Gold Lake Dam To Falls river run
Gold Lake Dam To Falls
This section of the river covers approximately 8 miles, with several challenging rapids and obstacles. One of the most notable rapids is "Chamberlain Falls," which is a class IV rapid that features a steep chute followed by a large drop. Other rapids include "Meatgrinder" and "Limestone Rapid," both of which require skillful maneuvering and precise line choices.
It's important to note that this section of the river is heavily regulated, primarily due to the presence of endangered species such as steelhead trout. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has established strict regulations regarding fishing and boating in the area, including a prohibition on the use of lead tackle.
Overall, the Gold Lake Dam to Falls section of the Whitewater River provides a challenging and exciting adventure for experienced whitewater enthusiasts. However, it's important to follow all regulations and safety guidelines to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
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 Gold Lake Dam To Falls -- useful for spotting upstream pulses and gauging which tributary is contributing what.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| N Yuba R Bl Goodyears Bar Ca | 663 cfs | → |
| Little Truckee R Bl Div Dam Nr Sierraville Ca | 3 cfs | → |
| Spanish C A Quincy Ca | 61 cfs | → |
| Independence C Nr Truckee Ca | 10 cfs | → |
| Spanish C Ab Blackhawk C At Keddie Ca | 128 cfs | → |
| Sagehen C Nr Truckee Ca | 14 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
- Salmon Lake -Boat Ramp Boating Site
- Salmon Lake Road 1500, Sierra City
- Sardine Lake Road 990, Sierra City
- Smokey Lane 44-50, Alleghany
- Henness Pass Road, Sierraville
- Woodcamp Access Road Nevada County
Other river runs
- Falls To Gold Lake Highway
- Little Jamison Creek Headwaters To State Park
- Gold Lake Highway To Nf Boundary
- Headwaters To State Park
- State Park To Confluence With Middle Fork Feather Wsr
Campgrounds
- Lakes Basin Group Campground
- Lakes Basin Campground
- Lakes Basin .
- Gold Lake 4x4
- Haven Lake Campground
- Snag Lake Campground
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 Gold Lake Dam To Falls 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 Gold Lake Dam To Falls
What's the optimal flow for Gold Lake Dam To Falls?
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 Gold Lake Dam To Falls.