If it looks runnable in the foreground it probably is.
Below are older pictures so you can gauge how quickly the Moodna’s rising or falling.
Real-time cellular river-cam data and setup thanks to https://rivercam.io/.
Moonda is at it’s best days after big rains when it’s running clear and most flashier stuff isn’t running.
Rapid shown is typical of the scratchier sections. Like on most rivers, lowest flow is subject to personal taste.
Higher flow – barely touch 32 dam, big holes.
Higher flow – stout, getting into class 4: Foreground rapids washing out. H0les are getting pretty substantial though more sneak routes open up. Running first dam isn’t outright boat abuse. Most rapids have sneaks at higher levels, but pillars (portagable, 3ish sneak), factory (long portage) and peril are getting into class 3.
Medium flow – rocks barely showing
Medium: Rocks barely showing but eddies and waves apparent. At this level and lower the wave below island below pillars and wave below peril are starting to get eddy service. Class 2 upper section has some play but if you like your boat portage the first dam.
Low Flow Rapids in image is typical, with some good surf and squirts.
Low flow – only 1 channel
Normally only the gorge (32 to Forge Hill Road) is run at low flow.
ELF (Extra Low Flow): How much to you like your boat? Again, rapid shown is typical of scrapier sections though not the worst spot.
You should be able to stay in your boat if it looks like you could get down the rapid shown. Hole below the tooth is a straightforward surf, you’ll get caught at the top of the 2nd dam but should be able to slide down.
As of 2023 only the last rapid in gorge, the no longer aptly named Rootball, (recognized by a hard right turn with an island with most of the low flow going right) had issues with an awkward pair of rocks in the main flow of the drop. Let us know if you find an alternative.
Pillars holds wood so run catiously or scout. Pillars is normally hitting the eddies on the right of this picture above the far right pillars and then ferrying into the meat to left of the central pillar or dropping off the cheat at the furthest point of the shelf to the right of the central ‘wave’ pillar. From the boat the sneak looks like a vertical drop into a retentive hole, but is a sloping slide.
Moodna Meeting locations
Pillars holds wood. Always scout if you don’t have good beta. Skilled paddlers who know the river can boat scout, bumping down the right side and hitting the eddies on the right of this picture above the far right pillars.
If unfamiliar with the river or uncertain of your skills, scout river right.
From the eddy the main line is ferrying into the meat to left of the central pillar or (easier) dropping off the furthest point of the shelf to the right of the central ‘wave’ pillar.
From above this sneak looks like a vertical drop into a retentive hole, but is a sloping slide.
River Classification *III , IV
Description * This River is listed on the American Whitewater site at https://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/River/view/river-detail/1350/main. Class III,IV section begins at the Rt. 94 bridge. and ends at the Forge Hill Rd. Bridge,
For the class 2 section above and below the harder part, 94 parallels the upper section and Forge Hill Road parallels the lower section, both on river right.
Tidewater below 9 with a pretty estuary. Closest accessible takeout if you head down river is Sloop Hill State Unique Area. Most folks will not want to do this in a whitewater boat.