Eagle,
|
|
4. Lower: Military Stretch
| Usual Difficulty |
II-III (may vary with level) |
| Length |
4 Miles |
| Avg. Gradient |
36 fpm |
River Description
Put-In
Eagle River campground on river left, 100 yards above the Glenn Highway Bridge.
(Exit Glenn Highway at Hiland Road/Eagle River Loop Road, drive straight across the intersection,
and follow the road 2 miles to the campground. Note that there is a day parking fee of $5 and that
the gates close at 10pm.)
Or, ask a local about Âthe free side take-out.
Take-Out
Bravo Bridge on Elmendorf Air Force Base.
Permits from the Military are required to float this stretch. The local paddling club, the Knik
Canoers and Kayakers
KCK works with the base to establish access.
The requirements and type of permit changes yearly. As of 2004, you must be a KCK member to gain a
permit. Pick up a road map when you pick up your permit.
Description
The Military section of Eagle River is a good after work option for Anchorage area boaters. It
offers a long paddling season (from April to October), good on-the-fly surfing, and a good play
hole. The rapids are more continuous than the
'Bridge to Bridge' stretch, but more mild than
Campground. Wood is always an issue, and tends to accumulate around blind corners below
islands and along the banks. High water makes for fun wave trains and some large scattered holes.
At low water, more rocks appear, and the river slows down. Times down the river vary from less than
1.5 hours for rafts at high water to 4 hours for playing kayakers.
Passing under the Glenn Highway Bridge, the river takes a large curve to the right, leading to wave
trains which continue for about 2 miles. Around a right hand corner (where the first bridge becomes
visible), a series of large waves form at high water offering eddy service from the left side, and
shallow beach service from the right. Just below this, under the bridge, the left side of the river
is taken up by a good hole with good eddy service on the left. Between this bridge and the railroad
bridge about 0.5 miles below, the rapids increase about ½ step in difficulty. The river then eases
until a sign on the left bank announces the Bravo Bridge take out.
Additional Information
StreamTeam Status: Verified
Last Updated: 2005-12-28 18:32:49
Editors
No guide books for this stream. If you know of a book that describes this stream please contact and advise the StreamTeam member for this run. 
River Alert
User Comments
I went to Fort Richardson today to do the paperwork for Eagle River rafting
this season. Different location, different paperwork. Here is what I
found.
The "Eagle River Boating License" is no more. The $5 fee is gone. No need
to go to building 794. Everything is done at the front gate. No need to be
a KCK member.
The new paperwork is "USAG-AK RECREATIONAL ACCESS PERMIT" combined with
"Fort Richardson USARTRAK" system -- which allows the recreational user to
check in and check out by phone and keeps us informed about base closures.
The access permit is free. It is good for two years.
Hours to obtain an access permit are 8 to 11 a.m. or 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays
and Thursdays, at the Fort Richardson main gate.
It looks like each day you plan to boat the river will require a phone call
to an automated system, entering your permit number, enter number in group,
selecting an area, an activity, checking range closures, entering areas you
will visit. That's to check in. Check out is another phone call and
entering your permit number. A colorful flyer explains all this and gives
a sample phone menu. It might even work. The phone system currently has a
long pause before it gives the next option -- they are trying to speed it
up.
As always, a "U.S. ARMY ALASKA VISITOR/VEHICLE PASS" is required to drive
onto Fort Richardson to the take-out point. This requires a driver's
license, vehicle registration, IM certificate, and insurance card. This is
a single-day pass, so you will have to do this every time.