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

Kerchoff dam

San Joaquin - 4. Patterson Bend (Kerckhoff Reservoir to Kerchoff #1 PH) (CA)

Monitor this Rapid
Gauge Conditions
San Joaquin River near Auberry CA Upstream Primary
Runnable: ? – ? CFS

Approximate - nearest available gauge. Use as general reference only.

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
Kerchoff dam
Photo courtesy of American Whitewater
Description

There is a dock on the left, that provides an easy take out.   However, this is PG&E property and the route around the left side of the dam on walkways and stairs is now fenced off.  This is off limits to boaters. Boaters could avoid PG&E property by bushwacking along a large pipeline, across a small drainage to eventurally connect with a trail that leads downstream.  The other option is to portage the right side (north side) of the dam.  There is no trail on a steep, rocky and brushy hillside.  Below the dam on the north side are broken cliffs, that will likely require rope work to descend.  The hillside on the north side of the dam is reportedly private property.

 

Location
Type
Portage
Difficulty
Class N/A
Mile Marker
1.8 mi
Directions
Navigate
View Full Run
4. Patterson Bend (Kerckhoff Reservoir to Kerchoff #1 PH)
San Joaquin
III-V 11.6 mi
Portage recommended — Scout before running and consider carrying around this feature.
Current Conditions
5-Day Forecast
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater