COSUMNES MINE ROAD TO CONFLUENCE WITH STEELY FORK COSUMNES RIVER
River Runs • Kayaking • Whitewater
November 19, 2024
National Weather Service • Until 2024-11-19T16:00:00-08:00
* WHAT...Heavy snow. Total snow accumulations 10 to 20 inches above 4500 feet, with locally higher accumulations of around 2 to 3 feet over the highest peaks. Additional accumulations of 5 to 10 inches down to around 3500 feet, and down to 3000 feet in Shasta County. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph. * WHERE...Burney Basin / Eastern Shasta County, Mountains Southwestern Shasta County to Western Colusa County, Shasta Lake Area / Northern Shasta County, West Slope Northern Sierra Nevada, and Western Plumas County/Lassen Park Counties. * WHEN...From 4 PM this afternoon to 10 PM PST Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Slick travel conditions expected, with snow covered roads and chain controls likely. The hazardous conditions may impact the Tuesday evening through Wednesday evening commutes. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow levels 3000 to 4000 feet through Wednesday morning, rising to 4000 to 5500 feet by Wednesday afternoon.
SUMMARY
| Last Updated | |
| River Levels | 3 cfs (4.07 ft) |
| Percent of Normal | +100% |
| Optimal Range | 700-2000 cfs |
| Status | Too Low |
| Class Level | iii-iv |
| Elevation | ft |
| Streamflow Discharge | cfs |
| Gauge Height | ft |
| Reporting Streamgage |
USGS 11431800 |
The Cosumnes River, located in Northern California, offers a challenging whitewater river run from Cosumnes Mine Road to the confluence with Steely Fork. This section of the river is rated Class III-IV and has a total segment mileage of 10.5 miles. The ideal streamflow range for this section is between 700-2,000 cubic feet per second (cfs), which usually occurs during the spring snowmelt or after a heavy rain.
Some of the notable rapids and obstacles on this section of the river include Meatgrinder, Troublemaker, and the infamous Swimmer's Rapid, which requires expert navigation skills. It is important to note that this section of the river is recommended for experienced whitewater kayakers and rafters only.
There are specific regulations to the area, including a mandatory vehicle shuttle and camping permit. Additionally, visitors must follow Leave No Trace principles and pack out all trash and waste. It is also important to be aware of the various private landowners along the river and to respect their property and privacy.
Overall, the Cosumnes River run from Cosumnes Mine Road to the confluence with Steely Fork offers a thrilling and challenging whitewater experience for experienced paddlers. However, proper preparation and adherence to regulations are essential for a safe and enjoyable trip.
