BLM Resource Planning Underway for Western Oregon
Posted: 01/08/2013
By: Thomas O'Keefe
The Bureau of Land Management manages more than 2.5 million acres in western Oregon. These lands provide forest products, fish and wildlife habitat, and countless recreation opportunities including whitewater recreation. Unlike national forests, BLM western Oregon public lands are generally not large contiguous blocks. A "checkerboard" of lands make up these federal lands. Currently the BLM is updating their management plan for these lands and the associated rivers and as part of this process they are evaluating rivers for their eligibility as wild and scenic rivers.
As a first step in the planning process, the BLM is conducting a survey of users to gain a better
understanding of recreational use and public values. It is important for the whitewater paddling
community to participate in this process and identify river-based recreational resources of
regional significance. The survey includes the rivers below that American Whitewater has
preliminarily identified as having value for whitewater recreation. We will be conducting a more
complete inventory and analysis and you can help in one of a couple ways:
1) Take the survey on the BLM website. Note that the first survey focuses on
rivers and the second survey focuses on general recreation sites, many of which represent key
access points or day-use sites along rivers. Comments must be submitted by Feb. 18, 2013.
2) Help us fill out our database. You will note that several of our pages for
the river segments lack a description or photo. If you have information to add, the easiest way
to do so is to make a comment (any registered user can make a comment). Alternatively, active
members can be granted permission to edit reach descriptions (let us know if you are interested).
Finally, you can just email us some comments or a narrative description and we can upload. Photos
are always helpful too. Many of the rivers flow through remote forests and hidden gorges that are
difficult for agency staff to access. A good photo that illustrates the character of the reach
can be particularly helpful in communicating the value and unique attributes of a river reach
that may be difficult for agency planners to personally experience.
3) Attend a Public Mapping Session. The public outreach and mapping session
workshops, also known as charrettes, will provide an opportunity for the public to provide input
related to recreation values, setting character and experiences that are important to the public
in a collaborative and participatory manner. Workshops will run from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
(attend at a time that is convenient) with technical assistance provided by the American Society
of Landscape Architects and National Park Service, Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance
program. More information on the workshops can be found on the planning website and are scheduled as
follows.
* Tuesday, January 29th, BLM District Office, 3040 Biddle Road, Medford, OR
* Wednesday, January 30th, Umpqua Business Center, 522 SE Washington Ave, Roseburg, OR
* Thursday, January 31st, Public Library, 225 North 5th St., Springfield, OR
* Tuesday, February 5th, Mazamas Mountaineering Center, 517 S.E. 43rd, Portland, OR
Rivers Under Review for Wild and Scenic Eligibility by BLM with Identified Whitewater
Resources
South Fork Coquille (Coos Bay), Rogue-Siskiyou National Forest Boundary
downstream to the confluence of the North Fork Coquille River. This includes the take-out for the
Coal Creek Canyon run as well as the run at Powers. American Whitewater River
Inventory Page.
Umpqua River (Roseburg District) (Coos Bay), Confluence of the North Fork Umpqua
River and South Fork Umpqua River downstream to the Pacific Ocean. Moderate rapids and riffles on
this class I/II stretch west of I-5. American Whitewater River
Inventory Page.
Lake Creek (Eugene), Triangle Lake Dam downstream to the confluence with Green
Creek. This includes the Lake Creek Slides but not the play run downstream. American Whitewater River
Inventory Page.
Alsea River (Salem), Confluence of the North and South Forks downstream to the
Siuslaw NF Boundary. Moderate rapids and riffles on this class I/II stretch. American Whitewater River
Inventory Page.
Drift Creek (Salem), Headwaters of Drift Creek downstream to the confluence with
the Alsea River. Backcountry day trip that flows through the Drift Creek Wilderness. American Whitewater River
Inventory Page.
Kilchis River (Salem), Confluence of the North and South Forks of the Kilchis
River downstream to Tillamook Bay. Coastal stream with class II and III whitewater. American Whitewater River
Inventory Page.
Nehalem River (Salem), Headwaters of the Nehalem River downstream to Nehalem
Bay. Good whitewater along the length of this river. American Whitewater River
Inventory Reach 1. American Whitewater River
Inventory Reach 2.
North Fork Siletz River (Salem), Headwaters of the North Fork Siletz River
downstream to the confluence with the South Fork Siletz River. Beautiful run with fun whitewater.
American Whitewater
River Inventory Page.
North Fork Trask River (Salem), Confluence of the North Fork of the North Fork
Trask River and Middle Fork of the North Fork Trask River downstream to the confluence with the
Trask River. Canyon run with II+ whitewater. American Whitewater River
Inventory Page.
Siletz River (Salem), Confluence of the North and South Forks of the Siletz
River downstream to Siletz Bay. Great class III/IV run that includes Silache Rapid and the
beginner runs downstream. American Whitewater River
Inventory Reach 1. American Whitewater River
Inventory Reach 2.
Trask River (Salem), Confluence of the North Fork Trask River and South Fork
Trask River downstream to Tillamook Bay. Class III run. American Whitewater River
Inventory Page.
Wilson River (Salem), Confluence of the North Fork Wilson River downstream to
Tillamook Bay. Two good class III whitewater runs. American Whitewater River
Inventory Reach 1. American Whitewater River
Inventory Reach 2.
Yaquina River (Salem), Headwaters of the Yaquina River downstream to Yaquina
Bay. Class III-IV(V+) whitewater run. American Whitewater River
Inventory Page.
Fall Creek (Eugene), "Fall Creek beginning in T.18S., R.1E., Section 25
downstream to the top of Fall Creek Reservoir. " Class III-IV whitewater down to the
reservoir. American
Whitewater River Inventory Reach 1. American Whitewater River
Inventory Reach 2.
McKenzie River (Eugene), Goodpasture Road Bridge downstream to the confluence
with the Willamette River. This is the class II reach downstream of the Leaburg Dam. American Whitewater River
Inventory Page.
Clackamas River (Salem), Indian Henry Campground downstream to Big Cliff
Reservoir. The classic class III/IV run. American Whitewater River
Inventory Page.
Little North Santiam River (Salem), Willamette National Forest Boundary
downstream to the confluence with the Santiam River. Class II/III whitewater downstream of the
Forest Boundary and the run popularly known as Opal Creek. American Whitewater River
Inventory Reach 1. American Whitewater River
Inventory Reach 2. American Whitewater River
Inventory Reach 3.
Luckiamute River (Salem), Headwaters of the Luckiamute River downstream to the
confluence with the Willamette River. Class III/IV whitewater run. American Whitewater River
Inventory Page.
Middle Santiam River (Salem), Willamette National Forest Boundary downstream to
the top of Green Peter Reservoir. A unique remote wilderness whitewater run with class III/IV
that can be done as an overnight. Requires a paddle out on Green Peter Reservoir. American Whitewater River
Inventory Page.
North Fork Clackamas River (Salem), Headwaters of the North Fork Clackamas River
to the confluence with the Clackamas River. Class IV(V) whitewater in the final 3.75 miles where
the river drops into the North Fork Reservoir. American Whitewater River
Inventory Page.
North Santiam River (Salem). Big Cliff Dam downstream to the confluence with the
South Fork Santiam River. Beautiful section of class III/IV whitewater that includes the notable
rapids at The Narrows and Niagara. American Whitewater River
Inventory Page.
Sandy River (Salem), Mt. Hood National Forest Boundary downstream to Dodge Park.
This section includes the Sandy Gorge with some great class IV whitewater as well as the former
Marmot Dam site. American Whitewater River
Inventory Reach 1. American Whitewater River
Inventory Reach 2. American Whitewater River
Inventory Reach 3.
South Yamhill River (Salem), Confluence of Ead Creek and Pierce Creek downstream
to the confluence with the North Yamhill River. Class II/III whitewater. American Whitewater River
Inventory Page.
Table Rock Fork Mollala River (Salem), Headwaters of the Table Rock Fork Molalla
River downstream to the confluence with the Molalla River. Class III+(IV) whitewater. American Whitewater River
Inventory Page.
Willamette River (Salem), Lane County Line downstream to the confluence with the
Columbia River. Willamette River Water Trail.
Big Butte Creek (Medford), Confluence of the North Fork and South Forks of Big
Butte Creek downstream to the confluence with the Rogue River. Class III/IV run that starts off
with a 15' runnable waterfall. American Whitewater River
Inventory Page.
Cow Creek (Medford), Galesville Reservoir Dam downstream to the confluence with
the South Fork Umpqua River. Class II whitewater. American Whitewater River
Inventory Reach 1. American Whitewater River
Inventory Reach 2.
Rogue River (Medford), Lost Creek Dam downstream to the confluence of the
Applegate River. Several segments along this reach are enjoyed by river runners including the
Nugget Falls run as well as other sections popular with day users. Three dam removals have
reconnected this section of river for the benefit of fish, an action that has also enhanced
river-based recreational opportunities. American Whitewater River
Inventory Reach 1. American Whitewater River
Inventory Reach 2. American Whitewater River
Inventory Reach 3. American Whitewater River
Inventory Reach 4.
South Umpqua (Roseburg), Town of Tiller downstream to the confluence of the
North Fork Umpqua River. Class I/II whitewater. American Whitewater River
Inventory Page.
Umpqua River (Roseburg), Confluence of the North Fork Umpqua River and South
Fork Umpqua River downstream to the Pacific Ocean. American Whitewater River
Inventory Page.
Thomas O'Keefe
3537 NE 87th St.
Seattle, WA 98115
E-mail: okeefe@americanwhitewater.org
Phone: 425-417-9012
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