S T A N D I N G W a V e s
Big Creekin’ in the high sierras.
PHoto darin mcQuoid
Just add Water
BAGGING THE FIRST AND MAYBE LAST DESCENT OF THE SAN JOAQUIN’S SOUTH FORK
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ARVING A DESCENT through 6,200 feet of than they could get through the generators,” Fork takes everything about it to the next level.”
unyielding granite, water from the South Fork explained Martzen. Thirsty farmers down the The run is filled with inescapable granite
San Joaquin has earned a reputation for being valley meant water in the South Fork, and a gorges, mandatory class V+ rapids, complex
the hardest working water in the world. On its shot at a first descent. The flow window would portages and pure wilderness scenery. For the
turbulent journey, the water is reused nine times be brief and uncertain—the release starting on first three days the group was surprised at how
as the river runs a gauntlet of lakes, tunnels and the Friday of Labour Day weekend. “My con- much they paddled, but late into day three it was
powerhouses all part of the Big Creek Hydroelec- tact was fairly sure that the release would last painfully obvious they wouldn’t get out in the al-
tric Project. Construction of Big Creek began in through Sunday.” loted time.
1912 and the last powerhouse at Balsam Mead- With a three-day window, a group of four Califor- “Large sieves made us leave river level and
ow, built in 1987, is 1,000 feet underground and nia and Oregon kayakers decided to go for it. Ben portage over gorges,” says Thomas. Increasing-
carved from solid granite. Big Creek, California’s Stookesberry, Darin McQuoid and Matt Thomas ly numerous and treacherous portages made for
largest hydro project, swallows all but a trickle of drove through the night to meet with Kevin Smith slow progress. As three days stretched to four,
the South Fork’s aquamarine waters. for a once-in-a-lifetime assault on the river. Big Creek’s gates closed and the South Fork
Information regarding the project is held as “It was no surprise that we had to portage eased back underground into restless hiding.
tightly as the hold on water flows. In late August, large sections of Mono Creek, a small tributary “The South Fork San Joaquin is the hardest
American Whitewater volunteer Paul Martzen inundated by 500 cubic feet per second,” says of the High Sierras,” says Stookesberry. “It’s an
heard rumours of a release. Smith. “The Middle Fork San Joaquin is known absolute classic multi-day.”
“The hydro project had to move more water as the hardest run in California, but the South Too bad it’s gone. —Darin McQuoid
1 Rapid
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