About
Stanislaus River and the 1848 Gold Rush. Class III-IV whitewater drops through 60 miles of Sierra Nevada foothills, with the Camp 9 Run delivering the most popular 10-mile stretch of technical rapids. The Stanislaus River averages 980 CFS through Tuolumne and Calaveras counties, with optimal flows between 500-3,000 CFS depending on the section. Below Goodwin Dam, the five-mile Goodwin Canyon run offers sustained Class III water managed by BLM as a recreation area. Downstream at Knights Ferry, the gradient mellows to Class I-II family water passing under California's longest covered bridge. New Melones Dam, completed in 1983 after years of environmental opposition, controls much of the upper watershed flows. Sunshine Rafting Adventures operates commercial trips on the regulated sections. USGS gauge 11302000 tracks conditions, though dam releases can create rapid changes in water levels that paddlers need to monitor closely.
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and access points may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level.