FRASER RIVER DRAINAGE
This is just a list of runs with whitewater potential that I've been collecting. Some are well-known classics, some are burly exploratory adeventures, and others are just a couple drops. You'll need to do your own research for several of these but here's a list to get you started.
Lower Fraser (Vancouver area)
Listed here are runs that flow into the Fraser River. There are additional town runs that flow into Burrard Inlet that include Capilano, Seymour, and Lynn (see Sea to Sky page).
Lower Fraser (Harrison drainage, including Pemberton area)
The majority of these runs are tributaries to the Lillooet River which flows into Harrison Lake and are accessed out of Pemberton (Yahoo map) which is near Whistler.
- 21 Mile Creek - featured in the film Spawning Grounds
- Alta Creek (River of G D)
- Billygoat Creek
- Birkenhead River - Class 3/4 run. Description found in Pratt-Johnson's guidebook.
- Chehalis/Statlu - Great class 3/4 run that starts on Statlu Creek. Description in Pratt-Johnson's guidebook.
- Douglas Creek
- Fire Creek
- Fitzsimmons Creek
- Gowan Creek
- Green River - Pool drop class 2/3 run. Description in Crowe and Hnatiak's guide.
- Joffre Creek
- Lillooet River - Description for three different runs found in Pratt-Johnson's guidebook. Mostly class 2/3 on a larger volume river.
- Meager Creek
- North Creek - featured in the film Spawning Grounds.
- Owl Creek
- Pebble (Boulder) Creek
- Rutherford Creek - This was a great class 4/5 run that sadly fell victim to a hydro project. The run was shown in Still Twitchin'
- Snowcap Creek
- Rogers Creek (link to kayakwest) - Class 4/5 run with some beautiful waterfalls (you've probably seen photos). Also featured in the film Aerated and Nurpu.
- Ryan River - Steep class 4/5 run. Featured in Nurpu.
- Sloquet Creek
- Soo River - Class 4/5 run that's very popular outside Whistler.
- South Creek - Featured in Still Twitchin'
- Tuwasus Creek
- Ure Creek
Lower Fraser (Chilliwack to Thompson)
- Chilliwack - Several sections from class II to IV including a fun canyon section and a slalom training site.
- Chilliwack Slough - flatwater slalom course
- Coquihalla (link to kayakwest) - class III(IV) accessed out of Hope. More adventures upstream.
- Fraser River Canyon - bigwater with longer flat sections separated by some significant drops including Hell's Gate. There is a run between Yale and Hope.
- Nahatlatch - great class III on the main run with a fun class IV/V canyon section just before the river dumps into the Fraser.
- Norrish - creek run that enters the Fraser from the north across from the Chilliwack.
- Silverhope Creek - Originates along the US/Canadian border and drains into the Fraser near Hope.
- Slesse Creek (link to BC Paddle Page) - class III(IV) tributary of the Chilliwack
Lower Fraser (Thompson drainage)
- Adams - Short but scenic class II with one more challenging class III+ canyon section.
- Clearwater - Some of the best bigwater playboating in the region and several challenging rapids if you're willing to explore upstream. Mostly class IV but you can find some significant class V bigwater and some fun sections of class III
- Nicola - class II/III tributary of the Thompson that enters just upstream of Spence's Bridge.
- Spius Creek (link to kayakwest) - class II/III tributary of the Nicola
- Thompson - great late-season class III/IV playboating when levels drop enough to expose several fun features including The Frog.
Middle Fraser (Thompson to Chilcotin)
- Bridge - Some class IV rapids but separated by easier sections. Incredibly scenic run that ends on the Fraser.
- Cayoosh Creek (link to kayakwest) - A few different sections. Fraser tributary between the Stein and Bridge R ivers.
- Chilko/Chilcotin - several sections from class II to IV/V.
- Hurley/Cadwallader River - located in the Bridge River drainage. Lower gorge with class IV+ and some class V. Upper gorge with 5 waterfalls.
- Stein - Empties into the Fraser just upstream of the Thompson confluence. Opportunities for great class IV/V hike in day trip or multiday wilderness trips if you start higher up.
Upper Fraser (above Chilcotin confluence)
Just a couple runs listed here but for more information on the upper reaches of this drainage see kayakwest which provides good coverage of area runs.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION for some of these runs:
World Whitewater
Whitewater Trips for Kayakers, Canoeists and Rafters in British Columbia
Whitewater in BC's Southwest
Twitch Videos