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

Rapid CA Class II+

The Shallows

American Whitewater 37.8186, -120.6647

Save this feature with the run it belongs to.

Gauge Conditions

Oakdale CN near Knights Ferry CA Upstream Primary

Runnable: ? – ? CFS

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

Data from American Whitewater & USGS

CDEC Flow Data California

STANISLAUS RIVER NML Primary Dam Release

Elevation: 1,135 ft

STANISLAUS RIVER TUL Primary Dam Release

Elevation: 515 ft

Data from California Data Exchange Center (CDEC)

Photo

Photo courtesy of American Whitewater

Description

The Shallows presents a technical Class II+ challenge with a series of closely spaced rock gardens that require precise boat positioning and quick maneuvering. Paddlers should anticipate multiple small hydraulics and the need to thread between larger mid-stream boulders, with the main line running along the river right, but requiring careful momentum control to avoid potential pin spots. The rapid becomes more challenging at lower water levels, where exposed rocks create additional route-finding complexity.