Colorado River — Cataract Canyon

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Cataract Canyon, Colorado River Utah — 1869 Powell Expedition, 1921 USGS Survey, 1962 Glen Canyon Dam Canyonlands 60-mi. Commercial rafters run 46 miles of the Colorado through Cataract Canyon at flows ranging from 5,000 to 30,000 CFS, with 12,000 CFS average making this one of the biggest-volume whitewater runs in the lower 48. The first 14 miles below the Green River confluence build through Class II-III rapids as the canyon deepens around Dark Canyon. The middle 12 miles to Big Drop feature Class III-IV water where major rapids begin in earnest. The final 20 miles contain the climactic Big Drop sequence — Class IV-V continuous drops that define Cataract's reputation — before the current dies in Lake Powell's backwater. Located within Canyonlands National Park across Wayne and Garfield counties in Utah, Cataract requires multi-day commitment and solid high-volume whitewater skills. Sheri Griffith Expeditions and Tag-A-Long Expeditions hold permits for commercial trips. USGS gauge 09180500 tracks the flows that determine whether you're looking at pushy Class IV or boat-flipping Class V through the Big Drop rapids.