Sacramento River river run
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Sacramento River
The run covers a total of 13 miles, starting from the Redding Powerhouse No. 2 all the way to the Highway 44 bridge. Along the way, paddlers will encounter notable rapids such as the "Boulder Drop," "Cleat," and "Slaughterhouse." These rapids require significant skill and experience to navigate safely.
To ensure safety and preservation of the river, there are specific regulations in place for the Whitewater River Run. Paddlers are required to wear personal flotation devices (PFDs) at all times while on the river. Additionally, paddlers must adhere to a strict "pack it in, pack it out" policy, and no camping or fires are allowed along the riverbanks.
Overall, the Whitewater River Run on the Sacramento River offers an exhilarating and rewarding experience for experienced kayakers and rafters. However, it is important to always prioritize safety and follow regulations to protect both oneself and the environment.
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.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
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.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks -- the upstream story that drives next week's flows.
Regional streamflow levels
USGS streamgauges around Sacramento River -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Sacramento R Ab Bend Bridge Nr Red Bluff Ca | 13,300 cfs | → |
| Cottonwood C Nr Cottonwood Ca | 76 cfs | → |
| Battle C Bl Coleman Fish Hatchery Nr Cottonwood Ca | 248 cfs | → |
| Cow C Nr Millville Ca | 39 cfs | → |
| Mill C Nr Los Molinos Ca | 143 cfs | → |
| Anderson-Cottonwood Id Cn At Sharon St Redding Ca | 258 cfs | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest boat launches, other paddle runs, and campgrounds so a day on the water can grow into a full weekend.
Boat launches
- Bend Bridge Fishing Access
- Jellys Ferry
- Jelly's Ferry
- Main Street 98, Red Bluff
- Red Bluff Recreation Area, Red Bluff
- Sycamore Campground Boat Launch
Campgrounds
- Massacre Flat
- Reading Island
- Sycamore Grove
- Sycamore Grove Campground
- Camp Discovery Group Campground
- Camping World
Fishing spots
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 Sacramento River 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.
About Sacramento River
What's the optimal flow for Sacramento River?
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.
Other runs near here
Snoflo-tracked paddle runs within driving distance of Sacramento River.