Class III-IVGlenwood Canyon, CO
Colorado River — Shoshone
0 CFS→
Too LowAbout this run
Shoshone Rapid is the most famous single drop on the Colorado River — a powerful Class III hydraulic created by a natural constriction just upstream of the Shoshone Hydroelectric Plant in Glenwood Canyon. The Shoshone power plant holds the oldest water rights on the Colorado, which means that whenever the plant is running, the river must maintain minimum flows through the canyon regardless of upstream diversions. That makes Shoshone a uniquely reliable gauge: if the plant is on, the river is running. The short run through the rapid and the canyon downstream is spectacular, with I-70 above and 1,200-foot walls on both sides.
Known Hazards
- Shoshone Rapid — powerful hydraulic on river left, run center to right
- High water above 3,500 CFS creates a more aggressive hydraulic — scout if unfamiliar
- I-70 traffic noise in the canyon, but no road access to the riverbank mid-canyon
- Cold water year-round from deep canyon shade and upstream snowmelt
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0CFS→
stable
Too LowOptimal RangeHigh
Current0 CFS
Optimal Min1,200 CFS
Optimal Max4,000 CFS
StatusToo Low
River Info
RegionGlenwood Canyon
StateCO
DifficultyClass III-IV
USGS Gauge09084000
RunnableNo