American Whitewater has negotiated 2025 recreational flow dates for the Upper American River Hydroelectric Project operated by the Sacramento Municipal Utility District, including the Slab Creek and Ice House runs. Thus far, California’s snowpack and rainfall sets up excellent whitewater opportunities for the South Fork American River below Slab Creek Dam and South Fork Silver Creek below Ice House Dam. The forecasted water year for the watershed will give us six days of scheduled flows for Slab Creek and four days of flows on Ice House. Based on boater feedback, Slab Creek will have flow level days in the range of 850, 900, 1000, and 1100 cfs. Flows on Ice House will be 400 and 500 cfs.  

Keep in mind whitewater recreation during these flow dates, for both reaches, will be monitored by SMUD and could lead to more release dates in the future. During a five-year period of monitoring, if an average of 95 launches per day is achieved on Slab Creek, SMUD will be required to provide more days of whitewater boating flows, including days in the Fall. On Ice House, the trigger number for more days stands at a five-year average of 65 launches per day. So, break out your boats and paddles and have some fun!

South Fork American River below Slab Creek 2025:

10AM - 4PM

Saturday, March 29 – 1100 cfs

Sunday, March 30 – 1000 cfs

Saturday, April 5 – 1000 cfs

Sunday, April 13 – 900 cfs

Saturday, April 19 – 1000 cfs

Saturday, April 26 – 850 cfs

South Fork Silver Creek below Ice House Dam 2025:

10 AM to 3 PM

Saturday, June 7 – 400 cfs

Saturday, June 14 – 500 cfs

Saturday, June 21 – 500 cfs

Saturday, June 28 – 400 cfs

Photo provided by Trevor Croft Rafting Magazine