Cache Creek
🌿 Wilderness
Yolo / Lake Co. · 115 mi · Class II–III
398CFS/ 2.49 ft
Optimal→Stable
Water temp: 66°F
Optimal: 300–1500 CFS · USGS #11451800
Length
Difficulty
Optimal
Avg Flow
Hist. Median
USGS Gauge
Cache Creek Natural Area · BLM Cache Creek Wilderness Study Area
The closest whitewater to Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area. Cache Creek runs through a scenic basalt canyon between Clear Lake and the Sacramento Valley, offering reliable Class II–III rapids in a Mediterranean landscape of oak woodlands and grasslands. A popular spring weekend run when Sierra rivers are still too high.
Trip sections
Rumsey to Guinda — 12 mi, Class II–III, best whitewater
Clear Lake to Rumsey — 30 mi, upper canyon, seasonal
Guinda to Capay — 8 mi, Class I–II, mellow finish
72-Hour Flow Forecast
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10-Year Flow Patterns
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Data Quality
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.