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Whitewater is formed in a rapid, when a river's gradient drops enough to form a bubbly, or aerated and unstable current; the frothy water appears white. The term is also used loosely to refer to less-turbulent but still agitated flows. ...
RÃo Peralonso - El Zulia (Norte de Santander), Colombia River Gambia flowing through Niokolokoba National Park Nevėžis River in Lithuania A river is a natural waterway usually formed by water derived from either precipitation or glacial meltwater, and flows from higher ground to lower ground. ...
Stream gradient is the ratio of drop in a stream per unit distance, usually expressed as feet per mile or meters per kilometer. ...
The term "whitewater" also has a broader meaning, applying to any river or creek itself that has a significant number of rapids. The term is also used as an adjective describing boating on such rivers, such as whitewater kayaking.
The rapids triple step on the river Guil in French Alps, July 2001. ...
The French Alps are simply those parts of the Alps mountain range which lie in France. ...
Rapids
Four factors, separately or in combination, can create rapids: gradient, constriction, obstruction and flow rate. Gradient, constriction and obstruction are streambed topography factors and are relatively consistent. Flow rate is dependent upon both seasonal variation in precipitation and snowmelt and upon release rates of upstream dams.
Streambed topography Streambed topography is the primary factor in creating rapids, and is generally consistent over time. Increased flow, as during a flood or high rainfall season can make permanent changes to the streambed by displacing rocks and boulders, by deposition of alluvium or by creating new channels for flowing water.
Gradient The gradient of a river is the rate at which it loses elevation along its course. This loss determines the river's slope, and to a large extent its rate of flow. Shallow gradients produce gentle, slow rivers while steep gradients are associated with raging torrents. Stream gradient is the ratio of drop in a stream per unit distance, usually expressed as feet per mile or meters per kilometer. ...
Basic Definition In geography, the elevation of a geographic location is its height above mean sea level (or some other fixed point). ...
Constriction Constrictions can form a rapid when a river's flow is forced into a narrower channel. This pressure causes the water to flow more rapidly (hence the name) and to react differently to riverbed events (rocks, drops, etc.) Constriction is a method used by various snake species to kill their prey. ...
Obstruction A boulder or ledge in the middle of a river or near the side can obstruct the flow of the river, and can also create a "cushion"; a "drop" (over the boulder); and "hydraulics" or "holes" where the river flows back on itself--perhaps back under the drop--often with fearful results for those caught in its grasp. (Holes, or hydraulics, are so-called because their foamy, aerated water provides less buoyancy and can feel like an actual hole in the river surface.) If the flow passes next to the obstruction, an eddy may form behind the obstruction; although eddies are typically sheltered areas where boaters can stop to rest, scout or leave the main current, they may be swirling and whirlpool-like. As with hydraulics (which pull downward rather than to the side and are, essentially, eddies turned at a 90-degree angle), the power of eddies increases with the flow rate. In fluid dynamics, an eddy is the swirling of a fluid and the reverse current created when the fluid flows past an obstacle. ...
Stream flow rate A fourth factor, a marked increase or decrease in flow can create a rapid, "wash out" a rapid (decreasing the hazard) or make safe passage through previously-navigable rapids more difficult or impossible. During "flood" (highly increased flow), scouting rapids and hazards which were formerly "safe" becomes much more crucial for a safe descent. Flow rate is typically measured in Cumecs (cubic-meters-per-second), or in CFS (cubic-feet-per-second) depending on the country. Cumec is a measure of rate of flow of fluids. ...
Classification of whitewater -
The most widely used grading system is the International Grading System, where whitewater (either an individual rapid, or the entire river) is classed in six categories from class I (the easiest and safest) to class VI (the most difficult and most dangerous). The grade reflects both the technical difficulty and the danger associated with a rapid, with grade I referring to flat or slow moving water with few hazards, and grade VI referring to the hardest rapids which are very dangerous even for expert paddlers, and are rarely run. Grade-VI rapids are sometimes downgraded to grade-V or V+ if they have been run successfully. Harder rapids (for example a grade-V rapid on a mainly grade-III river) are often portaged, a French term for carrying. A portaged rapid is where the boater lands and carries the boat around the hazard. The International Scale of River Difficulty is a standardized scale used to rate the safety of a stretch of river, usually a single rapid. ...
The International Scale of River Difficulty is a standardized scale used to rate the safety of a stretch of river, usually a single rapid. ...
For the Gentoo Linux package manager, see Portage (software). ...
A rapid's grade is not fixed, since it may vary greatly depending on the water depth and speed of flow. Although some rapids may be easier at high flows because features are covered or "washed-out," high water usually makes rapids more difficult and dangerous. At flood stage, even rapids which are usually easy can contain lethal and unpredictable hazards. (Briefly adapted from the American version[1] of the International Scale of River Difficulty[2].)
- Class 1: Very small rough areas, requires no maneuvering. (Skill Level: None)
- Class 2: Some rough water, maybe some rocks, small drops, might require maneuvering. (Skill Level: Basic Paddling Skill)
- Class 3: Whitewater, medium waves, maybe a 3-5 ft drop, but not much considerable danger. May require significant maneuvering. (Skill Level: Experienced paddling skills)
- Class 4: Whitewater, large waves, rocks, maybe a considerable drop, sharp maneuvers may be needed. (Skill Level: Whitewater Experience)
- Class 5: Whitewater, large waves, large rocks and hazards, maybe a large drop, precise maneuvering (Skill Level: Advanced Whitewater Experience)
- Class 6: Whitewater, typically with huge waves, huge rocks and hazards, huge drops, but sometimes labeled thusly due to largely invisible dangers (i.e., a smooth slide that creates a near-perfect, almost inescapable, hydraulic, as at Woodall Shoals/Chattanooga). Class 6 rapids are considered hazardous even for expert paddlers using state-of-the-art equipment, and come with the warning "danger to life or limb." (Skill Level: Expert)
Features found in whitewater On any given rapid there can be a multitude of different features which arise from the interplay between the shape of the riverbed and the velocity of the water in the stream.
Strainers Strainers are formed when an object blocks the passage of larger objects but allows the flow of water to continue - like a big strainer. These objects can be very dangerous, because the force of the water will pin an object or body against the strainer and then pile up, pushing it down under water. Strainers are formed by many different objects, like storm grates over tunnels, trees that have fallen into a river ("log jam"), bushes by the side of the river that are flooded during high water, or rebar from broken concrete structures in the water. In an emergency it is often best to try and climb on top of a strainer so as not to be pinned against the object under the water. If you are in a river, swimming aggressively away from the strainer and into the main channel is your best bet. If you cannot avoid the strainer, you should swim hard towards it and try to get as much of your body up and over it as possible. In chemistry and common usage, a filter is device (usually a membrane or layer) that is designed to block certain objects or substances whilst letting others through. ...
Sweepers Sweepers are trees fallen or heavily leaning over the river, still rooted on the shore and not fully submerged. Its trunk and branches may form an obstruction in the river like strainers. Since it is an obstruction from above, it often does not contribute to whitewater features. But it should be mentioned here because in fast water sweepers can pose a serious hazard to paddlers.
Holes Holes, or "hydraulics," less often referred to as "stoppers" or "souse-holes," are formed when water pours over the top of a submerged object, causing the surface water to flow back upstream toward the object. Holes can be particularly dangerous—a boater may become stuck in the recirculating water—or entertaining playspots, where paddlers use the holes' features to perform various playboating moves. In high-volume water, holes dramatically aerate the water, possibly to the point where it may even lose the capacity to carry any water crafts. Holes, often referred to as souse-holes, or stoppers, are formed when water pours over the top of a submerged object, causing the water downstream to flow back over the top of the water which rushes over the submerged object. ...
Playboating is a discipline of kayaking or canoeing where the paddler performs various technical moves in one place (a playspot), as opposed to whitewater canoeing or kayaking where the objective is to travel the length of a section of river (although whitewater canoeists will often stop and play en-route). ...
Some of the most dangerous types of holes are formed by lowhead dams (weirs), underwater ledges, and similar types of obstruction. In lowhead dams, the hole has a very symmetrical character - there's no weak point - and where the sides of the hydraulic are often blocked by a man-made wall, making it impossible to slip off the side of the hydraulic. Lowhead dams are insidiously dangerous because their danger cannot be easily recognized by people who have not studied whitewater. The bridge and weir mechanism at Sturminster Newton on the River Stour, Dorset. ...
Waves Waves are formed in a similar nature to hydraulics and are sometimes also considered hydraulics as well. Waves are noted by the large smooth face on the water rushing down. Sometimes a particularly large wave will also be followed by a "wave train", a long series of waves. These standing waves can be smooth or, particularly the larger ones, can be breaking waves (also called "whitecaps" or "haystacks"). This article is about waves in the most general scientific sense. ...
Because of the rough and random pattern of a riverbed, waves are often not perpendicular to the river's current. This makes them challenging for boaters since a strong sideways or diagonal wave can throw the craft off.
In fluid mechanics, waves are classified as laminar, but the whitewater world has also included waves with turbulence ("breaking waves") under the general heading of waves.
Pillows Pillows are formed when a large flow of water runs into a large obstruction, causing water to "pile up" or "boil" against the face of the obstruction. Pillows can be dangerous because sometimes the object that forms the pillow is undercut and so paddlers can be swept underwater - possibly to be entrapped. Pillows are also known as Pressure Waves.
Eddies Eddies are formed, like hydraulics, on the downstream face of an obstruction. Unlike hydraulics, eddies swirl on the horizontal surface of the water. Typically, they are calm spots where the downward movement of water is partially or fully arrested - a nice place to rest or to make one's way upstream. However, in very powerful water, eddies can have powerful, swirling currents which can flip boats and from which escape can be very difficult. In fluid dynamics, an eddy is the swirling of a fluid and the reverse current created when the fluid flows past an obstacle. ...
Undercut Rocks Undercut rocks are rocks that have been worn down underneath the surface by the river. They can be extremely dangerous features of a rapid because a person can get trapped underneath them, under water. This is espcially true of rocks that are undercut on the upstream side. Here, a boater may become pinned against the rock underwater. Many whitewater deaths have occurred in this fashion. Undercuts sometimes have pillows, but other times the water just flows smoothly under them, which can indicate that the rock is undercut. Undercuts are most common in rivers where the riverbed cuts through sedimentary rocks like limestone rather than igneous rock like granite. In a steep canyon, the side walls of the canyon can also be undercut.
A particularly notorious undercut rock is Dimple Rock, in Dimple Rapid on the Lower Youghiogheny River in Pennsylvania. Nine people have died here, including three in 2000.[1] Map of the Monongahela River basin, with the Youghiogheny River highlighted. ...
Sieves Another major whitewater hazard is a sieve, which is a narrow empty space that water flows through between two obstructions, usually rocks. If the sieve is visible above water, a boater can be pinned against it and may eventually be forced underwater as the current passes through. If the sieve is completely submerged, it is especially insidious because it may not be discernible at all. In shallow water, bows of boats can get caught in submerged sieves, as the current pulls the nose down below the rocks where it can lodge. If this happens, it is likely that the whole boat will get pulled under water. Sieves pose a particular hazard to swimmers because even the smallest sieves can trap a person's foot if they stand up in the current. The force of the current then pushes the whole body underwater, becoming a deadly situation in a matter of seconds. It is for this reason that one of the first things whitewater boaters learn is never to stand up in more than ankle deep water where there is a current.
Whitewater craft
 A solo kayak paddler performs a high brace in foamy water. One of the hazards of whitewater paddling is that highly-aerated water decreases the effect of buoyancy. There are many different types of whitewater craft that people use to make their way down a rapid, preferably with finesse and control. Here is a short list of them. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1205x1800, 363 KB) Summary Licensing File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Whitewater ...
Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (1205x1800, 363 KB) Summary Licensing File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Whitewater ...
Whitewater kayaks differ from sea kayaks and recreational kayaks in that they are specialized to deal with moving water better. They are often shorter and more maneuverable then sea kayaks and are specially designed to deal with water flowing up onto their decks. Most whitewater kayaks are made of plastics these days, although some paddlers (especially racers and "squirt boaters") use kayaks made of fiberglass composites. Whitewater kayaks are fairly stable in turbulent water, once the paddler is skillful with them; if flipped upside-down, the skilled paddler can easily roll them back upright. This essential skill of whitewater kayaking is called the "Eskimo Roll," or simply "Roll." Kayaks are paddled in a low sitting position (legs extended forward), with a two-bladed paddle. See Whitewater kayaking. Kayak is also the name of a Dutch progressive rock band. ...
Whitewater racing is a competitive discipline of canoeing in which kayaks or canadian canoes are used to negotiate a stretch of river speedily. ...
The Eskimo Roll is the act of uprighting a capsized kayak or canoe by use of the paddle and body motion. ...
Whitewater kayaking is the sport of paddling a kayak on a moving body of water, typically a river. ...
Rafts are also often used as a whitewater craft; more stable than typical kayaks, they are less maneuverable. Rafts can carry large loads, so they are often used for expeditions. Typical whitewater rafts are inflatable craft, made from high strength fabric coated with PVC, Urethane, Neoprene or Hypalon. See Whitewater rafting. Traditional raft, from 1884 edition Huckleberry Finn and Jim Children successfully test their raft, in Brixham harbour, south Devon, England. ...
Rafting is a recreational activity utilizing a raft to navigate a river or other body of water. ...
Catarafts are constructed from the same materials as rafts. They can either be paddled or rowed with oars. A specialized cataraft, designed without any metal frame, is a Shredder. It is manufactured by Inflatable Technologies in Ohiopyle, Pa. A Shredder is specifically designed to be paddled. It is usually paddled by a two person crew, though highly skilled paddlers are able to negotiate extreme whitewater in a Shredder paddled as a solo boat. Typical catarafts are constructed from two inflatable pontoons on either side of the craft which are bridged by a frame. Oar propelled catarafts have the occupants sitting on seats mounted on the frame. Virtually all oar powered catarafts are operated by a boatsman with passengers having no direct responsibilities. Catarafts can be of all sizes. Many are smaller and more maneuverable than a typical raft. HSV-1 Joint Venture, a large, experimental, high-speed military catamaran. ...
Canoes are often made of fiberglass, kevlar, plastic or a combination of the three for strength and durability. They may have a spraycover, resembling a kayak, or "open," resembling the typical canoe. This type of canoe is usually referred to simply as an "open boat." Whitewater canoes are paddled in a low kneeling position, with a one-bladed paddle. Open whitewater Canoes have large airbags to prevent the boat from being swamped by big waves and holes. Like kayaks, whitewater canoes can be righted after capsizing with an Eskimo Roll. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (810x548, 74 KB) I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the permission to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1. ...
Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (810x548, 74 KB) I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the permission to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1. ...
A wood-and-canvas canoe evokes the heritage of canoeing in North America A canoe is a small narrow boat, typically human-powered, but also commonly sailed. ...
C1s are similar in construction to whitewater kayaks, however are paddled in a low, kneeling position. They employ the use of a one-blade paddle, usually a little shorter than used in a more traditional canoe. They will have a spraycover, essentially the same type used in kayaking. Like kayaks, whitewater canoes can be righted after capsizing with an Eskimo Roll.
McKenzie River dory or "Drift Boat" by some. A more traditional "hard sided" boat. The design is characterized by a wide, flat bottom, flared sides, a narrow, flat bow, a pointed stern, and extreme rocker in the bow and stern to allow the boat to spin about its center for ease in maneuvering in rapids. The McKenzie dory or Rogue River dory is an evolution of the open-water dory, converted for use in rivers. ...
Academic explanation of whitewater events - See: fluid dynamics
Fluid dynamics is the sub-discipline of fluid mechanics dealing with fluids (liquids and gases) in motion. ...
North American whitewater rivers Image File history File links Splitsection. ...
Canada Canadian whitewater rivers are characterized by the dramatic difference between the high water spring run-off and the summer low water volume. The classification of rapids therefore changes from spring to summer.
Alberta
British Columbia The Bow River is a river in the Canadian province of Alberta. ...
Oldman River in Southern Alberta. ...
Waterton Lake is a mountain lake in southern Alberta, Canada and northern Montana, USA. The lake straddle the Canada/United States border. ...
Ontario Fraser River watershed The Fraser River is the longest river in British Columbia, Canada, rising near Mount Robson in the Rocky Mountains and flowing for 1400 km (870 mi), into the Pacific Ocean at the city of Vancouver. ...
Motto: Splendor Sine Occasu (Latin: Splendour without diminishment) Official languages English Capital Victoria Largest city Vancouver Lieutenant-Governor Iona Campagnolo Premier Gordon Campbell (BC Liberal) Parliamentary representation - House seats - Senate seats 36 6 Area Total - Land - Water (% of total) Ranked 5th 944,735 km² 925,186 km² 19,549 km...
Capilano River. ...
The Chehalis River is located in the southwest corner of British Columbia near the city of Vancouver, Canada. ...
The Vedder River, in Chilliwack, BC. The Vedder River runs through the city of Chilliwack, British Columbia, emptying into the Fraser River. ...
Located in between the cities of Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam which are suburbs of Vancouver, Canada. ...
The Mamquam River is a c. ...
The Cheakamus River (pron. ...
The Kicking Horse River is a river located in the Canadian Rockies of southeastern British Columbia, Canada. ...
Quebec This is about the river in Canada. ...
Motto: Ut Incepit Fidelis Sic Permanet (Latin: Loyal she began, loyal she remains) Official languages English (de facto) Capital Toronto Largest city Toronto Lieutenant-Governor James K. Bartleman Premier Dalton McGuinty (Liberal) Parliamentary representation - House seats - Senate seats 106 24 Area Total - Land - Water (% of total) Ranked 4th 1,076...
The Missinaibi River is a river in northern Ontario, Canada, which flows northeast from Missinaibi Lake north of Chapleau, Ontario and empties into the Moose River, which empties into James Bay. ...
There are several rivers named Gull River: Two Gull River (Ontario)s in the Canadian province of Ontario Gull River (Cass County) in Cass County in the U.S. state of Minnesota Gull River (Beltrami County) in Beltrami County in the U.S. state of Minnesota Category: ...
This article is about the Madawaska River in Ontario. ...
The Magnetawan River is a river in Parry Sound District, Ontario which flows 175 km from Algonquin Park to empty into Georgian Bay at the town of Britt, Ontario on Byng Inlet. ...
A First Nations encampment beside the Albany River, 1886 The Albany River is a river in northern Ontario which flows northeast from Lake St. ...
Moose River may refer to: Moose River (Maine) Moose River (New Hampshire) Moose River (New York) Moose River (Ontario) Moose River (Vermont) Category: ...
Motto: Ut Incepit Fidelis Sic Permanet (Latin: Loyal she began, loyal she remains) Official languages English (de facto) Capital Toronto Largest city Toronto Lieutenant-Governor James K. Bartleman Premier Dalton McGuinty (Liberal) Parliamentary representation - House seats - Senate seats 106 24 Area Total - Land - Water (% of total) Ranked 4th 1,076...
Manitoba The Lachine Rapids are a series of rapids on the Saint Lawrence River, between the Island of Montreal and the south shore. ...
Nickname: City of Mary Motto: Concordia Salus Coordinates: Country Canada Province Québec Founded 1642 Established 1832 - Mayor Gérald Tremblay Area [1] [2] - City 185. ...
There are at several rivers named Rouge: River Rouge (Michigan) there is also a the Ford Motor Company River Rouge Plant named after this river Rouge River (Ontario) Rouge River (Quebec) This is a disambiguation page, a list of pages that otherwise might share the same title. ...
This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...
The Noire River (also known as Black River) is a river in western Quebec, Canada. ...
The Rupert River is one of the largest rivers in Quebec. ...
The Moisie River is a river in eastern Quebec. ...
The Broadback River (in French: Rivière Broadback) is a river in northern Quebec, Canada. ...
The Harricana River and its mouth at Hannah Bay is visible on the left. ...
NWT Bloodvein River is a pristine river on the East side of Lake Winnipeg, in Manitoba, Canada, with no logging roads nearby. ...
Motto: Gloriosus et Liber (Latin: Glorious and free) Capital Winnipeg Largest city Winnipeg Official languages English and French, per mandate of the Constitution Act 1982 Government - Lieutenant-Governor John Harvard - Premier Gary Doer (NDP) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 14 - Senate seats 6 Confederation July 15, 1870 (5th...
The South Nahanni River is the centrepiece of Nahanni National Park Reserve, located roughly 500 kilometres west of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories of Canada. ...
Motto: none Official languages Chipewyan, Cree, English, French, Gwich’in, Inuinnaqtun, Inuktitut, Inuvialuktun, North Slavey, South Slavey, Tåîchô [1] Flower Mountain avens Tree Tamarack Bird Gyr Falcon Capital Yellowknife Largest city Yellowknife Commissioner Tony Whitford Premier Joe Handley (Consensus government (no party affiliations)) Parliamentary representation - House seats - Senate seats...
The Kazan River (white partridge), is a Canadian Heritage River located in Nunavut, Canada. ...
The Elaho River is a c. ...
United States
Eastern rivers Rivers in the eastern section of the United States are usually considered "technical," which means that due to lesser water volume, rafters and kayakers must often direct their craft through boulder-strewn sections of river, through narrow channels and shoals. This requires a degree of "river reading" skill, paddling precision, and understanding of hazards such as undercut rocks and strainers.
Northeast The following are some of the rivers in the Northeast that are popular. - Black River, New York - Class 3-5; http://www.americanwhitewater.org/rivers/id/1255/
- Contoocook River, New Hampshire - Class 3-4
- Dead River, Maine - Class 3-5
- Deerfield River, Vermont and Massachusetts - Class 2-5
- Delaware River, New York - many sections of this river can be paddled with the best sections being in New York; class 1-2.
- Esopus Creek, New York - Class 2-3
- Farmington River, Massachusetts and Connecticut - Class 3
- Housatonic River, Connecticut - Class 1-5
- Hudson River, North Creek, New York - Class 4
- Kennebec River, Maine - mostly Class 2-4, one Class 5 rapid
- Lehigh River, Whitehaven to Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania - a 24 mile run, through a beautiful gorge; Class 3, in high water this is a class 4 run.
- Mongaup River, New York - Class 3; a 2 mile section can be paddled from the base of a dam to the Delaware River.
- Nescopeck Creek, Pennsylvania - Class 2-3
- Penobscot River, Maine - Class 3-5
- Rockaway River, Boonton, New Jersey - Class 4; only a 1 mile section can be paddled but the gradient is a 120 feet for the mile, with the staircase rapids along Rt. 287 reaching 40 feet drop in a quarter of a mile.
- Ten Mile Creek, New York - Class 1-2; about 10 miles can be paddled; in early spring one can start at Big Indian.
- Westfield River, Massachusetts - Class 1-4; 40 miles of varying difficulty including Pork Barrel and Knightville.
- Youghiogheny River, Pennsylvania - Class 3-4
The Black River is a river that empties into the eastern end of Lake Ontario on the shore of Jefferson County, New York in the United States of America. ...
NY redirects here. ...
The Contoocook River is a 71 mile long river in New Hampshire. ...
Official language(s) English Capital Concord Largest city Manchester Area Ranked 46th - Total 9,359 sq mi (24,239 km²) - Width 68 miles (110 km) - Length 190 miles (305 km) - % water 3. ...
The Dead River in northern Maine (USA) originates at Flagstaff Lake and joins the Kennebec River at the West Forks. ...
Official language(s) None (English de facto; French is also an administrative language) Capital Augusta Largest city Portland Area Ranked 39th - Total 33,414 sq mi (86,542 km²) - Width 210 miles (338 km) - Length 320 miles (515 km) - % water 13. ...
Deerfield River Deerfield River is a river that runs for 73 miles from southern Vermont through northwestern Massachusetts to the Connecticut River. ...
Official language(s) None Capital Montpelier Largest city Burlington Area Ranked 45th - Total 9,620 sq mi (24,923 km²) - Width 80 miles (130 km) - Length 160 miles (260 km) - % water 3. ...
This article is about the U.S. State. ...
The Delaware River is a river on the Atlantic coast of the United States. ...
NY redirects here. ...
The Esopus Creek is a small river in southeastern New York, United States. ...
Farmington River and environs The Farmington River is a river located in the northwest of the US States of Connecticut and southwest Massachusetts. ...
This article is about the U.S. State. ...
It has been suggested that this article be split into multiple articles. ...
The Housatonic River is a river, approximately 144 mi (230 km) long, in western Massachusetts and central Connecticut in the United States. ...
It has been suggested that this article be split into multiple articles. ...
The Hudson River, called Muh-he-kun-ne-tuk in Mahican, is a river that runs through the eastern portion of New York State and, along its southern terminus, demarcates the border between the states of New York and New Jersey. ...
The course of the Kennebec River The Kennebec River is a river, 150 mi (240 km) long, in the state of Maine in the northeastern United States. ...
Official language(s) None (English de facto; French is also an administrative language) Capital Augusta Largest city Portland Area Ranked 39th - Total 33,414 sq mi (86,542 km²) - Width 210 miles (338 km) - Length 320 miles (515 km) - % water 13. ...
Lehigh River watershed Forest Scene on the Lehigh River in Pennsylvania. ...
Official language(s) English, Pennsylvania Dutch Capital Harrisburg Largest city Philadelphia Area Ranked 33rd - Total 46,055 sq mi (119,283 km²) - Width 280 miles (455 km) - Length 160 miles (255 km) - % water 2. ...
Nescopeck Creek is a tributary of the North Branch Susquehanna River in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania in the United States. ...
Panorama of the Penobscot River in Millinocket, Maine. ...
Official language(s) None (English de facto; French is also an administrative language) Capital Augusta Largest city Portland Area Ranked 39th - Total 33,414 sq mi (86,542 km²) - Width 210 miles (338 km) - Length 320 miles (515 km) - % water 13. ...
The Rockaway River is a tributary of the Passaic River, approximately 35 mi (56 km) long, in northern New Jersey in the United States. ...
Boonton is a town located in Morris County, New Jersey that was chartered in 1867. ...
This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ...
Map of the Monongahela River basin, with the Youghiogheny River highlighted. ...
Southeast Some signature streams in the Southeastern United States include: - James River, Richmond, Virginia - The only urban whitewater in North America. Class 4 rapids.
- Nantahala River, Bryson City, North Carolina - a relatively gentle river, with the final rapid having the propensity to send paddlers in for a cold, exhilarating swim; suitable for beginners.
- Toccoa/Ocoee River, Polk County, Tennessee - 1996 Olympic Canoe/Kayak Whitewater Slalom Competition was held on this world-class river; a special section was constructed for the venue, but the "lower" Ocoee is the classic ride that is almost continuously whitewater.
- New River, Thurmond, West Virginia - the next step up; its rapids are larger than those of the Ocoee, though they are separated by long flatwater pools.
- Cheat River, West Virginia - Class 4
- French Broad River, Asheville, North Carolina - featuring a long run of varying difficulty, from flatwater runnable in a canoe to class IV rapids near Hot Springs, North Carolina and the border with Tennessee. The main drawbacks are that the water tends to be muddy or polluted and it is a natural flow river.
- Nolichucky River, Erwin, Tennessee
- Chattooga River, Georgia / South Carolina - sports huge rapids, big drops, and thunderous power; this river can be a challenge for even experts; the Chattooga was one of the rivers used for the filming of the 1973 adventure movie, Deliverance.
- Gauley River, Summersville, West Virginia - has huge rapids, especially at the "Fall Drawdown" (when the reservoir is drained) is a world-class ride; many of them listed as Class V; the Upper Gauley, from Summersville to Mason's Branch, is the tougher section; the Lower Gauley, from Koontz' Flume to Swiss, is still a Class-IV river with significant hazards; navigating the Upper and Lower Gauley in a single day is called "the Gauley Marathon," twenty-four miles of big rapids and paddling.
- Green River, Asheville, North Carolina - the Green Narrows is the steepest "creek run" with regular activity in the Eastern U.S; with a gradient that reaches 600 feet/mile over one short section, The Narrows is a series of blind waterfalls and tight slots; regular, predictable releases from the Tuxedo Hydro Plant upstream draw paddlers on a regular basis.
- Russell Fork River - located in Breaks Interstate Park on the border of Kentucky and Virginia, this river drops 150 feet per mile in the Russell Fork Gorge, which has been described as a continuous forty-five degree waterfall; it has dangerous rapids, even experienced paddlers have died in its many undercut rocks, and there have been many close calls; for the most experienced rafters and kayakers only.
- Watauga River (Section V) flowing into Elizabethton, Tennessee (Northeast Tennessee) mostly cold water Class I-II rapids with the exception of the Bee Cliff Rapids following scheduled high volume reservoir releases from the Tennessee Valley Authority Wilbur Dam.
The James River at Cartersville The James River in the U.S. state of Virginia is 547. ...
Nickname: The River City Motto: Sic Itur Ad Astra (Thus do we reach the stars) Location in the Commonwealth of Virginia Coordinates: Country United States State Virginia County Independent City Mayor L. Douglas Wilder (D) Area - City 62. ...
Rafting down Nantahala Falls, a Class III rapid on the Nantahala River, with Nantahala Outdoor Center Nantahala River is located in western North Carolina in the United States, near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. ...
Bryson City is a town located in Swain County, North Carolina. ...
The Toccoa River and Ocoee River are actually a single river that flows northwestward through the southern Appalachian Mountains of the southeastern United States. ...
Polk County is a county located in the state of Tennessee. ...
Map of the Kanawha River watershed, with the New River and its watershed highlighted. ...
Thurmond is a town located in Fayette County, West Virginia on the New River. ...
The Cheat River is a tributary of the Monongahela River in eastern West Virginia and southwestern Pennsylvania in the United States. ...
Official language(s) English Capital Charleston Largest city Charleston Area Ranked 41st - Total 24,244 sq mi (62,809 km²) - Width 130 miles (210 km) - Length 240 miles (385 km) - % water 0. ...
The French Broad River flows from near Rosman in Transylvania County, North Carolina, into Tennessee. ...
Asheville City Hall. ...
The Nolichucky River at Embreeville in Washington County, Tennessee. ...
Erwin is a city located in Unicoi County, Tennessee. ...
Note: There is also a Chattooga River in Chattooga County, Georgia and Cherokee County, Alabama. ...
Official language(s) English Capital Charleston(1670-1789) Columbia(1790-present) Largest city Columbia Largest metro area Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson Area Ranked 40th - Total 34,726 sq mi (82,965 km²) - Width 200 miles (320 km) - Length 260 miles (420 km) - % water 6 - Latitude 32°430N to 35...
1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday. ...
This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...
The Gauley River is one of the most popular advanced whitewater runs in the Eastern United States and is the chief feature of the Gauley River National Recreation Area. ...
Summersville is a town located in Nicholas County, West Virginia. ...
Narrows of the green ...
Asheville City Hall. ...
The current version of the article or section reads like an advertisement. ...
Official language(s) English[1] Capital Frankfort Largest city Louisville Area Ranked 37th - Total 40,444 sq mi (104,749 km²) - Width 140 miles (225 km) - Length 379 miles (610 km) - % water 1. ...
Official language(s) English Capital Richmond Largest city Virginia Beach Area Ranked 35th - Total 42,793 sq mi (110,862 km²) - Width 200 miles (320 km) - Length 430 miles (690 km) - % water 7. ...
The Watauga River rises in Watauga County, North Carolina, a mountainous county in western North Carolina along the Tennessee state line. ...
Elizabethton is the county seat of Carter County, Tennessee. ...
TVA logo The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is a federally owned corporation in the United States created in May 1933 to provide navigation, flood control, electricity generation, fertilizer manufacturing, and economic development in the Tennessee Valley, a region particularly hard hit by the Great Depression. ...
West Coast rivers In the western United States, the more noted rivers, such as the Grand Canyon have much greater water volume and therefore require a different set of paddling skills. Western rafters also navigate many small, low volume rivers, some with much steeper descents than eastern rivers; however, since the mountains are newer in the west, the hazard from undercut rocks, a problem in the east, is replaced by more frequent log jams precipitated by logging activities near the rivers. The Grand Canyon is a very colorful, steep-sided gorge, carved by the Colorado River, in the U.S. state of Arizona. ...
The big-water rivers usually do not require the precision paddling of smaller rivers, but have larger rapids and longer wilderness trips due to the greater length and water flow of the big rivers. The smaller rivers and creeks boated by most rafters offer many one- or two-day trips with difficulty levels from I to VI.
In the West, some paddlers start on the American in California and work their way up to the Rogue and Illinois in Oregon, the Tuolomne (California), the Salmon in Idaho, the Snake, and then the big-water rivers like the Green and Colorado through the Grand Canyon (Arizona), the Fraser in British Columbia, and many Alaskan streams. Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area Ranked 3rd - Total 158,302 sq mi (410,000 km²) - Width 250 miles (400 km) - Length 770 miles (1,240 km) - % water 4. ...
Official language(s) None Capital Salem Largest city Portland Area Ranked 9th - Total 98,466 sq mi (255,026 km²) - Width 260 miles (420 km) - Length 360 miles (580 km) - % water 2. ...
This article or section does not adequately cite its references or sources. ...
Official language(s) English Capital Phoenix Largest city Phoenix Area Ranked 6th - Total 113,998 sq mi (295,254 km²) - Width 310 miles (500 km) - Length 400 miles (645 km) - % water 0. ...
Motto: Splendor Sine Occasu (Latin: Splendour without diminishment) Official languages English Capital Victoria Largest city Vancouver Lieutenant-Governor Iona Campagnolo Premier Gordon Campbell (BC Liberal) Parliamentary representation - House seats - Senate seats 36 6 Area Total - Land - Water (% of total) Ranked 5th 944,735 km² 925,186 km² 19,549 km...
Official language(s) English Capital Juneau Largest city Anchorage Area Ranked 1st - Total 663,267 sq mi (1,717,855 km²) - Width 808 miles (1,300 km) - Length 1,479 miles (2,380 km) - % water 13. ...
Washington All Washington Rivers & Descriptions on ProfessorPaddle.com
The most popular runs in Washington are listed below. - Green III-IV
- Wenatchee III
- Skykomish III-IV
- Skookumchuck Narrows III-IV
- Snoqualmie III-IV
- Icicle Creek V+
- Tumwater Canyon V
Colorado and Utah -
- Cache La Poudre - Colorado's only federally designated Wild and Scenic River contains sections appropriate for every level of expertise including an easy Class II section, several Class III and Class-IV sections, as well as some Class V. There is a Class VI waterfall that is very dangerous because the last drop is unrunnable. The water pours off a slab into a 2-foot-wide crack and grinds anything that goes into it.
- Colorado River
- Gore Canyon - a Class-IV reach with two significant Class-V rapids. The first Class V, Gore Rapid, is tighly surrounded by several large Class-IV rapids. Most of the water flows to the river-left side of the rapid, where a very nasty and very sticky hydraulic runs into a large rock. The second Class-V Rapid, Tunnel Rapid, is mostly comprised of a single large ledge. On the right side of the rapid is a very nasty and very sticky hole that is bordered by a large rock on the left preventing people from exiting. On the left side of the ledge, the water is redirected right back into the large hole. The water is redirected by an undercut rock.
- I-70 Section - Class-III big water, pushy at times.
Cataract Canyon Varies in class from III to V. At over 50,000 cubic feet per second (1400 m³/s), Cataract Canyon becomes class V. The first 48 miles (77 km) from Potash boat ramp are flat water. Four miles (6 km) after the confluance of the Green and Colorado rivers Cataract Canyon begins. Major John Wesley Powell navigated the rapids in 1869 and gave Cataract Canyon its name. Cataract Canyon slices its way through Canyonlands National Park. Prior to becoming a National Park in 1964, Canyonlands and particularly Cataract Canyon was a "no man's land". French trapper Denis Julien made his way up the canyon in 1836 and left his inscription near the confluence or the Green and Colorado Rivers. This is a partial list of rivers in the state of Colorado in the United States. ...
Spring runoff from the Uinta, Wasatch, and the western fronts of the Rocky Mountains combines to create some of the most exciting whitewater in North America. Flows have been gauged at over 110000 Cubic feet per Second in 1984. This is much larger than in the Grand Canyon where water is released from the Glen Canyon Dam and therefore regulated. In an average year Cataract Canyon will peak at 35,000 cubic feet per second (1000 m³/s) which creates 32 rapids (depending on water levels in Lake Powell). At over 50,000 cubic feet per second (1400 m³/s) the rapids from rapid 14 through rapid 24 form some of the most awe inspiring whitewater in North America.
- Arkansas River - a big river, with many sections ranging from Class I to V, very popular with kayakers and with commercial rafting companies.
Idaho -
- Lochsa River
- The Main Fork of the Salmon River III-IV
- The Middle Fork of the Samon River III-IV
- Payette River (Main)
- Payette River, North Fork
This is a list of rivers in the U.S. state of Idaho. ...
Montana -
The following is a partial list of rivers in the state of Montana in the United States. ...
The Gallatin River The Gallatin River is a tributary of the Missouri River, approximately 120 mi (193 km long), in the U.S. states of Wyoming and Montana. ...
Wyoming -
The following is a partial list of rivers in the state of Wyoming in the United States. ...
The Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River The Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River (sometimes called the Clarks Fork River) is a tributary of the Yellowstone River, approximately 150 mi (241 km) long in the U.S. states of Montana and Wyoming. ...
European whitewater rivers
United Kingdom Whitewater rivers in the UK are typically low volume and technical. In England and Wales rivers are typically less than 20 m³/s, and some are run with less than 1 m³/s (usually these involve skidding the kayak down steep rockslides and small waterfalls). In Scotland there are also a few bigger volume (up to about 50 m³/s) rivers. Motto: (French for God and my right) Anthem: God Save the King/Queen Capital London (de facto) Largest city London Official language(s) English (de facto) Unification - by Athelstan AD 927 Area - Total 130,395 km² (1st in UK) 50,346 sq mi Population - 2006 est. ...
This article is about the country. ...
Motto: (Latin) No one provokes me with impunity(English) Wha daur meddle wi me? (Scots)[1] Anthem: Multiple unofficial anthems Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow Official languages English, Gaelic, Scots[2] Government - Queen Queen Elizabeth II - Prime Minister Tony Blair MP - First Minister Jack McConnell MSP Unification - by Kenneth I...
Almost all runs in England and Wales need recent rain to be at a paddleable level, and many can only be run immediately after heavy rain. In Scotland some bigger rivers can be run for weeks after rain although as with the rest of the country, most need recent wet weather. The paddling season is year-round but the rivers are more often runnable in winter (the wettest months of the year being December and January). Exceptions to this include rivers which have artificialy maintained flows from reservoirs. On these rivers flow may increase in dry weather as more water is released. The Afon Tryweryn is one example in Wales. The Tryweryn is a river in North Wales. ...
Most runs offer only a few kilometres of whitewater; often several rivers can be run on a wet day. Some rivers consist of only a single rapid. Only a few rivers (such as the Findhorn and Spean in the Scottish Highlands) have more than a days' worth of paddling, and most of this tends to be grade III or less. The River Findhorn (Scottish Gaelic: Uisge Eireann) is one of the longest rivers in Scotland. ...
There is no natural whitewater in the (mainly flat) south and east of England. Here whitewater paddlers often go playboating at man made weirs. Hurley weir on the River Thames west of London is probably the most popular. There are several artificial whitewater courses, where water is pumped or diverted though a concrete channel containing obstacles to create rapids. There is a 28 m³/s artificial whitewater course on the Trent at Holme Pierrepont in Nottingham (at the National Watersports Centre), a 5 m³/s course on the Tees in Teesside, and smaller courses on the Nene at Northampton, and at Cardington. Playboating is a discipline of kayaking or canoeing where the paddler performs various technical moves in one place (a playspot), as opposed to whitewater canoeing or kayaking where the objective is to travel the length of a section of river (although whitewater canoeists will often stop and play en-route). ...
The bridge and weir mechanism at Sturminster Newton on the River Stour, Dorset. ...
Hurley Weir is an area used for freestyle kayaking in the United Kingdom. ...
The Thames (pronounced //) is a river flowing through southern England, in its lower reaches flowing through London into the sea. ...
The main Artifical Courses are located in the United Kingdom at Nottingham,Northampton and Teeside. ...
For other uses see Trent River. ...
Holme Pierrepont is a hamlet located 5 miles south of the city of Nottingham in Nottinghamshire, England. ...
Nottingham is a city (and county town of Nottinghamshire) in the East Midlands of England. ...
A view of the Sports Centre across the rowing lake The Holme Pierrepont National Watersports Centre is located in the village of Holme Pierrepont near Nottingham, England and on the River Trent. ...
The Tees is a little river in Northern England. ...
Arms of the County Borough of Teesside Teesside is the name given to the conurbation in northern England based on Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees and Redcar, along the banks of the River Tees with a resident population of over 388,000 in 2005. ...
Northampton Guildhall, built 1861-4, E.W. Godwin, architect Northampton is a large market town and a local government district in central England on the River Nene, and the county town of Northamptonshire, in the English East Midlands region. ...
In England Commercial rafting is limited to artificial whitewater courses (where it often provides the majority of the courses' income). Bigger and more reliable rivers can be found in Scotland and Wales, in particular the River Findhorn, River Orchy, River Spey, River Tay and the Afon Tryweryn. Motto: (French for God and my right) Anthem: God Save the King/Queen Capital London (de facto) Largest city London Official language(s) English (de facto) Unification - by Athelstan AD 927 Area - Total 130,395 km² (1st in UK) 50,346 sq mi Population - 2006 est. ...
Motto: (Latin) No one provokes me with impunity(English) Wha daur meddle wi me? (Scots)[1] Anthem: Multiple unofficial anthems Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow Official languages English, Gaelic, Scots[2] Government - Queen Queen Elizabeth II - Prime Minister Tony Blair MP - First Minister Jack McConnell MSP Unification - by Kenneth I...
This article is about the country. ...
The River Findhorn (Scottish Gaelic: Uisge Eireann) is one of the longest rivers in Scotland. ...
Situated in the heart of the Grampian mountains, in Argyll, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of city life, lies Glen Orchy. ...
The River Spey is a river in Scotland that runs 107 miles (172 km) to the Moray Firth at Spey Bay, making it the second longest river in Scotland. ...
The River Tay looking eastwards from Perth The River Tay, in terms of flow (193 kilometres or 120 miles), is the longest river in Scotland. ...
The Tryweryn is a river in North Wales. ...
There are several sites off the west coast of Britain where strong tidal currents channeled between islands create big volume sections of whitewater. These include the Bitches in Pembrokeshire in Wales, and the Falls of Lora on the west coast of Scotland. The Falls of Lora is a tidal race which forms at the mouth of Loch Etive when a particularly high tide runs out from the loch. ...
Legal access to whitewater is a big issue in England and Wales. The public are only allowed access to a tiny proportion of the available whitewater, and often this is restricted to a few months or even a few days per year. This limits commercial operations and the activities of clubs, but many individual kayakers still paddle illegally. Rivers are almost all private and access must be agreed with all of the riparian owners (the owners of the land either side of the river) and the owners of the fishing rights, otherwise canoeing or kayaking there is trespass (although landowners can do little other than tell trespassers to leave their property). Agreements rarely exist as there is no incentive for the owners of rivers to let anyone else use them. In Scotland, like most of the rest of the world, access to whitewater is legal and has never been illegal. It has been enshrined in law in the recent Scottish Land Reform act. The Right to Roam act in England explicitly excluded rivers. The British Canoe Union is running the Rivers Access Campaign to raise awareness and bring about changes in the law to permit public access to all inland rivers in England and Wales. A riparian zone schematic from the Everglades. ...
A sign warning against trespassing // In law, trespass can be: the criminal act of going into somebody elses land or property without permission of the owner or lessee; it is also a civil law tort that may be a valid cause of action to seek judicial relief and possibly...
Land reform (also agrarian reform, though that can have a broader meaning) is an often-controversial type of government-initiated or government-backed real estate property redistribution, generally of agricultural land. ...
The Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 is a UK act of parliament which came into force on November 30, 2000. ...
This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ...
The Rivers Access Campaign is being undertaken by the British Canoe Union (BCU) to open up the inland water-ways in England and Wales on behalf of members of the public. ...
Alps Popular whitewater rivers in the Alps are mainly medium volume glacier-fed rivers with long continuous rapids and few big drops. The season is short (two or three months in early summer when the snow and glaciers are melting) but the whitewater is reliable in this period. Tourists come from around Europe to kayak and raft--the most popular centres are Briançon in the French Alps, and the area around Landeck in Austria. The west face of the Petit Dru above the Chamonix valley near the Mer de Glace. ...
A glacier is a large, long-lasting river of ice that is formed on land and moves in response to gravity and undergoes internal deformation. ...
Briançon is a town and commune in the French départment of Hautes-Alpes (Provence-Alpes-Côte dAzur), of which it is the sous-préfecture. ...
The French Alps are simply those parts of the Alps mountain range which lie in France. ...
View of Landeck Landeck is a city in Tyrol, Austria with approximately 7,501 inhabitants. ...
Whitewater in Norway Norwegian whitewater rivers are typically steep pool-drop rivers with many waterfalls, and are run mainly by experienced kayakers. There are also bigger (sometimes glacier-fed) rivers which are sometimes rafted. The season lasts all summer, although some rivers only run after recent rain.
Norwegian waterfalls regularly feature on extreme kayaking videos.
See also Fluid dynamics is the sub-discipline of fluid mechanics dealing with fluids (liquids and gases) in motion. ...
Whitewater racing is a competitive discipline of canoeing in which kayaks or canadian canoes are used to negotiate a stretch of river speedily. ...
Whitewater Slalom is a competitive sport where the aim is to navigate a decked canoe or kayak through a course of gates on river rapids in the fastest time possible. ...
Rafting is a recreational activity utilizing a raft to navigate a river or other bodies of water. ...
Whitewater kayaking is the sport of paddling a kayak on a moving body of water, typically a river. ...
River surfing was pioneered by Jon Imhoff in 1989 on the Shotover River in Queenstown, New Zealand. ...
A standing wave, also known as a stationary wave, is a wave that remains in a constant position. ...
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