2025-12-25T06:00:00-08:00
* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible. Very heavy rains that occurred earlier in the mountains continue resulting in water drainage into the Apple and Lucerne Valleys, causing the potential of flooding to continue into the overnight hours, even where it is not raining. * WHERE...A portion of Southwest California, including the following areas, Apple and Lucerne Valleys, Coachella Valley, Orange County Coastal Areas, Orange County Inland Areas, Riverside County Mountains, San Bernardino County Mountains, San Bernardino and Riverside County Valleys-The Inland Empire, San Gorgonio Pass near Banning and Santa Ana Mountains and Foothills. * WHEN...Until 6 AM PST Thursday. * IMPACTS...Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations occurred earlier in the day, and will still continue to be possible throughout the night due to the excessive rainfall taking longer to work through the local drainage systems within urban areas. Additional rainfall overnight may also worsen the threat of this. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Several structures are flooded in Wrightwood, due to recent heavy rainfalls which occurred earlier, with some areas receiving close to a foot of total rainfall. Portions of Highway 2 were closed earlier in the day due to debris flow. - https://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
Summary
The ideal streamflow range for this section is between 200-600 cubic feet per second (cfs), with higher flows creating significantly more challenging rapids. This section of the Whitewater River is rated as Class III, with a distance of approximately 10 miles.
One of the most notable rapids in this section is "Ledge Drop," which is a steep drop with a large boulder in the middle of the channel. Other notable rapids include "Little San Bernardino" and "Pinball." There are also several smaller rapids and obstacles throughout the run.
It is important for visitors to note that the Palm Canyon section of the Whitewater River is located within the San Bernardino National Forest and is subject to specific regulations. Visitors must obtain a permit from the forest service before accessing the river, and all visitors must follow Leave No Trace principles to preserve the natural environment. Additionally, visitors should be aware of potential hazards from flash floods and sudden rises in water levels.
Overall, the Palm Canyon section of the Whitewater River offers an exhilarating whitewater experience for intermediate paddlers and is a must-visit destination for those looking for a challenging and scenic river run in California.
River Run Details
| Last Updated | 2025-06-28 |
| River Levels | 0 cfs (1.42 ft) |
| Percent of Normal | 0% |
| Status | |
| Class Level | iii |
| Elevation | ft |
| Streamflow Discharge | cfs |
| Gauge Height | ft |
| Reporting Streamgage | USGS 10258500 |
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