Fresno County, California
The Horseshoe Bend reach begins below Redinger Lake and ends at Kerckhoff Reservoir. The length of this reach is approximately 6 miles. Scouting and portaging are straight forward, and the classification is III to V. Based on limited off-river flow observations, the reach is boated by intermediate and advanced boaters at flows between 800 and 3,000 cfs. At flows above 3,000 cfs the reach is boated by expert and elite boaters only.
While most of the Horseshoe bend can be easily boat scouted, there are several significant drops that should definitely be scouted from shore. Big drops are found through out the reach.
To get to the put in, take Highway 168 north from Fresno. Turn left on Auberry Road approximately 2 miles past Prather. Just past the Elementary school in Auberry (on your left hand side) turn left on Powerhouse road (county road 222). At Kerckhoff reservoir turn right on county road 235. Follow this road approximately 5 miles to the put in at the confluence of the Willow Creek and the San Joaquin River.
CURRENT FLOWS
|
| Detailed Information |
| River Segment |
Willow Creek to Kerckhoff Reservoir |
Classification
(Difficulty) |
III to V |
| Season |
Spring/Early Summer |
| Flow (cfs)* |
800 cfs - 3,000 cfs, Intermediate/Advanced > 3,000 cfs, Expert/Elite |
| Run Length |
6 miles |
| Put In |
Confluence of Willow Creek and San Joaquin River |
| Take Out |
Kerckhoff Reservoir |
| Shuttle |
5 miles, 30 minutes |
| Average Gradient |
33 fpm |
| Source |
Runoff/Mammoth Pool Reservoir spill |
| Topo Maps |
Cascadel Pt. Quadrangle |
| Geology |
Granite | |
*This is an estimate only and is based on limited off-river flow observations.
