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

Portage Route: Merced Falls Dam

Merced - 7) Merced Falls to Snelling Diversion Dam (CA)

Monitor this Rapid
Gauge Conditions
Merced River below Merced Falls DAM near Snell CA Upstream Primary
Runnable: ? – ? CFS

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

Data from American Whitewater & USGS
CDEC Flow Data California
MERCED RIVER POH Primary
Elevation: 3,862 ft
MERCED RIVER HIB Primary
Elevation: 4,016 ft
MERCED RIVER MLK Primary
Elevation: 7,300 ft
Data from California Data Exchange Center (CDEC)
Photo
Portage Route: Merced Falls Dam
Photo courtesy of American Whitewater
Description

The portage can start pretty close to the edge of the dam.  There is a flattish spot in the reeds, just upstream of a fence guarding the dam.   Carry over the levee, then down a steep bank.   Follow vehicle path along the base of the dam to an easy put in. 

Below here the river is wide and mostly flat, but usually with steady current.  At high summer flows there are two riffles in this first half of the run.   At low flows a couple more small riffles are revealed.

 

Location
Type
Portage
Difficulty
Class N/A
Mile Marker
0.4 mi
Directions
Navigate
View Full Run
7) Merced Falls to Snelling Diversion Dam
Merced
I 3.5 mi
Portage recommended — Scout before running and consider carrying around this feature.
Current Conditions
5-Day Forecast
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater