After a small boulder garden, most of the current drops right over a boulder bar into a fast channel along the right bank. Paddle hard and in time as the safest exit is towards center. Mile 1.5 This is an amazing rapid and interesting place that all serious California rafters should visit at least once. Copyright 2020 American Whitewater Expeditions, standard beginner to intermediate whitewater run. – The “scenic” section ends at Chunder, a fun vertical drop that can be easily scouted on the right. Mile 17.6 Mile 16.95 The American River has had a variety of names since the early 1800's. Every lake, stream or river can have bacteria – including E. coli, which is found in the intestines of mammals – from wildlife to humans Hudson Bay trappers used hollowed- out logs as canoes on the Sacramento and American rivers. After your safety talk and paddle talk, you’ll be on your way. This Summer time diversion is perhaps one of the most popular diversions with the river being chocked full of people during the hot Sacramento weekends. Take a waterproof trash bag with you and carry out what you carry in. Class II and II+ rapids continue without too much flat water. The Ruck-A-Chucky Rapid is an unrunnable Class VI 30 foot waterfall. There are lots of fun but not life-threatening rapids on this river, which can be run almost any day of the April thru September Season (you'll need a wetsuit in the Spring). Old Scary (class II-). Also beware of reversals (reverse flows) that may form at the dam, in the various rapids, or behind snags. This need not be so. Courtesy on the river is an essential part of boating. A maze of small boulders that need good paddling and boat control. Rock Garden (class II). . Wearing a PFD will help keep you afloat. Chunder is immediately followed by a mandatory portage of Ruck-a-Chucky, a 30 foot waterfall onto jagged rocks. Greenwood Creek enters on the right below, marking the end of the quiet zone. A small diversion canal removes water on the left, and a large rock is visible there, just left of center. Difficulty: Class III+ with one IV- A really fun rapid and one of the bigger hits in a raft, if you fall out then get back in the raft fast, or swim into the left hand eddy below, to avoid getting bruised in Son of Satan just ahead. You will see lovely river banks, flocks of ducks, and maybe a fish or two, but the most common wildlife sightings are of sunburned frat boys, squealing kids, and ubiquitous wielders of water cannons, super soakers, and good old-fashioned buckets. Unfortunately, a number of boating accidents occur every year on this river. Mile 15.8 Kids as young as 12 years old can enjoy tubing the waters of this exciting and scenic stretch of river with one of our skilled and friendly guides. The county prohibits boating, swimming, rafting, and floating in any manner on or in the water of the river for a distance of 150 feet downstream from Nimbus Dam. Make of this one what you will. People have been boating on the American River for hundreds of years. Swimmer's Rapid (class II). Motor-powered watercraft are allowed on the river, except from November 1 through March 15 when they are prohibited above Hagan Community Park. Play It Safe. Mile 4.3 Reversals, currents, and increased flow releases created by the dam are extremely hazardous. Mile 5.8 An easy driving distance from Sacramento, San Francisco, Lake Tahoe and Reno, our deluxe campground is located on the American River, right in the middle of historic James Marshall Gold Discovery State Park.