A look at Klamath Post Dam
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
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
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.
New trips incorporating these new sections for 2025 and beyond…
Upper Klamath Full Day – Class 4+
Our new full day option will include the Copco (Kikaceki) valley, Wards (Kikaceki) canyon, and Iron Gate (Kucascas) valley and a great mix of everything from mellow to heart-pounding. We will arrive at access 1 in the morning to gear up and put on the river. A continental breakfast will be served and gear will be handed out as the guides get the boats ready for the trip. After we push off, the first 6.5 miles will meander through Copco (Kikaceki) valley. The scenery is beautiful and you will get to experience the healing of the river corridor year after year. It also gives us a chance to get ready for bigger water as we go over boat safety features, weight distribution, paddle commands and a time to get used to being in the raft. This warm-up makes the full day accessible to everyone from beginner to expert. As we get close to the entrance to Ward’s (Kikaceki) canyon, we will brush up on commands and double check everything in the boat. Entering the canyon is very spectacular. The views, the rapids and the pace are world class. Enjoying this special place is a top priority and we will try and slow things down a bit to look around and marvel. After 2.5 miles things open back up into Iron Gate (Kucascas) Valley. Here we will pick up our lunch and stop for a bathroom break at Kucascas access as well as pump up some inflatable kayaks for those interested. Lunch will be a mile down river at “The Pinch”. The remainder of the trip is in the Iron Gate reservoir footprint and 6 miles of class 2 and 3 with great current speed. Bush creek will be the end of the trip and we will pack everything up and head home.
Upper Klamath Two Day – Class 4+
We are very excited about this trip! Because of the logistics involved after dam removal, we are not able to offer the Hell’s Corner run in a day trip format. But without the dams we can move further downriver and make the logistics work in an incredible 2 day river trip. This will require smaller, lighter boats with 4 paddlers maximum. We will have a seasonal camp set up at our previous lunch site. We love this spot. There will be lots to do at this camp and we will try to get in early for appetizers and relaxation. Day 1 will be from Spring Island downriver to Frain Ranch where we will have lunch. After lunch camp will be the next stop. Day 2 will start early to finish the Hell’s Corner section and move into the old Copco Reservoir footprint now called Kikaceki Valley. This will be an opportunity to see the river heal itself year after year. Our last lunch of the trip will be in this area. The finale will be an incredible float through Kikaceki Canyon (class 4+) for a wild ride and spectacular scenery. The take-out will be immediately after Kikaceki Canyon at Fall Creek access. See trip details for more information.
Iron Gate(Kucascas) Dam Removal Scenic Float – Class 3
With the anticipation of an enormous amount of interest in seeing the river post-dam and not wanting to sign up for class 4+, we decided to offer a trip for everyone. Family friendly and easy. The equipment we will use will be like our Rogue Scenic float. Larger boats, backrests, and no paddling required. For those that want a little more excitement, we will bring kayaks that paddled or towed according to guests needs. This will be a ¾ day trip with lunch provided. We will put-in at Fall Creek and take out at Bush Creek.
Upper Klamath Spring Big Water Shuffle – Class 4+ to 5
Although 4 dams were removed, there are still dams on the Klamath that control the volume of water in the river. We are currently working with the Bureau Of Reclamation to get a forecast on their operational output for the seasons ahead. And maybe week to week. With that being said, there is 44 miles with big water potential in the Spring and early Summer. All of the the sections described above offer different things with different personalities. Some can be run at very high flows and some cannot. There is also a “sweet spot” where we could run the entire 44 miles in a two day format that will be incredible. Again, we won’t know what the level will be but we can pick and mix accordingly. 1 day or 2 days. April and May. Possibly June.
Fishing 3 day, 2 night
The fishing on the Upper Klamath should be very productive, getting better and better every year for the foreseeable future. The navigability of the stretch requires us to have custom fishing catarafts built. These will accommodate 2 guests per boat. This will be a three day 2 night format that starts at Spring Island and ends at Bush Creek spanning 5 different sections for 32 miles of the Upper Klamath. Night one will be an overnight at Camp Charlie, our seasonal camp. Night Two will be in the beginning of the Copco(Kikaceki) Valley section, where we will stay in a very nice home right on the river. We will target the Fly Hatch in the last two weeks of May and most of June for trout. In September, we will switch up and chase steelhead and possibly Salmon into the first week of two of October. Fish in here do not see very much pressure at all and will be willing to bite. We likely will not see anyone else until day 3.