Colorado, Utah, US |
|
| Usual Difficulty | I-IV (for normal flows) |
|---|---|
| Length | 112 Miles |
| Max Gradient | 16 fpm |
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado in Cataract Canyon | ||||
| virtual-8918 | 3000 - unknown cfs | I-IV | 01h15m | 6760 cfs (rc= 0.0 ) |
FUN FACT: 20 miles of big whitewater and unregulated flow before the Colorado grinds to a crawl at Powell Reservoir.
SEASON: The most impressive whitewater typically occurs in May and early June. By July the river drops and rapids become more moderate but still provide plenty of excitement.
LOGISTICS: The river passes through Canyonlands National Park. All launch sites are located outside the park and include Green River State Park, Ruby Ranch or Mineral Bottom on the Green River and the Potash or Moab ramps on the Colorado River. The take-out is at Hite Marina on Lake Powell. Getting to the marina requires a 30 mile paddle on the lake battling frequent up-canyon winds. You can arrange a tow from the marina. As another alternative, you can drive the 4WD access road and hike down into Spanish Bottom midway through the trip but still before all the good whitewater.
DESCRIPTION:
The region was first explored by Major John Wesley Powell during his 1869 journey down the Green and Colorado Rivers. The Colorado River cuts an impressive course through Cataract Canyon creating an exciting big water experience. Although faster runs can be made, four to five day trips departing from Moab make for a 100 river mile trip that provides a balance between quiet floating, impressive geology, prehistory in canyon country, cool hikes, beach camping, and fast-paced rapids. The trip is an all-around river adventure with spectacular scenery.
Above the confluence, the Colorado and Green rivers are Class I flatwater providing a leisurely float through the 2,000' red rock cliffs. There are several opportunities for off-river hiking and exploration. Beginning 5 miles below the confluence with the Green, the Colorado begins its impressive journey through Cataract Canyon for a challenging stretch of Class III-V white water within Canyonlands National Park. There are excellent hikes to petroglyphs and geologic formations called "hoodoos" that make up a very impressive area known as the "Doll's House." This makes for an excellent spot to watch the sun rise before you start into the big water down river.
The rapids which include Mile Long, Satan's Gut, and Big Drop follow each other in quick succession. The whitewater is short, but includes some of the Colorado River's best Class III-IV whitewater. The Big Drops are listed in the Big Drops of North America. At high flows (>40,000 cfs) these rapids come on very fast and offer tremendous excitement with huge raft-flipping holes.
The one big negative of the trip is the end. The waters of Lake Powell inundate much of Cataract Canyon below the park boundary. A 30-mile stretch of reservoir with no current buries over half of the original rapids. The flat water paddling and rowing is made even more difficult by frequent up-canyon winds. You can arrange a motorized boat shuttle to reach the take out at Hite Marina or bring a motor for your raft and lash all the kayaks on. Check the Lake Powell elevation to estimate the actual flat water distance since it can vary from year to year.
with contributions from Jen O'Neal
for additional information see:
Reaches of the Colorado River:
01. Hot Sulphur Springs to Hwy 40 bridge (Byers
Canyon) (CO, IV)
02. Gore Canyon (CO, IV-V)
03. Pumphouse campground to Rancho Del Rio
(Pumphouse) (CO, III)
04. Hanging Lake Exit 125 (I-70) to Shoshone Power
Plant Exit 123 (I-70) (Barrel Springs) (CO, IV-V [V+])
05. Shoshone Power Plant, Exit 123 (I-70) to
Grizzly Creek, Exit 121 (I-70) (Shoshone) (CO, III-IV)
06. Cameo Dam (Big Sur / Lucky 7) (CO, III)
07. Loma to Westwater (Ruby / Horsethief
Canyons) (CO-UT, II)
08. Westwater to Rose Ranch (Westwater Canyon)
(UT, I-IV)
09. Cisco (Rose Ranch) to Moab (Professor
Valley) (UT, I-III)
10. Moab to Powell Reservoir (Cataract Canyon)
(UT, I-IV)
11. Lees Ferry to Lake Mead (Grand Canyon) (AZ,
I-IV)
12. Black Canyon (AZ-NV, I)
Permits are available on a reservation basis starting the first business day in January. Currently no daily launch limits.
Combined flows of Green and Colorado. Average annual peak is approximately 45,000 cfs. Highest recorded flow was 110,500 cfs on 27 May 1984, but it's been higher.
Lake Powell elevation and inflow.
Colorado River flows have been below average since the year 2000, leading to lower lake levels. In the winter of 2005 (before the spring run-off) the lake reached its lowest level since filling, an elevation of 3,550 feet (1,080 m) above sea level, which was approximately 150 feet (46 m) below full pool (elevation 3700'). Since 2005 the lake level has risen 78 feet (24 m), to a high elevation of 3,628 feet (1,106 m) above sea level in spring/early summer 2008. It is estimated this upcoming spring runoff may produce a peak elevation of 3638' during mid-summer 2008.
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado in Cataract Canyon | ||||||||||||
| virtual-8918 | 3000 - unknown cfs | I-IV | 01h15m | 6760 cfs (rc= 0.0 ) | ||||||||
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| When | River/Gauge | Subject | Level | Reporter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado [UT] |
Big drop 3, 7000 cfs
|
7000 | Matt Leach | |
| Colorado [UT] |
doll house/surprise valley
|
n/a | curtis verploegh | |
| Colorado, Cataract Canyon [UT] |
Big Drop Two, Redwall
|
28,000 | Brady Black | |
| 7y196d14h12m | Colorado [Ut] |
Capsize Rapid
|
3500 | josh grigg |
| 7y272d14h12m | Colorado [UT] |
Big Drop 3
|
13000 | Clay Guerry |
| 7y321d14h12m | Colorado [UT] |
Colorado River abv Confluence w Green
|
low | curtis verploegh |
| 7y323d14h12m | Colorado [UT] |
Aerial photo of big drops section of Cataract
|
~7000 cfs (low) | curtis verploegh |
| Mile | Rapid Name | Class | Features (Legend) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15.0 | Potash - Put in |  | |
| 86.0 | Lake Powell: high water line | ||
| 90.0 | Elevation 3600 feet | N/A | |
| 102.0 | Dark Canyon - elevation 3540 | N/A |
This is the most commonly used put in for boating through Cataract Canyon. It cuts out 15 miles of flat water.
When Lake Powell is full, this is where the river ends and the lake begins. Since the canyon is narrow, there will be some current for many miles downstream.
When the lake elevation is 3600 feet, it should extend to about this point. Gypsum canyon comes in from the left just upstream and Ocean Point looms above on the right. A small canyon, Palmer Canyon comes in on the left at the 3600 foot mark.
Dark Canyon is a major canyon on the left. When the lake is low, the river elevation here is about 3540 feet.
reach
state
reachlink
17. Moab to Powell Reservoir (Cataract Canyon), Colorado Utah, US (mobile)
User Comments
There are a few minor riffles below Imperial Rapid (last rapid.) The current in the lower section
is fast and it's an easy days float to the take out.<br>
<br>
Good camping can be found from Imperial to the beach river left near Gypsum Canyon. Below there,
few exist. Camping spots are mre limited in Spanish bottom due to mud and the erosion of sandy
beaches.<br>
<br>
The take out is dirt road off of Rt 95 just south of the Hite Overlook. It is located just
downstream of the confluence with the Dirty Devil, and easy to miss. The access to the river is
very steep, loose rock and dirt, and prohibits getting a trailer to river level. All rafts must be
carried up the initial 10 feet.<br>
<br>
As always, high flows may alter this take out and further limit access.