Colorado River — Cataract Canyon

About

Commercial rafters run 46 miles of the Colorado through Cataract Canyon at flows ranging from 5,000 to 30,000 CFS, with 12,000 CFS average making this one of the biggest-volume whitewater runs in the lower 48. The first 14 miles below the Green River confluence build through Class II-III rapids as the canyon deepens around Dark Canyon. The middle 12 miles to Big Drop feature Class III-IV water where major rapids begin in earnest. The final 20 miles contain the climactic Big Drop sequence — Class IV-V continuous drops that define Cataract's reputation — before the current dies in Lake Powell's backwater. Located within Canyonlands National Park across Wayne and Garfield counties in Utah, Cataract requires multi-day commitment and solid high-volume whitewater skills. Sheri Griffith Expeditions and Tag-A-Long Expeditions hold permits for commercial trips. USGS gauge 09180500 tracks the flows that determine whether you're looking at pushy Class IV or boat-flipping Class V through the Big Drop rapids.