Power or Paddle Rafting?
The Thompson and Fraser are exceptionally large, deep rivers. The Thompson is a tributary of the Fraser and carries about one-third the flow of the Fraser. They meet at Lytton (The Salish Indians of Lytton referred to the spectacle of these two great rivers converging as the great forks or “kumsheen”. Hence our name.) An average spring runoff is 115,000 cfs for the Thompson and 350,000 cfs for the Fraser – most whitewater rafting rivers in North America flow between 1000 to 5000 cfs – this is an enormous amount of water! Because of the rivers’ big volumes, we are able to offer you two raft styles – paddle and power (motorized) rafts – an option very few rivers can present. We pioneered both raft styles on the Thompson and Fraser and are experts in both kinds. Which style is “better?” Neither – they simply are different. As a general rule we recommend power rafts for most first time river runners on the Thompson. They are our only option for the Fraser and for high water on the Thompson
