I was very concerned about them and suggested they run with us. The bridge rapid is tricky, and it’s more common than not to see swimmers struggling to get themselves to shore before the sheer walls make the bridge inaccessible. This effectively de-waters the canyon, since the water is so well-managed it rarely escapes back into its native environment. There are a couple roads that access the river through this section, including Mosquito Creek Road and Slab Creek Reservoir Road. The season of harvest festivals and the outdoor extravaganza of leaves changing colors is also a special time for crappie anglers. On September 6th, 2017 SMUD stopped diverting the river through the tunnel so they could install the new valve that will release the increased flows. They are aptly named Casting Call, and Prologue. After years of disinterest, I find a great source of inspiration right here a few miles from where I live. After these experiences, I decided that it was too unreliable to be fun, and not worth planning for. We fell out at the top of Mosquito Bridge rapid and swam all the way to the bottom. It’s a lot to deal with. The first two rapids are really testy. Though hesitant at times, we pushed ahead through many near mishaps. The dam became a 250’ waterfall, and all of the river water began flowing in its natural course again. We are sorry that this post was not useful for you! In early autumn, target stumps 4 to 8 feet deep along river channel drops on the main lake. This process is governed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). We met Mother Lode Falls, a big class V series of drops and holes. Until recently…, Slab Creek Dam is a 250’ arched wall of concrete and rebar built in 1967. Slab creek. I have a deep personal relationship with the American Rivers. It starts to feel closer to Class V, and I’m sure the swims would feel at least that serious. There’s still couple of class IV rapids including one called Pamplona since a swim here would feel like running with the bulls. When the operating agency Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) originally received their hydropower license from the federal government, the river was left with a minimal flow. COVID-19 Awareness: We are currently requiring all guests to wear face coverings when in van and bus transportation to and from the river. Slab Creek Reservoir is a cultural feature (reservoir) in El Dorado County. The river has a way of rounding the corners off a boater’s personality. A little while later, they flipped in a giant feature called Head for the Bushes, then in the next rapid Santa’s Surf. Welcome to aqua incognita. Sunken brush piles at depths of 20 to 25 feet are the key spots to catch crappie from the clear waters of deep highland reservoirs in early and late fall. When the operating agency SMUD negotiated the water rights with the federal government, the river was left with a minimal flow. Just a mile downstream, they were terminally surfed in a ledge, and we had to hike back upstream and rope them out of a rapid we now affectionately call Kelby’s Hole. At 1600 cfs it’s fast and powerful. Until recently…. Slab Creek Reservoir. Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. We sauntered around, finding out that ladybugs bite and newts live in condominiums of moss and stone on wet hillsides. My brother Daniel went out there a few times and came back with stories of good times. Nevertheless, Slab Creek has a big reputation because of the quality of its consistent whitewater. In fact, the valve at the dam’s base could only release a trickle of water. In 1997 when I was 20 years old, I paid for my first commercial river trip on the Chili Bar section and in 2000 I became a commercial river guide on the South Fork. One of the guys fell out in the second rapid, Prologue. At this time all parties interested in using the water come to the table to lobby for access and flow. This reservoir fills the bottom of the steep, forested South Fork American River canyon downstream from Forebay Road. Please do not come rafting if you at a high risk of developing severe symptoms of Covid-19. Let’s take a look at how you can catch fall crappie on lowland and highland reservoirs. Fish around any shallow wood cover with a float and 1/32-ounce tube jig combination or jig with an offset spinner. You can catch these schooling fish from 3 to 6 feet deep with a slip float and either a minnow or a 1/16-ounce tube jig. Remember to adjust these times based on barometric pressure, and weather changes. It diverts up to 3800 cubic feet per second (cfs) into a tunnel snaking eight miles west toward the White Rock Powerhouse where it rejoins the riverbed just below Chili Bar reservoir. The primary coordinates for Slab Creek Reservoir places it within the CA 95709 ZIP Code delivery area.. Maps, Driving Directions & Local Area Information I swam here before I can remember. You won’t … It was a lot less intimidating at this flow. Thanks to the policy changing efforts of many environmentalists, advocates, and concerned citizens, SMUD has had to redesign their dam to include a valve capable of releasing a “boatable” flow*. Below the bridge, if you choose to go the full 7 miles down to the Rock Creek take-out, the gradient picks up and the sieves grow more dangerous. If we can get enough participation in the forthcoming releases, it will happen. Backpacked in like 2..." Middle Fork Cosumnes River, "Just past the Sunset bridge on the Dutch Brothers side... parked at the closed Christmas tree lot,..." Antelope Creek, "Went with the wife and kid today.