Hazard Warning: Hazard information may be user-submitted and unverified. Conditions change frequently. Always scout rapids and obstacles yourself.
Put-in CA

Friant Cove

San Joaquin - Friant Dam to Mendota Pool Dam (CA)

Monitor this Rapid
Gauge Conditions
San Joaquin River below Friant CA Upstream Primary
Runnable: 150.0 – 15,000.0 CFS

Good for canoes and beginners.

Data from American Whitewater & USGS
CDEC Flow Data California
SAN JOAQUIN RIVER NFW Primary
Elevation: 5,200 ft
Data from California Data Exchange Center (CDEC)
Photo
Friant Cove
Photo courtesy of American Whitewater
Description

There is a launching area on the upstream, east side of the bridge in Friant.   In 2007, the lower parking area was eliminated and replaced with stairs and a winding access ramp.   A paved parking area was constructed up above, next to the highway.   The parking area is gated at night, but there is an empty lot on the other side of road where you can also leave a car.

Boaters can paddle upstream towards the dam and explore this interesting area.   A small rapid/cascade marks the turn around point a safe distance below the dam. 

Boaters can also proceed downstream towards Lost Lake, but need to beware of the difficulties immediately downstream.   As soon as you round the corner and pass under the bridge, an old Broken Bridge presents several obstacles directly in your way.  The water turbulence here can easily flip unskilled boaters.  

Immediately past the Broken Bridge, a grove of trees spreads across the entire river, with only two clear, but narrow channels through.  At low flows the current feeds debendably into these channels, but careful manuvering is required.   At high flows the current flushes straight through the grove and good paddling skills are required to find a safe route.   

Location
Type
Put-in
Difficulty
Class N/A
Mile Marker
0.0 mi
Directions
Navigate
View Full Run
Friant Dam to Mendota Pool Dam
San Joaquin
I 61.6 mi
Current Conditions
5-Day Forecast
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater