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RiverBrain

California – US

Class
II to III
Length
5 Mile(s)
Gradient
21 FPM
Put-in elevation
920 Feet
Take-out elevation
788 Feet
Typical season
April to July

Current Flow

87 CFS

Gauge height: 0.46 FT

Reading from Jul 10, 2026 9:15 PM

-0.38/hr (12h) -0.19/hr (24h)

Too Low

Don't bother

Primary gauge
NF AMERICAN R A NORTH FORK DAM CA Gauge detail & alternatives Live gauge ↗

Recommended levels

Minimum500
Average1,500
Maximum5,000

Recommended use

  • Kayaking
  • Rafting
  • Canoeing
  • SUP
  • Packrafting
  • Fishing

Struck-through craft are not recommended for this run.

Flow history — last 6 days

Photos

No photos added for this run yet.

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Description

A good beginner to intermediate run.  If flows are higher this run becomes solid intermediate.

Rapids

# Rapid Class Recommended flow Description Scout
1 First Rapid II to III 500–5,000

Jusst below the putin bridge.  Rocky at low flows and waves at higher flows.  Most direct rout weaving down the center where most of the water goes is the generally the best route.

Scout from putin.

2 Rapid 2 II to II+ 500–5,000

A short drop as the river drops over a gravel bar.

Read and run

3 Rapid 3 1/2 II+ to III 500–5,000

River splits into 2 channels.  Left is more "interesting", right is easier.  At low flows the right channel doesn't have enough water usually.

Read and run

4 Bend and Brake Rapids III- to III 500–5,000

For the next 1/2 mile starting at the end of the horshoe bend is a series of rapids.  The river makes several turns and generally there is a rapid on each turn.  The final rapid has a hole at higher water and at lower water things can get a little technical with rocks.

Read and run

Access

Type Name Elevation Camping Water Boat ramp Vehicle access Description
Put-In Yankee Jim Road Bridge 920 Feet No No No All Vehicles

Take exit 131 on I-80 and head south and immediately turn left (northish) onto canyon way road.  Follow canyon way road for 2.2 miles and then turn right on yankee jims road.  After about a half mile stay on the right fork of the road.  And then follow the road down to the river where the bridge crosses the river.

Take-Out Ponderosa Way 788 Feet No No No All Vehicles

take exit 131 on I-80 and head south and immediately turn right on canyon way which turns into ponderosa way.  Stay on ponderosa way for about 6 miles until you reach the river.  Take-out is just past the bridge on river right when on the river.

Camps

No river camps added yet.

Permit

No permit is required, or permit info hasn't been added yet.

Fishing

No fish species have been associated with this run yet.

Community Run Notes

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