Oxbow Bend / Ralston Afterbay to Drivers Flat Road

This is a popular summer and fall rafting river since it has dependable daily flows from Oxbow powerhouse. It is usually done in a day, but it also makes a nice overnight trip, giving time to explore the many interesting side canyons and relics from mining days. Overnight camping permits are required, and as of June 2015, it is legal to camp year round. Camping is permited in the following areas on the Middle Fork American: · Volcano Creek to Big Snyder Gulch · Gas Canyon to Browns Bar Contact Auburn State Recreation Area Whitewater Recreation Office: (530) 823-4162 CA State Parks Gold Fields District Office: (916) 988-0205 Each summer runners competing in the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run and Riders competing in The Tevis Cup cross the Middle Fork American River at Ruck-a-Chucky Campground (Drivers Flat Take-Out). To facilitate these events scheduled releases are typicaly earlier in the day and Drivers Flat Road may be closed. For the dates of these events see the respective websites: Western States 100 The Tevis Cup Two dangerous rapids stand out. Tunnel chute is a steep jagged man made channel leading to a calm float through a tunnel in the hillside. Ruck-a Chucky is a difficult portage around a big boulder jumble. Putin: Indian Bar Rafting Acess Other Information Sources: CA Creekin' description. Class V Love, by Mark White in the AW Journal Archives. Video of river closing due to high water (5,666 cfs) from gate malfunction Aug. 5, 2004 All Outdoors report of high water from gate malfunction Aug. 5, 2004 \All Outdoors Rafting video Tunnel Chute video - raft\) Rafting - R1- through Ruck a Chucky Falls- video Book References: Cassady & Calhoun, Holbek & Stanley, Martin, Penny, Gerald Meral FERC Information: Oxbow Powerhouse is one of 5 powerhouses and 7 diversions in the Middle Fork American River Project, which is presently going through the relicensing process.