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

Low Head Dam

Alameda Creek - Sunol to Niles Junction near Fremont (CA)

Monitor this Rapid
Gauge Conditions
ALAMEDA Creek Near NILES CA Downstream Primary
Runnable: 400.0 – 1,000.0 CFS
Data from American Whitewater & USGS
CDEC Flow Data California
ALAMEDA CREEK ALN Primary
Elevation: 86 ft
Data from California Data Exchange Center (CDEC)
Photo
Low Head Dam
Photo courtesy of American Whitewater
Description
The Low Head Dam on Alameda Creek is an extremely hazardous hydraulic structure that creates a deadly recirculating "keeper" hole, making it strictly off-limits to all watercraft. This low-head dam forms a uniform, river-wide hydraulic that traps and drowns even experienced paddlers, with no safe passage through or around the structure - rescue is nearly impossible once caught in its powerful backwash.
Location
Type
Rapid
Difficulty
Class N/A
Mile Marker
3.7 mi
Directions
Navigate
View Full Run
Sunol to Niles Junction near Fremont
Alameda Creek
III 5.0 mi
Current Conditions
5-Day Forecast
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater