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With dam removal complete and the accesses to the river taking shape, the Upper Klamath whitewater scene and offerings will be completely different from anything in the past. New sections of river that were under reservoirs are now open. Previously inaccessible sections are now accessible. And sections that water bypassed for hydro operations now have water. There are new put-ins and take-outs. Names have been changed to original Shasta Nation verbiage. Our intent here is to unpack all of this information and present it in a way that is easier to understand both in a historical context and what it means for Noahs River Adventures and our guests moving forward. New offerings and experiences from us, new trips to take, new rapids to run and new places to to see!!
What we lost…
From the late 1970’s until 2023, the Upper Klamath (Spring Island to Stateline or Copco) was our bread and butter summer whitewater trip. Sandwiched in between two reservoirs, it provided a reliable “Big Water” experience throughout the summer. Due to Hydropower operations and the “peaking” of flows, we had incredible(and artificial), consistent volume even into deep summer when other river’s volume decreased. For the last 15 years, 1700 cfs(cubic feet/second) was the standard flow for our day trips. With the dams removed, the river is no longer able to peak and the flows are consistent. Lower but consistent.
What we gained… (starting upriver near Klamath Lake)
Keno (Keno dam to Pioneer Park West)
Starting below the Keno dam (yes there is still a dam on the river), the Keno reach is a little over 7 miles. It is primarily a class 3 run with one class four. The volume on this run will be similar to what it has always been, but with less variation. The summer flow is too low for rafting and too big for inflatable kayaking. It could come into play for us in the spring to combine with other runs for a long class 4+ or 5 trip. The Keno stretch was never very popular due to a long paddle out of J.C. Boyle reservoir. That reservoir is no longer there. Very pretty scenery and isolated.
- Upper Klamath Spring Big Water Shuffle – Trip will be live in the near future! Check back.
Big Bend (Pioneer Park West to Spring Island)
This run is a gem. At a little over 6 miles, Big Bend packs a serious punch. At a rate of 83 feet per mile, the river drops into a smaller canyon with long technical rapids that are very similar to the Hell’s Corner run. Before dam removal, this section was “bypassed” and only had a trickle of water (100cfs) at the top. There is a large amount of input from springs here (approx. 200cfs) so the end of the run always has more water. If you have ever been with us before, you have seen this section on the way to the put-in. The canal that carried water around Big Bend has been removed and is to become a trail. At its lowest summer flows it is a bit too low for rafting. Spring will be great and could last into early July some years. It will most likely be combined with another run to provide a Spring class 4+ or 5 adventure. We need many laps up here to dial in the flow info.
- Upper Klamath Spring Big Water Shuffle- Trip will be live in the near future! Check back.
Hell’s Corner Canyon (Spring Island to Copco Access 1)
Home… Our happy place and a cornerstone of Noahs for 40+ years. It’s still there only with less overall water. Most likely averaging 850cfs instead of 1700cfs. We have been up there getting some runs and it still has a great personality for its 17 miles. It’s not as big and explosive but way more active and technical with a slower pace. The drops are bigger. Waves still fill the boat. The scenery is still incredible. Water is still warm. Because of the length of the shuttle and the slower pace, we will run this in combination with another section as a two day trip using our old lunch site between Scarface Charlie and Dancehall as a camp destination. So happy to be back up there on this Class 4+ masterpiece.
Kikaceki Valley, formerly Copco (Access 1 to Kutarawax-u)
Hidden underneath the former Copco reservoir is this beautiful and mellow 6 mile piece of water. Mostly class 1 with a couple class 2 rapids. This new section of the Klamath River meanders back and forth in a very beautiful valley. There is no break in the current so we are moved through the valley as if on conveyor belt.
Kikaceki Canyon, formerly Wards Canyon (Kutarawax-u to Fall Creek)
Another whitewater standout, Kikiaceki Canyon is a fast paced and technical class 4+. The river cuts through an ancient lava flow and reveals truly stunning scenery. Vertical columnar basalt cliffs line one side of this brand new 3 mile piece of whitewater. Very few breaks in the action traveling through the canyon. Like Big Bend, Kikaceki was “bypassed” in between 2 reservoirs. It remained like this for so long that mature trees were growing in the river channel. A coalition of indigenous groups went in and removed most problem trees. They did a fantastic job and the run is ready to explore.
Kucascas Valley, formerly Iron Gate (Kucascas to Bush Creek)
The last piece of water to reveal itself from under the Iron Gate reservoir is the last new run and a perfect beginner to intermediate boaters. Class 2-3, busy and fun with swift current throughout. Accessible to everyone and close to I5, it should be a very popular piece of river. 6.5 miles downriver of the put-in, the old Iron Gate dam site comes into view and you are at the take-out.