There are three mainstem dams on the Rogue River between Lost Creek Reservoir and Grants Pass along with the partially completed dam on Elk Creek. Although this section of the Rogue is not as well known to paddlers as the world-famous Wild and Scenic section downstream, removal of the dams will improve fish passage and navigability greatly enhancing the quality of this river as a recreational resource.

Heading downstream the first dam is Gold Ray Dam. This dam was originally constructed for hydropower but generation ceased in 1972 after the project was determined to no longer be cost effective. As reported in a July 20th, 2007 editorial in the Medford Mail Tribune: The Rogue River is a jewel in our midst. Removing a dam that serves no real purpose seems like an obvious step toward making that jewel shine even more brightly.

The next dam downstream if the Gold Hill Dam, a municipal water diversion scheduled for removal from Aug. 15 - Oct. 15 2008. The city completed a new water intake facility upstream of the dam in May of 2006 making the old diversion dam no longer necessary.

The biggest barrier to fish migration has been the Savage Rapids Dam which is operated by the Grants Pass Irrigation District. In July 2001 parties came to an agreement to suspend litigation and focus on a plan to remove the Savage Rapids Dam and install pumps that will provide the irrigation district with the water it needs. The contract to remove the dam was issued in August 2006 and work was soon underway to construct the new pumping station. The project is scheduled to be completed with removal of the dam by December 2009.

In addition to these dams on the mainstem Rogue, there is a partially completed dam on Elk Creek a major tributary on this section. Construction on this Army Corps of Engineers flood control dam began in 1986. Construction stopped in 1988 with approximately 1/3 of the dam completed. The decision to discontinue work on this dam was the result of litigation and additional studies that demonstrated the dam did not make economic sense and would have significant impacts on salmon. Now salmon are trucked around the dam site but proposals have been made to notch the dam and provide unhindered fish passage.

The Rogue was one of the original eight rivers included in the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act of 1968. The 84 mile Wild and Scenic section begins 7 miles west of Grants Pass and ends 11 miles upstream of Gold Beach where the river joins the Pacific Ocean. On it’s journey through the the Coast Range, the Rogue flows through one of the most spectacular and biologically unique wilderness areas in the United States. Those lucky enough to obtain a permit can enjoy one of the best whitewater runs in the country with world-class fishing opportunities. Only part of this section is protected through the Wilderness Act and Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. Large areas within the valley of the river that are currently roadless are open to logging, mining, and road building. Now is the time to protect these roadless areas that define the wilderness experience of the Rogue River. To learn more about this effort visit Save the Wild Rogue.

• River Management: From time to time other issues come up on this river. River managers have floated ideas for a campsite reservation system that has generally received a cool response from recreational river runners.
• Navigability: The state is in the process of conducting a navigability determination for the Rogue River.
• Jet Boat Use: The lower reaches of the Wild and Scenic section see jet boat use by the “mail boat” and downstream of Foster Bar one can expect to encounter quite a few private jet boats. This lowest section of the river has been the site of an annual jet boat race.