Cataract CanyonJune 2023
Four-day Cataract Canyon run at 33,790 CFS with Lake Powell at 3,557 ft. Motored from Potash to Spanish Bottoms overnight, ran Big Drops on a stern-assist rig that the crew called a missile. Got a taste of the Claw on Big Drop 2 and muscled right of the Gut for a clean Big Drop 3 run.
Launch & Motor to Spanish Bottoms
33,900 cfs (USGS daily mean) | Moab, UT: 60–95°F
Launched by 3 PM from Potash. Motored through the flatwater at roughly 5 MPH, arriving at Spanish Bottoms around 1 AM. Long overnight push to get into position for the rapids.
Spanish Bottoms to Dark Canyon
33,260 cfs (USGS daily mean) | Moab, UT: 60–94°F
Ran the Big Drops at 33,790 CFS. The Claw appeared to be flushing out. Had the left-to-right ferry angle locked on Big Drop 2 but decided to drop in before catching the eddy — got a piece of the right side of the Claw. In hindsight the Claw looked awesome and runnable, but unclear whether there would have been time to get right of the Gut afterward. Even taking just a bite of the right side, still had to muscle hard right of the Gut. Made the eddy, which set up a clean Big Drop 3 run. The stern assist rig was amazing — no moments of feeling compromised. Paul, Katie, and Alex all said paddling felt very secure, they could lock one leg under the table, and the rig was stout, secure, like a missile. Camped at Dark Canyon — big sandy beach clogged at the mouth, dry and muddy walk back to the bedrock.
Spanish Bottoms to Dark Canyon
Scouting from shore at high water — three sets of eyes on a rapid running above 33,000 cfs.
Dark Canyon to Lake Powell
33,180 cfs (USGS daily mean) | Moab, UT: 57–94°F
Take Out
31,220 cfs (USGS daily mean) | Moab, UT: 55–96°F
- The Claw at flush stage looks runnable but commits you — unclear if there's time to then get right of the Gut
- Dropping in before the eddy on Big Drop 2 still requires muscling right of the Gut
- Stern assist paddling rig gives crew confidence and security in big water — locked legs under table, stout platform
- Dark Canyon bench camp: sandy beach clogged at mouth, expect a dry/muddy walk back to bedrock
Stern assist paddling rig — crew commented it felt very secure, locked legs under table, stout and missile-like. Bring on bigger water.
Colorado at Potash: 23,100–24,300 cfs (avg 23,525)
Green at Mineral Bottom: 7,920–10,800 cfs (avg 9,365)
Combined: 31,220–33,900 cfs (avg 32,890)
Lake Powell: 3582.26 ft at launch (3582.26–3583.47 ft during trip). USBR RISE API — Lake Powell at Glen Canyon Dam
Weather: Moab, UT, 55–96°F. NOAA GHCN-Daily
Evidence behind the claims on this page — agency rules, maps, gauges, books, and field notes.
Permits
Hydrology
All 14 field sources
Access
Rapids
- book-excerpt Cataract Canyon (Webb / Belnap / Weisheit) — Selected Pages
- book RiverMaps Guide to the Colorado & Green Rivers in the Canyonlands of Utah & Colorado
Management
Books
Safety
- book-excerpt Cataract Canyon (Webb / Belnap / Weisheit) — Selected Pages
Cataract Canyon — September 2020
Cataract Canyon — October 2026
Snake River — June 2024 (Alpine Canyon x3, Dory)
Green River — May 2026 (Spillway Full Release, 9,800 CFS)
Desolation Canyon — March 2026
Cataract Canyon — October 2025
Cataract Canyon — May 2022
Cataract Canyon — December 2016
On this trip
Join the Expedition Briefing
Route drops, river notes, gear systems, and field reports—sent like a briefing, not a newsletter.