International Scale of River Difficulty
- Class 1 - Easy
- Straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels which are evident without scouting.
Occasional maneuvering may be required, but rocks and medium sized waves are easily
missed by trained paddlers. Swimmers are seldom injured and group assistance, while
helpful, is seldom needed.
- Class 2 - Novice
- Straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels which are evident without scouting.
Occasional maneuvering may be required, but rocks and medium sized waves are easily
missed by trained paddlers. Swimmers are seldom injured and group assistance, while
helpful, is seldom needed.
- Class 3 - Intermediate
- Rapids with moderate, irregular waves which may be difficult to avoid and which
can swamp an open canoe. Complex maneuvers in fast current and good boat control
in tight passages or around ledges are often required; large waves or strainers
may be present but are easily avoided. Strong eddies and powerful current effects
can be found, particularly on large-volume rivers. Scouting is advisable for inexperienced
parties. Injuries while swimming are rare; self-rescue is usually easy but group
assistance may be required to avoid long swims.
- Class 4 - Advanced
- Intense, powerful but predictable rapids requiring precise boat handling in turbulent
water. Depending on the character of the river, it may feature large, unavoidable
wave and holes or constricted passages demanding fast maneuvers under pressure.
A fast, reliable eddy turn may be needed to initiate maneuvers, scout rapids, or
rest. Scouting is necessary the first time down. Risk of injury to swimmers is moderate
to high, and water conditions may make self-rescue difficult. Group assistance for
rescue is often essential but requires practiced skills. A strong eskimo roll is
highly recommended. Rivers that are Class 3 in areas of easy access may be upgraded
to Class 4 when encountered in remote wilderness.
- Class 5 - Expert
- Extremely long, obstructed, or very violent rapids which expose a paddler to significant
danger. Drops may contain large, unavoidable waves and holes, or steep congested
chutes with complex, demanding routes. Rapids may continue for long distances between
pools, demanding a high level of fitness. Eddies may not exist or may be small,
turbulent, or difficult to reach. At the high end of the scale, several of these
factors may be combined. Scouting is mandatory but often difficult. Swims are dangerous,
and rescue is difficult even for experts. A very reliable eskimo roll, proper equipment,
extensive experience, and practiced rescue skills are essential for survival.
- Class 6 - Extreme
- One grade more difficult than Class 5. These runs often exemplify the extremes
of difficulty, unpredictability and danger. The consequences of errors are very
severe and rescue may be impossible. For teams of experts only, at favorable water
levels, after close personal inspection and taking all precautions. This class does
not represent drops thought to be unrunnable, but may include rapids which are only
occasionally run.
- Notes:
- As techniques and equipment have improved over the years, many rivers have been
downgraded. When asking about the class rating on a river, bear in mind the skill
and experience of the person providing the rating. Expert paddlers may downgrade
borderline rivers while less experienced paddlers may upgrade a river.
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