Bull Run, OR

Gauge Information

River Description

The Bull Run has served as a short but fun class III training ground for local paddlers for many years. You can have a good time just working the rapid at the put-in or head down the short run to Dodge Park. Because flow from the Sandy River is diverted to the powerhouse which is located at the put-in, this run receives enhanced flows that extend the season. This has also made the powerhouse a popular training site where slalom paddlers have a permanent course and host an annual race.

The hydropower facility is scheduled to be decommissioned in 2007 and with it supplemental flows will no longer be provided. The Bull Run's loss will be the Sandy River's gain though as the water will no longer be diverted from the Sandy providing more consistent and higher flows in that river.

Continuing downstream from the powerhouse you will find half a dozen class III rapids spread out over the 2.5 miles down to Dodge Park. There are good recovery sections between each of the rapids. One can't help but wonder what lies upstream of the put-in but this section of the river is restricted access as it provides the City of Portland with municipal drinking water.