River Conditions

This page reports on estimated snowpack and projected water levels for each river that we run. We will start posting season estimates in early January of 2009, and will continue to adjust our estimates according to current snowpack until April 1.

9/14/08 Last Update

The Merced river should be raftable through late July. The last 10-14 days of the season we will only be offering our low water family 1/2 day trips, both morning and afternoon. High water May 15 - June 10

The Kings river should be raftable through July and perhaps into early August depending on April storms.  High water May 10 - June 15

The Tuolumne river should have excellent flows through September 1, with high water May 20 - June 15

The American River should be raftable into mid September.

Note:  The Tuolumne and American rivers are dam controlled rivers, hence the long season.  The Kings and Merced are natural snow-melt rivers without upstream dams, and depend totally of snowpack depth from the previous winter for length of season predictions.

A word about Wetsuits and Water Levels:

Depending on the previous winter snowpack, river levels can vary from very high to very low to everything in between. Generally, our rafting season starts in early April, and ends in late September. Our dam-controlled rivers (Tuolumne and American) have longer seasons, and our natural flowing rivers (Kings and Merced) have shorter seasons. On a normal snowpack year, the Tuolumne and American can have raftable flows into early October, while the Kings can be raftable into early August, and the Merced into early to mid July. In high water years, the Kings and Merced can have raftable flows into September, and August, respectively. 

Wetsuits are required during April, May, and into early June. Most outfitters in California charge you to rent wetsuits. We do not! We provide you with a full length "Farmer Bill" style wetsuit and paddle jacket at no extra cost. We want you to be warm, safe, comfortable, and to be able to enjoy the higher water flows (bigger waves) and spring wildflowers that spring trips can provide. Wetsuits are not required during the summer months.

Please feel free to call one of our adventure consultants at 1-800-431-3636. We would be happy to advise you and your group of the best time to raft and the best river for your particular needs. We hate voice mail, so if you do call with questions, you will be talking with one of us immediately.