rt 35 to the second Bench Creek Road bridge is also a good section, particularly at lower flows when the diversions are taking water.
Here are some mileages from the uppermost accessible putin, to Jordanelle:
0.0 Rt 35 putin (please respect the no parking and no tresspassing signs around the private roadways and private property).
1.9 first Branch Creek Road bridge, possible takeout or putin.
4.5 first diversion drop, a boulder jumble at lower flows.
5.2 head end of an long thin island in the middle of 2nd diversion drop, left channel suggested. Can scout from the island at lower flows.
5.3 2nd diversion drop
6.3 Second Bench Creek Rd bridge, possible takeout.
8.1 multiple channel choices (there may be channel choices throughout)
8.5 1000E (S Woodland Vw Dr on google maps), possible takeout/putin, and the divider of the AW sections 4 and 5.
Many channel choices and logs in this 5 miles.
13.4 Rt 32. If you have a state parks pass then its no problem to park in the park, and scout a takeout. Or could pay the day use fee.
14.1 footbridge in the state park
14.9 Jordanelle boat ramp.
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This run description begins an effort to define the Provo runs better. Here is an outline of the runs above Deer Creek:
0\. Above upper Provo Falls ('Little Bunny Foo Foo', there is nothing paddleable above there, as there are multiple tiny tributaries). 1. Upper Provo Falls, Slate Gorge, Big Slide and Second Box 2. Soapstone to Pine Valley campground (fairly serious wood avoidance and a half dozen portages for wood. 4.5 miles. it is a beautiful forest run with some nice wavetrains) 3. Pine Valley campground to Woodland (rarely done, about 3 miles but a long shuttle, supposedly has even worse wood, looks quite braided on Google maps) 4. Woodland to 1000 East bridge (this run, about 6 miles) 5. 1000 East Bridge to Jordanelle (many channel choices at high water; lots of wood, but no portages in 2010. About 10 miles) 6. Jordanelle to Deer Creek (popular fishing stretch, boating is not allowed) 'Middle Provo'.
Note: 2 through 6 are were called 'Soapstone to Deer Creek Reservoir'.
Currently, 7 is 'Deer Creek reservoir to Utah Lake', which contains these sections: 7. Deer Creek to Vivian Park 8. Bridalveil 9. Upper Provo town run 10. Middle Provo town run 11. Lower Provo town run
Flow probability forecast:
https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/probability\_information.php?wfo=slc&gage=woou1