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Big Butte Creek, OR

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Butte Falls to Netherlands Rd

Class III-IV
9.5 Miles
Avg Gradient 65 fpm

Run it on the right


Run it on the right
Photo by Big Butte Falls

Gauge Information

Big Butte Creek
low
55
7/25 14:30

Min Sug. Level:  500 cfs Max Sug. Level:  800 cfs

River Description

This run is fast, narrow, and shallow. It features a 15 ft. runnable waterfall, a few nice boulder gardens, many logs to go under and over, and a chance to slither between cabbage size boulders until you think your paddle and boat won't take any more. Most of the run is class II-III, but the last rapid is a full class IV which cannot be portaged and is difficult to boat scout. Cobleigh bridge provides access three miles into the run.

Description:

This run starts with a bang; The 15 ft. waterfall is runnable on the right. Put in above the fall or below the diversion dam a few hundred yards downstream. The first few miles are narrow and brushy in places and always shallow. Some logs may have to be dealt with on the fly. About a mile from the put-in the north fork comes in on the right and adds another 50 per cent to the flow. Occasional basalt cliffs provide scenery and rocks for two or three nice boulder gardens.

After three miles, Cobleigh bridge provides a poor take-out (or put-in).

The creek continues to slow, widen, and after miles of cow pasture convince you that it's all over -- 'it' shappens. Slowly the banks steepen, the river steepens and narrows, and just when you think it might get serious ahead, you realize you can't portage and eddies are scarce. After the first plunge things slow down a bit; Stop in the middle of this boulder garden and catch your breath. Hidden behind the rocks below is a full river sweeper. If you move now, all the way river right, you can slip around the roots and save ferrying in front of it later. After miles of cow pasture again convince you that it's all over, you come to the best play waves on the run. Immediately below is a full river ledge. At low water you can play with the stopper. At medium and high water it will play with you. Sneak (squeeze) hard left. Get out at the next bridge.

You can continue about three more miles of ever flattening water to Casey State Park on the Rogue and take out there (watch out for the water fall).

Shuttle: Road Map

To get to the take-out: Go north on Oregon State Highway 62 East [sic] past Casey State Park (a possible take-out). Cross the bridge over the Rogue and turn right on Crowfoot Road. You may wish to stop and park some vehicles here and organize your shuttle as parking is limited at the preferred take-out. Go up Crowfoot 2.5 miles and turn left on Netherlands Road. Go down to the creek and park upstream river left.

To get to the put-in: Continue up and down Crowfoot to the end. Turn left on the unnamed road (Butte Falls Highway) toward Butte Falls. On the way you will pass Cobleigh Road. A left turn here will take you to the access under the bridge. Continuing on toward Butte Falls, just before entering town, turn left on Falls Road (Recycling Center). Pass the sewage pond and go down the dirt road to the picnic area and overlook. Both put-ins are here.

StreamTeam Status: verified
Last Updated: 2002-04-23 22:32:54

Search Results

Photos/Videos 1- of 7

Run it on the right


Run it on the right  Big Butte Creek OR
(11.16KB .jpeg)

Put In Here


Put In Here  Big Butte Creek OR
(14.58KB .jpeg)

Typical Creek


Typical Creek  Big Butte Creek OR
(20.60KB .jpeg)

Log Jam


Log Jam  Big Butte Creek OR
(21.58KB .jpeg)

Basalt Cliffs


Basalt Cliffs  Big Butte Creek OR
(22.04KB .jpeg)

Typical Drop


Typical Drop  Big Butte Creek OR
(24.85KB .jpeg)

Road Map to Butte Falls


Road Map to Butte Falls  Big Butte Creek OR
(51.19KB .jpeg)

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Gauge

Gauge Description:



The gauge is below the bottom of the run. If the top is to boney, the bottom is just right. The most difficult drop is near the bottom, so . . .

BIG BUTTE CREEK NEAR MCLEOD,OREG. [ OR ]

Current Conditions

Stage Flow Updated
2.86 55 7/25 14:30

Station Graphs


Linked Reaches

Search Results

Level Legend: Running Below Minimum Recommended Flow Above Maximum Recommended Flow Unknown
Descriptions of reaches with River Name in bold have been verified by a regional StreamTeam member.

State River Name/Section Class Level Rel. Level Updated
OR Big Butte Creek— Butte Falls to Netherlands Rd III-IV 55 cfs   low 7/25 14:30

Station Description

AW Gauge ID:6806
USGS Station:14337500
HUC:
Latitude:
Longitude:
Class:

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Guidebooks



Soggy Sneakers: A Guide to Oregon Rivers
$13.27

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