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

Rapid CA Class III

Surprise

American, South Fork - 8. Greenwood Creek to Folsom Reservoir (CA)

Monitor this Rapid

Gauge Conditions

SF American River near Pilot Hill CA Downstream Primary

Runnable: ? – ? CFS

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

Data from American Whitewater & USGS

CDEC Flow Data California

AMERICAN RIVER JNC Primary Dam Release

Elevation: 4,468 ft

AMERICAN RIVER ICH Primary Dam Release

Elevation: 5,454 ft

AMERICAN RIVER AMK Primary

Elevation: 3,840 ft

Data from California Data Exchange Center (CDEC)

Photo

Photo courtesy of American Whitewater

Description

This good rapid appears if the lake level drops low enough. The river quickly bends left at a wide gravel bar through a wave train that features a large, surprising wave/hole, which can be avoided on either side