Chamberlain Falls (Iowa Hill to Yankee Jim)
California – US
- Class
- IV to V-
- Length
- 5 Mile(s)
- Gradient
- 41 FPM
- Typical season
- March 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)
Don't bother
- Primary gauge
- NF AMERICAN R A NORTH FORK DAM CA Gauge detail & alternatives Live gauge ↗
Recommended levels
| Minimum | 500 |
| Average | 1,500 |
| Maximum | 3,500 |
Recommended use
- Kayaking
- Rafting
- Canoeing
- SUP
- Packrafting
- Fishing
Struck-through craft are not recommended for this run.
Flow history — last 6 days
No gauge history recorded in the last 6 days.
Photos
No photos added for this run yet.
Description
This is an awesome run for advanced boaters and rafters when the water is flowing. Plenty of action with no hike in or out and it's proximity to I-80 make this a go to for many boaters in the Sacramento and Auburn area. Commercial companies will even run this. Craft of choice should be hardshell kayak or raft. SUP and IK's aren't recommended due to the fact that there are many entrapment hazards on this stretch that makes swimming undesirable.
Most of this run is really Class III+ but the class difficulty gets bumped up some notches due to entrapment hazards and with more water this run gets harder. For first timers looking to make a descent, your best bet is to find someone who knows the run. Scouting can be done and is recommended for first time runners and for first time boaters down in the spring after runoff. Since the run is short you will have plenty of time to scout and or take a breather since you won't be rushed for time.
Rapids
| # | Rapid | Class | Recommended flow | Description | Scout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Slaughter's Sluice | III+ to IV | 500–3,500 | This is the first IV on this run. It is located just below the puting a few hundred yards. Lower flows bring restricted channels and rocky ledges. Higher flows brings pushy rapids with possibly retentive holes. |
Scout left or before putting on drive on Iowa Hills Road south to an overlook. |
| 2 | Chamberlain Falls | IV to IV+ | 500–3,500 | A large rock in the center of this rapid's drop makes you choose running left or right of the rock at low flows. Best to try and run right of the rock. At higher flows this rock can get covered and makes a river wide hole here. |
Scout left. |
| 3 | Tongue and Groove Rapid | IV- to IV | 500–3,500 | Another rocky drop. Higher flows brings holes and at lower flows a pin rock can get smaller craft. |
Scout left if you wish. |
| 4 | Zig Zag Rapid | IV | 500–3,500 | The name of this rapid implies the route you need to take through this boulder garden. Middle to right and then finish left. |
|
| 5 | Achilles' Heel Rapid | IV- to IV | 500–3,500 | More boulder problems to overcome here. |
|
| 6 | Bogus Thunder Rapid | IV to V- | 500–3,500 | Many consider this the crux rapid of the chamberlain falls run. Many underwater sieves are located in this drop. |
If you only scout 1 rapid on this run, this is a good candidate. |
| 7 | Grand Slalom Rapid | IV | 500–3,500 | A bunch of large rocks you'll need to slalom through. |
Most read and run. |
Access
| Type | Name | Elevation | Camping | Water | Boat ramp | Vehicle access | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Put-In | Iowa Hill Road Bridge | — | No | No | Yes | All Vehicles | See access info here |
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.
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Community Run Notes
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