One local firm still promotes the ride
-May 7,2022-
It’s not just Tulare County farmers who are crying about the drought.
Only one local white water rafting company is left in Three Rivers offering rafting trips along the scenic southern Sierra – Kaweah River. Once a beehive of rafting activity along the middle reach of the river, several years of drought have dried up interest in what was a Spring ritual in these parts.
And now “People need to hurry with only about two more weeks left when we can offer trips” says David Hammond, owner of Sequoia Adventures, based in Three Rivers. He hopes to offer service till around May 20.
At one time the website Kaweah River Page, devoted to the sport of white water rafting listed 10 companies offering pulse pounding raft rides on the Kaweah.
Today Sequoia Adventures is the only local company offering guided trips now that long time rafting company Kaweah White Water is no longer in business. Another local firm, listed on Google, Mountain Descents, has its phone disconnected.
The Kaweah River is fed by snowmelt from the 12,000 foot peaks in Sequoia National Park, and has been advertised as offering some of the finest whitewater rafting in Central and Southern California. It is one of America’s steepest rivers, dropping at 85 feet per mile in its first few miles.
If rafting depends on snowmelt, this season snowpack is melting fast – just 15% of normal, says the state as of May 1. River runoff is better – 54% of normal.
The last big year on the Kaweah was 2019 as can be seen on this graph. Since then, the flow has been underwhelming.
“We started rafting trips in early March and this year it’s been like a big labor – although it is a labor of love” adds Dave saying he has been in this line of work all his adult life. “We ran our first trip on the Kaweah River in 1988 and more than 30 years later this is still our and many of our guides favorite river trip. The Kaweah River is the only river we run.”
Not based here, All-Outdoors operates professionally guided whitewater rafting trips on 10 California rivers including the Kaweah, they say.
Here’s how earlier advertisements describe what would be Kaweah’s wild ride.
“Imagine – a river that drops 85 feet per mile full of class IV-V rapids flowing from the 13,000 foot Sierra Nevada Great Western Divide mountains. The Kaweah River is one of America’s steepest river runs featuring long boulder slaloms and tricky hydraulics that create an adrenaline pumping ride. Due to its steep fall, the Kaweah River passes through a wide range of climate and vegetation zones in a relatively short distance. This river trip is for strong swimmers, in good shape and ideally with prior class 3 paddling experience. The rapids are fast and technical, our experienced guides will help you navigate these waters.
The Kaweah River, pronounced kah-wee-haw, is a native American Yokutsan word meaning “crow cry.” Located near the inspiring Sequoia National Park and the Kings Canyon National Park there is incredible alpine scenery with dense concentrations of giant sequoias that can be enjoyed as you rush through this canyon.
The main stem of the Kaweah is only 33.6 miles long flowing southwest from the Sequoia National Park, but it has a vertical drop of nearly two and a half miles on its short run to the San Joaquin Valley. Water flows are determined by Sierra snowmelt and at higher than 2500cfs, the Kaweah River is a force to be reckoned with, offering boaters a fast-moving, exhilarating run.”
Today the river’s high flow is under 800cfs.