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

Tunnel Chute

American, Middle Fork - Oxbow Bend / Ralston Afterbay to Drivers Flat Road (CA)

Monitor this Rapid
Gauge Conditions
MF AMERICAN River Above Middle Fork PH Near FORESTHILL CA Upstream Primary
Runnable: ? – ? CFS

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

Data from American Whitewater & USGS
CDEC Flow Data California
AMERICAN RIVER OXB Primary
Elevation: 1,070 ft
AMERICAN RIVER LON
Elevation: 6,410 ft
AMERICAN RIVER BIL Dam Release
Elevation: 6,400 ft
Data from California Data Exchange Center (CDEC)
Photo
Tunnel Chute
Photo courtesy of American Whitewater
Description

Tunnel Chute is a violent narrow steep chasm the entire river flows through. Immediately below the chute is a 90' long calm rock tunnel that gives the rapid its name. Blasted by gold miners, the chute leading to the tunnel has sharp sides that can damage rafts, kayaks, and people. River right is a vertical rock wall. River left is waterfall that runs the entire length of the chute. Swimming here may be just a quick flush down the center of the chute, but it easily could result in injuries if a swimmer is pounded against the rock wall on the right, or perhaps a deeper and longer experience if the swimmer gets caught in the holes at the bottom of the falls on river left.

Location
Type
Hazard
Difficulty
Class IV+
Mile Marker
2.1 mi
Directions
Navigate
View Full Run
Oxbow Bend / Ralston Afterbay to Drivers Flat Road
American, Middle Fork
II-IV(V+) 15.2 mi
Hazard — Exercise extreme caution in this area.
Current Conditions
5-Day Forecast
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater