Paddle Report

Confluence With North Fork San Joaquin River To Hells Half Acre river run

California, USA San Joaquin River
Today high
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Tonight low
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Current flow
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% of normal
103%
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Linked streamgauge
-- cfs
Gauge height
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Confluence With North Fork San Joaquin River To Hells Half Acre -- California paddle run
Confluence With North Fork San Joaquin River To Hells Half Acre California · San Joaquin River
About this run

Confluence With North Fork San Joaquin River To Hells Half Acre

The Whitewater River Run Confluence with North Fork San Joaquin River to Hells Half Acre in California is an exciting adventure for experienced kayakers and rafters. The ideal streamflow range for this run is between 500-1500 cfs, and the class rating is III-IV. This 7.6-mile segment offers challenging rapids with steep drops, technical maneuvers, and boulder-strewn channels.

There are specific rapids and obstacles on this segment that require skilled navigation and scouting, such as Devil's Staircase, which is a series of steep drops and boulder gardens, and Hells Half Acre, which is a long and technical rapid with large boulders and narrow channels. Other rapids to watch out for include Suicide Falls, Chawanakee Rapids, and Upper and Lower Lumsden Falls.

The area is managed by the U.S. Forest Service, and visitors are required to obtain a permit for overnight camping. The Forest Service also recommends that visitors have experience in whitewater rafting and kayaking and be prepared for the remote and rugged terrain. Additionally, visitors must follow all Leave No Trace principles and adhere to fire restrictions and other regulations to protect the natural environment.

Overall, the Whitewater River Run Confluence with North Fork San Joaquin River to Hells Half Acre is a thrilling adventure for experienced whitewater enthusiasts who are prepared for the technical challenges and remote wilderness setting of this segment.
StateCalifornia
RiverSan Joaquin River
Elevation7,593 ft
Current flow--
Percent of normal103%
StreamgageUSGS 11224000
Latitude37.4086°
Longitude-119.2676°
Detailed forecast

Plan your run down to the hour

Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram; rain ahead of a run typically lifts flows 12-48 hours later depending on the basin.

Hourly detail

Next 5 days, hour by hour

Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.

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Deep dive

5-day forecast table

Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.

TimeConditionTemp (°F)Snow (in)Rain (in)Humidity (%)Wind (mps)Wind dir
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Long-term outlook

15-day temperature & precipitation

Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks -- the upstream story that drives next week's flows.

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Regional flow

Regional streamflow levels

USGS streamgauges around Confluence With North Fork San Joaquin River To Hells Half Acre -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.

Whitewater safety

Check the flow before you run
Use the linked-gauge card and Regional Flow panel above. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV+ at high water.
Know your skill ceiling
Pick runs comfortably below your ceiling. Cold-water and big-water runs raise the consequences of any mistake.
Wear the right gear
Helmet, PFD, drysuit / wetsuit when water is below 60°F. Throw bag, knife, and whistle on your person, not in the boat.
Scout, set safety, and run with a team
Scout new rapids on foot, set safety with throw bags above the consequence pool, and run with at least one other competent paddler.
Respect the river
Strainers, undercuts, low-head dams, and wood can kill at any class rating. When in doubt, portage.

Set push alerts in the Snoflo app

Save Confluence With North Fork San Joaquin River To Hells Half Acre as a favorite, set a discharge threshold (e.g. "alert me when flow hits 600 cfs"), and the iOS app pushes the moment the linked gauge crosses.

FAQ

About Confluence With North Fork San Joaquin River To Hells Half Acre

What's the optimal flow for Confluence With North Fork San Joaquin River To Hells Half Acre?

The optimal flow depends on the section and the craft. Check the Run Details panel for the linked gauge and current status.

How fresh is the cfs reading on this page?

The linked USGS streamgauge reports continuously (every 15 minutes); Snoflo refreshes throughout the day. Hover the streamflow sparkline to read individual datapoints.

What's the whitewater class?

See the Run Details panel for the class rating Snoflo tracks for this run. Class ratings change with flow -- a Class III at low water can become Class IV in high water.

Where do I put in / take out?

Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions to the put-in. For shuttle planning, check the Nearby Boat Launches panel and the river run operator's site.

Can I get alerts when flows hit the optimal range?

Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this run, set a discharge threshold, and you'll get a push the moment the gauge crosses.