Button Hole

Also known as: Rapid 18, The Button, Button Hole Rapid

Button Hole (Rapid 18) is the signature feature within the South Seas core of the Mile Long sequence. The name refers to a large lateral hole on river-right that forms at moderate-to-high flows and catches craft that drift off the preferred river-left line. At 25,000+ cfs the hole becomes increasingly retentive; at 28,000 cfs it is often cited as one of the most photogenic big-water features on the Colorado. Part of the high-water South Seas wave train. Button Hole is the signature feature of the South Seas. The 'river-left line' at medium flows is narrow but well-defined; at 25,000+ cfs the river-right lateral hydraulic expands and catches boats that drift off the setup. Webb/Belnap/Weisheit photograph it at ~28,000 cfs for the most photogenic characterization.