BRT Insights - WW Kayaking & Hiking

Dams for more surface water storage are probably not the best answer.

Our current wasteful and inefficient use of water in California is both bad news and good news. Waste and inefficiency is certainly bad news. The good news is that the simple and obvious water policies we should be doing to reduce our waste of water will do so much to solve the current water crisis in California.

Construction of more big dams for water storage is probably not the answer.

Schwarzenegger's director of the California Department of Water Resources has prescribed more big dams as the fix for The Delta and California's water supply crisis in our current drought year (sacbee 17oct2007). The governor's blue-ribbon commission studying how to fix the Delta has not yet presented its findings or the data that back them up. Nobody has presented any cost/benefit analysis for construction of the big dams that the governor wants us to build (Environmental Defense 10oct2007). If there are no data supporting construction of these dams, then maybe its just a macho urge to make something large and built from concrete. All of the best dam sites in California are already constructed, so any new dams would certainly store less water at higher costs than the dams of the past. Almost all of our rivers already have dams, so any new dams would only be able to capture the occasional flood flows that are too great to be captured by the old dams.

Cities can do more to conserve water.

Where I live water usage is not metered, so I could waste as much as I want without paying any extra costs. I've heard of water conserving toilets, but I haven't actually seen one in any of the homes or businesses that I have visited in recent years. Instead of wasting water to use the garbage disposals in our kitchen sinks we should all be composting our food wastes. We have acres of nice green grass and other water-wasting landscaping plants just for show, but we could get by with a lot less.

Agriculture uses most of our water, so they must do the most water conservation.

Agriculture uses 80% of our water in California. Alfalfa is a low-value crop with high water requirements; maybe this crop should be moved from California to another location where it can grow more from rainwater rather than from our precious irrigation water. (Natural Resources Defense Council)

Whenever I take a ride in the country I see irrigation water wasted in dirt-lined irrigation ditches, rather than the concrete-lined ditches we should be using. Irrigation water is applied to the plants using the same wasteful furrow and flood methods used in ancient Egypt. Swampland production of rice should be done in the swamplands of Louisiana, maybe not in artificial swamplands created in California with our precious irrigation water.

Lets enforce the 960 acre limit (Natural Resources Defense Council). The federal irrigation projects provide cheap, subsidized irrigation water to agriculture at incredibly low costs. The original legislation setting up this program was designed to help small family farmers, so there was a 960 acre limitation for farms eligible for the program. Corrupt officials have never enforced this part of the law, so the public ends up providing "water welfare" subsidies to the robber barons of our giant mega-million dollar farm corporations. Only when the taxpayer-subsidized "water welfare" programs are brought under control will big corporation agriculture have the economic incentives they need to stop wasting water and start doing agriculture in a more sustainable, water-economical way. Lets have a water policy that serves the people, not just a few big agricultural corporations.

The toxic poison lands in the western San Joaquin valley should no longer be irrigated (Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility 20aug2007) Since the toxic waste disaster at Kesterton Reservoir in 1987 scientists have not found a solution to the problem of selenium poisoning in the water drained from the irrigated agricultural fields in this area. The current water crisis provides a great opportunity to take all of these poison lands out of agricultural production. Stop irrigating these toxic lands and make that water available to other users in California. This is the water policy that makes the most sense for our future.

More about:
• California has enough water - Los Angeles Times 23oct2007.
• Water Policy Sacramento CA and California River Conservation - BRT Insights.
• Selenium Directory - toxic waste in irrigation drainage from the western San Joaquin Valley of California (29 sites).

Tags: dam, water, water storage, water policy.

Labels: conservation

Water storage in new surface reservoirs would be costly and the benefits are unproven.

California's Governor and his allies in the legislature are proposing construction of two new dams and expansion of an existing reservoir:
* Temperance Flat Reservoir on the San Joaquin River - map of proposed location.
* Sites Reservoir – off-stream near the Sacramento River - map of proposed location.
* expansion of Los Vaqueros Reservoir - off-stream in Contra Costa County - map of reservoir location.

No studies have been completed to show "how the reservoirs would be operated, who would pay for the local cost-share portions or how the reservoirs would provide environmental benefits." (Dam distraction won't help save Delta - sacbee 27oct2007.)

These dam construction proposals would "allocate unprecedented amounts of public funding for specific infrastructure projects for which feasibility studies have still not been completed." (Perata's Water Bond Package - environmentaldefense 10oct2007.)

Gov. Schwarzenegger's plan is bad governance and bad water policy. Why the desperate panic to get approval before the economic value of these water storage projects has been studied? Why the hurry to fund the projects even though no water agencies in California have committed to purchase the water that these projects would capture? I think it is likely that when the real costs are known nobody will be able to afford the small amount of very costly water that these projects could provide. Expansion of certain existing reservoirs or off-stream water storage projects might sometimes be good approaches, but I want to see customer contracts committing them to pay the full cost of all the water before construction of any new water storage project is funded with California taxpayers' money.

California's water supply can be increased via conservation & recycling

"Water conservation and recycling can easily meet our future water needs at a fraction of the cost. The 2005 California Water Plan by the Department of Water Resources states that four million acre feet of water could be saved by additional water efficiency and recycling programs." (Gov. Schwarzenegger’s Water Bond Proposal is all Wet - Sierra Club 04oct2007.) This, together with water storage via recharge of underground aquifers, is the best policy for water management in California because it will provide the lowest cost and most rapid additions to our water supplies.

California Water Plan Update 2005 - CA Dept Water Resources.

More about: Water Policy Sacramento CA and California River Conservation.

Tags: dam, water, water storage, water policy.

Labels: conservation

Whitewater River Guide & Maps - California.

Recent Flows on American River MF.

River Difficulty vs. Flow Rate.

class . . . flow (cfs)
II- . . . . 800 - 3000

Description - American River MF Greenwood Bridge Run.

The long dirt road to put-in demands a little extra dedication from anybody who wants to boat this run. In summertime the river is turned off at night. It takes approximately 5 hours for the morning release from Oxbow Powerhouse to reach the Greenwood Bridge put-in. (Placer County / El Dorado County, California, USA).

Driving Directions, Distance, Estimated Time & Road Conditions.

Mapquest provides directions, distance & time from your house to the river.
* From Davis, CA to Auburn, CA - driving time 47 minutes.

California Road Conditions (Delays or closures due to weather, construction, etc.)
* California Travel Information - highwayconditions.com.
* Road Conditions - California Dept Transportation.

Topographic River Map, Road Map & Local Business Search.

• The map below is interactive - click and drag on the map to adjust the location.
• Point or DoubleClick on the red markers below to see their names.
• Use the tool on the left to zoom and pan.
• Click on the Map button for a road map, Topo button for topographic map.
• Click on Google logo for road map & local business search (gas, food, camping).
• Full screen topo map and coordinates of additional landmarks - see below.
• Topographic map user instructions.

Topographic River Map.

Full-Screen Topographic Map - Greenwood Bridge Run MF American River.

River Landmarks - Geographic Coordinates.
Copy/paste the coordinates below into the search box at Google Maps or into the Find box at Acme Mapper.
* N 39.0060 W 120.7600, gauge on MF at Oxbow Powerhouse.
* N 38.96251 W 120.92935, Greenwood Bridge put-in (A).
* N 38.91815 W 121.00166, Mammoth Bar take-out (B).
* _______, Murderer's Bar is just downstream from Mammoth Bar (V-VI portage).
* N 38.91551 W 121.03736, North Fork/Middle Fork Confluence take-out (C).

Local weather in Auburn, California.

Plan your trip Local Radar Detailed Forecast

Online River Guides & River Flow Data for Paddle Boating.

• Mi. American - Rel Oxbow - CA Sierra West Slope - Dreamflows.
• American River NFMF Recreation & Conservation Directory.
(Display options - alphabetical 100. See section 1.)

Printed Guidebooks - American River Whitewater.

• Paddling Northern California, Charlie Pike 2001. (pg. 223-225)
• California Whitewater - A Guide to the Rivers, Third Edition 1995. (pg.112-116)
• Western Whitewater From the Rockies to the Pacific, 1994. (pg. 359)
• Ann Dwyer's Easy Waters of California North, 2000. (pg. 190-191)
• The American River: North, Middle & South Forks, 1989.
• California River Maps - Atlas & Gazetteer by Delorme, 2008.

Whitewater River Trip Reports NEEDED !!

• I'm happy to post well-written, whitewater boating trip reports from guest authors, especially if boating pictures are included. Please contact me to submit your trip report.

River Recreation Links - American River.

• American River NFMF Recreation & Conservation Directory. Website resources for the American River NFMF watershed. (Display options - alphabetical 100. Section 1=whitewater, 2=rafting, 3=conservation, 4=fishing, 5=camping-hiking, 6=local-info)

More about:
• Use of these white guides to water river kayaking and rafting - BRT Insights.
• Nearby rivers & creeks: American River NF/MF, American River SF, American River Parkway, Sacramento River Valley Region.
• Whitewater River Guides for California.

Tags: kayaking, paddle boating, American River, river, California, river map, whitewater.

Labels: guide

Whitewater River Guide & Maps - California

Recent Flows on American River SF.

The flow on SF American is measured just upstream from put-in (station id=7638).

River Difficulty vs. Flow Rate.

class . . . flow (cfs)
III+ . . . 700 - 3000
IV . . . . 3000 - 15000

Description - American River SF Chili Bar Run.

This is a popular run due to the great rapids, great playspots and the long season of boatable flows due to dam releases. (El Dorado County, California, USA).

Driving Directions, Distance, Estimated Time & Road Conditions.

Mapquest provides directions, distance & time from your house to the river.
* From Davis, CA to Coloma, CA - driving time 1 hour, 7 minutes.

California Road Conditions (Delays or closures due to weather, construction, etc.)
* California Travel Information - highwayconditions.com.
* Road Conditions - California Dept Transportation.

Topographic River Map, Road Map & Local Business Search.

• The map below is interactive - click and drag on the map to adjust the location.
• Point or DoubleClick on the red markers below to see their names.
• Use the tool on the left to zoom and pan.
• Click on the Map button for a road map, Topo button for topographic map.
• Click on Google logo for road map & local business search (gas, food, camping).
• Full screen topo map and coordinates of additional landmarks - see below.
• Topographic map user instructions.

Topographic River Map.

Full-Screen Topographic Map - Chili Bar Run SF American River.

River Landmarks - Geographic Coordinates.
Copy/paste the coordinates below into the search box at Google Maps or into the Find box at Acme Mapper.
* N 38.77185 W 120.81365, Gauge at Chili Bar Dam.
* N 38.76626 W 120.82197, Chili Bar put-in (A).
* N 38.76988 W 120.83244, Meatgrinder Rapid (III+) (B).
* N 38.77122 W 120.84274, Racehorse Rapid (II+) (C).
* N 38.77242 W 120.84858, Maya Rapid (II+) (D).
* N 38.78594 W 120.85785, Triple Threat (III) (E).
* N 38.79918 W 120.88231, Troublemaker Rapid (III+) (F).
* N 38.80881 W 120.90149, Hwy 49 Bridge take-out (G).

Local weather in Coloma, California.

Plan your trip Local Radar Detailed Forecast

Online River Guides & River Flow Data for Paddle Boating.

• So. American - At Chili Bar - CA Sierra West Slope - Dreamflows.
• American River SF Directory.
(Display options - alphabetical 100. See section 1.)

Printed Guidebooks - American River white water.

• Paddling Northern California, Charlie Pike 2001. (pp 226-230)
• Best Whitewater in California, Third Edition 1998. (pg 178-179)
• California Whitewater - A Guide to the Rivers, Third Edition 1995. (104-111)
• Western Whitewater From the Rockies to the Pacific, 1994. River guidebook, pg 355.
• Ann Dwyer's Easy Waters of California North, 2000. (pg. 192-193)
• The American River: North, Middle & South Forks, 1989.
• California River Maps - Atlas & Gazetteer by Delorme, 2008.

Whitewater Trip Reports.

• Kayaking Chili Bar On The South Fork American video - lunaticrider209 10aug2010
• Chili Bar Run, American River SF, kayaking class III, 19april2008.
• Chili Bar Run, American River SF, kayaking class III, 29mar2008.
• Chili Bar Run, SF American River, Feb 25, 2006 (III).
• Chili Bar Run, SF American River, Feb 12, 2006 (III).

River Recreation Links - American River.

• American River SF Recreation & Conservation Directory. Website resources for the SF American River watershed. (Display options - alphabetical 100. Section 1=whitewater, 2=rafting, 3=conservation, 4=fishing, 5=camping-hiking, 6=local-info)

More about:
• Using the white water river paddleboating guides - BRT Kayaking.
• Rivers & creeks nearby: American River NF/MF, American River SF, Cosumnes River, Sacramento River Valley Region.
• Whitewater River Guides for California.

Tags: kayaking, paddle boating, American Riverriver, river map, California, whitewater.

Labels: guide

Whitewater River Guide & Maps - California.

(a.k.a. Confluence Run) The flow on this run is the sum of flows on the NF American River and MF American River.

Recent Flows on American River NF.

Recent Flows on American River MF.

The water level in Lake Folsom will determine how many miles of flatwater paddling are needed to reach take-out.

The flow on NF American River is measured not far upstream from put-in. The flow on MF American River is measured very far upstream at Oxbow Powerhouse, so it will take about 9 hours hours before flow changes at Oxbow Powerhouse will reach the put-in for this run.

River Difficulty vs. Flow Rate.

class . . . . flow (cfs)
II . . . . 300 cfs
III . . . 1000 cfs

Description - American River NF-MF Auburn Confluence Run.

Recently reopened run that passes the site of the failed Auburn Dam project (Placer County / El Dorado County, California, USA). Beautiful canyon with some class II & III whitewater and lots of flatwater.

In springtime put-in on NF American just below Lake Clementine to run the class III section down to The Confluence. In summer put-in on MF American just upstream from The Confluence to add one more interesting rapid to the run.

From the put-in at The Confluence it is 5 miles to Oregon Bar take-out. The Oregon Bar take-out road is visible as a line on the river-right canyon wall. The river divides into two or more channels, so stay in the right channel to avoid going past the takeout. Oregon Bar is a brutal take-out!! There is a pretty steep, very rough trail from river's edge up to the road, and then a long hike up a steep gravel road to the locked gate which is the place closest to the river where cars can drive. Then the drivers get to hike even farther to the place where the cars have to be parked. Its a bit of a fitness test!! The entrance road is gated and locked at 9 PM, so don't be late getting out of there!!

It is 10 miles from The Confluence to take-out at Rattlesnake Bar boat ramp. When the lake is low the boat ramp and parking are quite high up and quite far from the edge of the lake. It is possible to drive down into the canyon on loose dirt tracks a little farther down the lake. Then shuttle vehicles can be parked close to the waters edge.

Driving Directions, Distance, Estimated Time & Road Conditions.

Mapquest provides directions, distance & time from your house to the river.
* From Davis, CA to Auburn, CA - driving time 47 minutes.

California Road Conditions (Delays or closures due to weather, construction, etc.)
* California Travel Information - highwayconditions.com.
* Road Conditions - California Dept Transportation.

Topographic River Map, Road Map & Local Business Search.

• Topographic map user instructions.
• Full screen topo map and coordinates of additional landmarks - see below.

Topographic River Map.

Full-Screen Topographic Map: Auburn Run NF American River.

River Landmarks - Geographic Coordinates.
Copy/paste the coordinates below into the search box at Google Maps or into the Find box at Acme Mapper.
• N 38.93593 W 121.02495, gauge on NF at North Fork Dam (A).
    - alternate put-in below Lake Clementine (winter & spring).
• N 39.0060 W 120.7600, gauge on MF at Oxbow.
• N 38.91388 W 121.03681, North Fork/Middle Fork Confluence - Put-in (B).
• N 38.88191 W 121.06148, Artificial Rapids (III) (C).
• N 38.87540 W 121.05801, Birdsall River Access.
• N 38.86246 W 121.06004, Oregon Bar River Access - alternate take-out (D).
• N 38.81818 W 121.08633, Rattlesnake Bar boat ramp - Take-out (E).
    - notice powerlines overhead near take-out.

Local weather in Auburn, California.

Plan your trip Local Radar Detailed Forecast

Online River Guides & River Flow Data for Paddle Boating.

• American River NF-MF China Bar artificial rapids (III).
• American River NFMF Directory.
(Display options - alphabetical 100. See section 1.)

Whitewater Trip Reports.

• Middle Fork American River Tubing 3 video - TubeNation.net 18june2009.
• Auburn Confluence Run, NF American River class III, 30aug2008.
• Auburn Confluence Run, NF American River class II 30aug2008.
• Auburn Run, American River NF class III winter2008.
• American River Confluence run - classtwokayakers 08june2008.
• American River Confluence Run - Rambling Ruminations 02april2008.
• Auburn Run, American River NF/MF, California whitewater kayaking class III, winter2008.
• American River at Auburn has been restored/enhanced 23oct2007.

River Recreation Links - American River.

• American River Recreation & Conservation Directory. Website resources for the American River watershed. (Display options - alphabetical 100. Section 1=whitewater, 2=rafting, 3=conservation, 4=fishing, 5=camping-hiking, 6=local-info)

More about:
• Using the white water river paddleboating guides - BRT Kayaking.
• Rivers & creeks nearby: Bear River (Nevada/Placer County), American River NF/MF, American River SF, Sacramento River Valley Region.
• River Guides for California Whitewater.
• California River Maps - Atlas & Gazetteer by Delorme, 2008.

Tags: kayaking, American River, river map, paddle boating, river, California, whitewater.

Labels: guide

Whitewater kayaking and rafting will soon return to the reopened section.

(Updated 26oct2007.) The former site of the failed Auburn Dam project is being cleaned up and the rescued section of river will be available again for whitewater boating sometime early in 2008. Boaters who run this section while construction is still underway risk being ticketed. This is river run is located within Auburn State Recreation Area which is now managing the recreational uses of the river and the surrounding canyon land. (Placer County / El Dorado County, California, USA)

An artificial class III whitewater rapid has been constructed in the restored section.

It will be interesting to see what develops here. When a new access road is completed nearby this could become a great new park and play site for whitewater boaters.

More about: Dam plans washed out; river stretch restored - sacbee 23oct2007.
Construction on dam site river channel - Auburn Journal 21feb2007.
Trip Reports - Whitewater River Kayaking in California.

Tags: river, kayaking, whitewater, rafting.

Labels: trip

California's water storage may be replenished after last year's below average precipitation.

"Forecasters say La Niña will bring a greater chance of heavy rain in Northern California through February." (La Niña's back - so brace for a possible deluge - sacbee 18oct2007.) Hopefully this will refill our water storage reservoirs and make a great season for whitewater river kayaking.

Flooding catastrophes have occurred in California during previous La Niña years.

Unfortunately, some of California's most catastrophic river floods have occurred in La Niña years. Warm winter storms called Pineapple Express deliver great amounts of precipitation and in addition may cause sudden melting of the mountain snowpack. This can lead to massive killer floods. Sacramento will remain extremely vulnerable to flooding for the next ten years while the Folsom Dam upgrades are under construction. Lets hope that our levees hold up through another winter and protect the Sacramento floodplain!!

More about:
Flooding Protection & River Conservation Sacramento California.
Sacramento Flood Control Directory.

Tags: water, floodplain, river, flooding, dam, levee.

Labels: conservation

A sensible new approach for flood control.

Especially in a state where higher ground is so readily available I think that it is immoral to locate homes and businesses on flood-prone lands - places that are likely to flood sooner or later.

California's Governor Schwarzenegger signed two flood-protection bills - sacbee 14oct2007. "SB 276 by Sen. Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, will allow the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency to improve levees and Folsom Dam to provide 200-year flood protection. AB 930 by (Assemblyman Dave Jones, D-Sacramento) enables SAFCA to purchase easements outside its boundaries in the Sacramento Valley, an effort to prevent farmland from being developed."

Waters may rise, but so will region's readiness - sacbee 29sept2007. AB 930 will allow "SAFCA to acquire easements from willing landowners in the Sacramento Valley. The agency's goal is to help upstream farmers keep their land undeveloped. Farms and wetlands act like a sponge for potential flood waters." SB 276 will "allow SAFCA to speed up work on Folsom Dam and levee upgrades to bring Sacramento to 200-year flood protection."

Flood-prone lands along our rivers should be used for farming, water-based transportation, recreation, wildlife habitat, river channels and flood corridors. I hope that this legislation and California's other new flood protection laws will redirect most of our future home and business developments away from the floodplain and onto higher ground that is less susceptible to flooding.

Ten more years of extreme flood risk for Sacramento CA.

I am glad to see that flood control in California is finally moving in the right direction. Nevertheless, Sacramento CA will remain highly vulnerable to flooding for ten more years while the Folsom Dam and levee upgrades are under construction.

More about: Flood Protection Sacramento CA and California River Conservation.
Sacramento CA Flood Control, Prevention, Protection and Safety Directory.

Tags: flooding, dam, levee, water, floodplain, river conservation, river.

Labels: conservation

State and Federal actions signal a new era in California flood control

Waters may rise, but so will region's readiness - sacbee 29sept2007. "The corps (Army Corps of Engineers) and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation are working well together on a new spillway for Folsom Dam that will greatly reduce flood risks on the American River." I am ecstatic to hear that these dam and levee upgrades have begun, but for many years while the Folsom Dam project is under construction Sacramento will remain at incredible risk for flooding.

California governor signs six bills to provide flood safety - sacbee 11oct2007. "Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation Wednesday to phase in growth restrictions in flood-prone areas throughout the Central Valley. The Republican governor approved six bills designed to force cities and counties to consider flood risks in the planning process ..." In this post-Katrina world our old habits of building at the bottom of the floodplain are clearly unsustainable.

Historic Package of California Flood Bills Becomes Law - California Progress Report 11oct2007. "The Governor’s signature on these bills sets California on a new course toward protecting its citizens from flood disasters, especially those in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta region."

A Flood of Cheers for Better Flood Protection in California - California Progress Report 11oct2007. "The flood package will help to protect lives and property, improve local land use planning, and safeguard the state and its taxpayers from increased exposure to liability for damages caused by flood."

Flood of progress in California - sacbee 12oct2007. "Despite lobbying by Sacramento officials, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has informed the city it will not approve a designation allowing unrestricted building in Natomas while its levees are being upgraded."

Feds to limit growth in Natomas area of Sacramento - sacbee 12oct2007. "FEMA says North Natomas development will be curbed because of the flood risk." This may be the best news of all. Flood-prone lands like Natomas should remain in farming forever. Home and business developments in California should be built on higher ground where expensive levees and flood control dams are not needed.

More about: Flood Control Sacramento CA and California River Conservation.

Tags: river conservation, river, flooding, dam, levee, water, floodplain.

Labels: conservation

Whitewater River Guide & Maps - California

Recent Flows on Bear River.

1. Dreamflows - Bear River flows at Hwy 174 (just upstream from this segment).

2. The gauge shown below is quite far downstream. Does anybody know if this gauge ever has any predictive value for flows on the whitewater sections upstream?


3. In the spring when other Sierra rivers are flowing strong it may be worth just taking a chance on going to this segment in case it is running. Have a backup plan in case the flow in the Bear River is not sufficient when you get there.

River Difficulty vs. Flow Rate.

class . . flow (cfs)
II+ . . . 200 - 1200

Description - Bear River Lower Run - Ben Taylor to Dog Bar.

Nice run for class II boaters. Dams, diversions and tunnels that transfer water from one watershed to another make it hard to predict when this river segment will have boatable flows. (Nevada County / Placer County, California, USA).

Driving Directions, Distance, Estimated Time & Road Conditions.

Mapquest provides directions, distance & time from your house to the river.
* From Davis, CA to Colfax, CA - driving time 1 hour, 3 minutes.

California Road Conditions (Delays or closures due to weather, construction, etc.)
* California Travel Information - highwayconditions.com.
* Road Conditions - California Dept Transportation.

Topographic River Map, Road Map & Local Business Search.

• The map below is interactive - click and drag on the map to adjust the location.
• Point or DoubleClick on the red markers below to see their names.
• Use the tool on the left to zoom and pan.
• Click on the Map button for a road map, Topo button for topographic map.
• Click on Google logo for road map & local business search (gas, food, camping).
• Full screen topo map and coordinates of additional landmarks - see below.
• Topographic map user instructions.

Topographic River Map.

A=Put-in. B=Takeout.
Full-Screen Topographic Map: Bear River.

River Landmarks - Geographic Coordinates.
Copy/paste the coordinates below into the search box at Google Maps or into the Find box at Acme Mapper.
* N 39.10978 W 120.98784, Ben Taylor Road - Put-in (A).
* N 39.06268 W 121.00288, Dog Bar Road - Take-out (B).
* N 39.04429 W 121.01183, Peaceful Valley Road - alternate take-out (C).
* N 39.05000 W 121.31700, CDEC gauge at outflow of Camp Far West Dam (D).

Local weather in Colfax, California.

Plan your trip Local Radar Detailed Forecast

Online River Guides & River Flow Data for Paddle Boating.

• Bear River Directory.
(Display options - alphabetical 100. See section 1.)

Printed Guidebooks - Bear River white water.

• Sierra Whitewater - A Paddler's Guide ... 1974. (pg. 60-67)
• Paddling Northern California- book by Charlie Pike. (pg. 204-206)
• Ann Dwyer's Easy Waters of California North, 2000. (pg. 186-187)
• California River Maps - Atlas & Gazetteer by Delorme, 2008.

Whitewater River Trip Reports NEEDED !!

• I'm happy to post well-written, whitewater boating trip reports from guest authors, especially if boating pictures are included. Please contact me to submit your trip report.

River Recreation Links - Bear River.

• Bear River Recreation & Conservation Directory. Website resources for the entire Bear River watershed. Outdoor recreation: kayaking, innertubing, camping, hiking. (Display options - alphabetical 100. Section 1=whitewater, 2=rafting, 3=conservation, 4=fishing, 5=camping-hiking, 6=local-info)

More about:
• Using the white water river paddleboating guides - BRT Kayaking.
• Rivers & creeks nearby: (Yuba River, Lavezzola Creek, Pauley Creek), American River NF/MF, Sacramento River Valley Region.
• River Guides for California Whitewater.

Tags: kayaking, paddle boating, river map, river, California, whitewater.

Labels: guide

After all my efforts to get this blog indexed in search engines and linked from as many places as possible it is interesting to get some feedback on how many readers the blog attracts and where in the world they are located.

Labels: blog, map

.

"There is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."

Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows.

BruceW's email signature and the book by Grahame have provided another lightning bolt of profound truth.

I can come up with a long list of good reasons, or just express the emotions. I've done lots of things and had lots of hobbies through the years. Nevertheless, when I have a day to spend I can't think of anything I rather do than go whitewater kayaking on the river with a great group of friends.

More about: River Quotes & Philosophy of Kayaking on Whitewater Rivers.

Tags: whitewater, river, river quotes, kayaking.

Labels: philosophy

Whitewater River Guide & Maps for kayaking, canoeing, rafting & tubing.

Recent Flows on Butte Creek.

(id=6850)

River Difficulty vs. Flow Rate.

class . . flow (cfs)
II+ . . . 200 - 1200

Description - Butte Creek near Chico.

Popular training run for class II boaters. Outstanding scenery in the "Little Grand Canyon" of Butte Creek (Butte County, California, USA).

Driving Directions, Distance, Estimated Time & Road Conditions.

Mapquest provides directions, distance & time from your house to the river.
* From Davis, CA to Chico, CA - driving time 1 hour, 49 minutes.

California Road Conditions (Delays or closures due to weather, construction, etc.)
* California Travel Information - highwayconditions.com.
* Road Conditions - California Dept Transportation.

Topographic River Map, Road Map & Local Business Search.

• The map below is interactive - click and drag on the map to adjust the location.
• Point or DoubleClick on the red markers below to see their names.
• Use the tool on the left to zoom and pan.
• Click on the Map button for a road map, Topo button for topographic map.
• Click on Google logo for road map & local business search (gas, food, camping).
• Full screen topo map and coordinates of additional landmarks - see below.
• Topographic map user instructions.

Topographic River Map.

A=Put-in. B=Takeout.
Full-Screen Topographic Map: Butte Creek.

River Landmarks - Geographic Coordinates.
Copy/paste the coordinates below into the search box at Google Maps or into the Find box at Acme Mapper.
* N 39.78890 W 121.65778, Powerhouse at Centerville - Put-in (A).
* N 39.72910 W 121.70330, Bridge - Take-out (B).
* N 39.72600 W 121.70900, CDEC gauge (C).
* N 39.71046 W 121.74892, Alternate Take-out ?? (D).

Local weather in Chico, California.

Plan your trip Local Radar Detailed Forecast

Online River Guides & River Flow Data for Paddle Boating.

• Butte Creek Directory.
(Set display options - alphabetical 100. See section 1.)

Printed Guidebooks - Butte Creek white water.

• Ann Dwyer's Easy Waters of California North, 2000. (pg. 176)
• California River Maps - Atlas & Gazetteer by Delorme, 2008.

Float Tubing - Innertubing.

• Float Tube (Innertube) Skills, Techniques and Safety for your River Trips.
• Equipment for Float Tubing - BRT Insights.

Whitewater River Trip Reports NEEDED !!

• Please contact me to submit your trip report. I'm eager to post or link to well-written, whitewater boating trip reports from guest authors, especially if boating pictures or videos are included.
• Butte Creek tubing whitewater video - POPEoLOPE 16may2010.
• Butte Creek Whitewater Tubing - Trapped in Chico.

River Recreation Links - Butte Creek.

• Butte Creek Recreation & Conservation Directory. (Set display options - alphabetical 100. Section 1=whitewater, 2=rafting, 3=conservation, 4=fishing, 5=camping-hiking, 6=local-info)

More about:
• Using the white water river paddleboating guides - BRT Kayaking.
• Rivers & creeks nearby: Deer Creek, (Feather River, Indian Creek, Spanish Creek), Sacramento River Valley Region.
• River Guides for California Whitewater.

IceRocket Tags: rafting, river tubing, float tube, kayaking, canoeing, whitewater, river map.
Tags: kayaking, paddle boating, river map, Butte County, California, river, whitewater.

Labels: guide

Kayaking, Rafting & Canoeing Guide & Maps - Colusa County, California USA.

Flow on Bear Creek.

River Difficulty vs. Flow Rate.

class flow (cfs)
IV 200 - 1200

Description - Bear Creek.

Flows rise rapidly during rainstorms and then drop rapidly after the rains stop. Although Hwy16 is close to the creek for a considerable distance, this lightly traveled road does not detract from the boating experience or the scenery at creek-level. (Colusa County, California, USA)

Driving Directions, Distance, Estimated Time & Road Conditions.

Mapquest provides directions, distance & time from your house to the river.
* From Davis, CA to Rumsey, CA - driving time 1 hour, 2 minutes.

California Road Conditions (Delays or closures due to weather, construction, etc.)
* California Travel Information - highwayconditions.com.
* Road Conditions - California Dept Transportation.

Topographic River Map, Road Map & Local Business Search.

• The map below is interactive - click and drag on the map to adjust the location.
• Point or DoubleClick on the red markers below to see their names.
• Use the tool on the left to zoom and pan.
• Click on the Map button for a road map, Topo button for topographic map.
• Click on Google logo for road map & local business search (gas, food, camping).
• Full screen topo map and coordinates of additional landmarks - see below.
• Topographic map user instructions.

Topographic River Map.

A=Put-in. F=Takeout.

Full-Screen Topographic Map: Bear Creek.

River Landmarks - Geographic Coordinates.
Copy/paste the coordinates below into the search box at Google Maps or into the Find box at Acme Mapper.
* N 39.0399017 W 122.4078979, Bear Creek / Sulphur Creek confluence - Put-In (A).
* N 39.01166 W 122.36108, Hwy 20 bridge (B).
* N 38.99797 W 122.35405, Cowboy Camp - Alternate put-in (C).
* N 38.97172 W 122.34032, Bridge 1 (D).
* N 38.95791 W 122.34264, Bridge 2, CDEC gauge (E).
* N 38.92653 W 122.33294, Take-out Bear Ck / Cache Ck confluence (F).

Local weather in Rumsey, California.

Plan your trip Local Radar Detailed Forecast

Online River Guides & River Flow Data for Paddle Boating.

• Bear Creek Directory.
(Display options - alphabetical 100. See section 1.)

Whitewater River Trip Reports NEEDED !!

• I'm happy to post well-written, whitewater boating trip reports from guest authors, especially if boating pictures are included. Please contact me to submit your trip report.
• Bear Creek in California video - peterkayak 07jan2008.

River Recreation Links - Bear Creek.

• Bear Creek Recreation Directory. (Display options - alphabetical 100. Section 1=whitewater, 2=rafting, 3=conservation, 4=fishing, 5=camping-hiking, 6=local-info)

More about:
• How to use guides to white water river rafting and kayaking - BRT Insights.
• Rivers & creeks nearby: Stony Creek/Grindstone Creek, Cache Creek, Putah Creek, Sacramento River Valley Region.
• Paddleboating Guides for California Whitewater Rivers.
• California River Maps - Atlas & Gazetteer by Delorme, 2008.

Tags: kayaking, paddle boating, river map, paddlesport, California, river, whitewater.

Labels: guide