International River Grading System
- Grade 1 - Easy Rivers Regular stream, waves and small rapids. Simple
obstructions.
- Grade 2 - Medium Rivers Passage free, irregular stream and waves.
medium rapids, small stoppers, eddies, whirlpools and pressure areas. Simple obstructions in flow
and small drops.
- Grade 3 - Difficult Rivers.Route recognisable. High irregular waves.
Large rapids. Stoppers, eddies, whirlpools and pressure areas. Isolated boulders, small
drops and many obstructions in stream.
- Grade 4 - Very Difficult Rivers Route not always
recognisable. Inspection mostly necessary. Heavy continuous rapids.
Heavy stoppers, whirlpools and pressure areas. Boulders obstructing stream, big with undertow.
- Grade 5 - Exceedingly Difficult Rivers Inspection essential. Extreme
rapids. Stoppers, whirlpools and pressure areas. Narrow passages, steep gradients and drops with
difficult access and landing.
- Grade 6 - Absolute Limit of Difficulty Generally speaking impossible.
Possibly navigable at particular water levels. High risk.
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