Weber, Utah, US |
|
| Usual Difficulty | III-IV+ (for normal flows) |
|---|---|
| Length | 3 Miles |
| Name | Range | Difficulty | Updated | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WEBER RIVER AT GATEWAY, UT | ||||
| usgs-10136500 | 500 - 3000 cfs | III-IV+ | 12h59m | 80 cfs (rc= -0.2 ) |
This is the classic Weber whitewater run. The Eggs are a unique boating experience indeed. The
put in is, well interesting, as are the drops themselves. The run itself is short with a nice
warmup drop, some boogie water, then three main ledge drops and a class 2-3 run out. It is
complicated by various amounts of debris in the water. At lower flows, the run is technical. As
it approaches 1500 it becomes much more pushy, sticky and challenging. A swim would result in a
very long time in the water at these flows and safety is hard to set from the banks. Be aware of
the dam downstream and know which channel to take--in past years, high flows ccould create near
symmetric hydraulics in some of the chutes.
The Putin is directly off of I-84 westbound, about 3 miles up the canyon. If coming from the
Wasatch front (or the take out), the UHP prefers that you exit at Mountain Green and re-enter the
highway on the ramp rather than crossing the median immediately above the railroad trestle. When
westbound, slow after you cross the bridge and turn out onto the dirt pullout, follow the unpaved
road back towards the bridges. The put in is at the top of the bend with the big drops coming
after crossing under the freeway. (alternatively you can get off at the rest stop going east
bound and walk down to below the dam. Access here could be a problem in the future if the land
becomes posted.)
The takeout is just east of where Route 89 crosses I-84. There is a fisherman's access and an old
bridge. Hazard: Immediately below the old bridge is a potentially deadly diversion dam. Be aware
of this and get out above it--especially at higher flows. The hydraulic that forms below has a
10-ft recirculating boil and looks deadly.
Doug Heym shared:
A few more details on the best put-in and take-out. The put-in is a picnic area next to the rest
stop on I-84 going east from 89. There is a sign for the rest area, but no sign for the picnic
area that is run by Utah Power. After exiting into the rest area, there is a paved road to the
right that takes you the short distance to the picnic area, which is at a dam. You can put in
below the dam. Parking is free and made available by Utah Power.
The take-out is also accessible from east bound I-84. It's on the south side just opposite
another dam/Utah Power facility. The river, dam, and power plant are between the two lanes of the
highway with no public access. But, there is a small gravel lot next to the highway on the south
side. To get to the river, you go under the causeway which is next to the lot. Take-out is river
left at the dam.