4. Lower: Military StretchClass II-III
4 Miles
Avg Gradient 36 fpm
River DescriptionPut-InEagle 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 “the 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
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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. User Comments |
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2005-04-29 02:56:37 (1162 days ago)
Todd Kelsey
This was recently posted to the KCK listserve:<br />
<br />
I went to Fort Richardson today to do the paperwork for Eagle River rafting<br />
this season. Different location, different paperwork. Here is what I<br />
found.<br />
<br />
The "Eagle River Boating License" is no more. The $5 fee is gone. No need<br />
to go to building 794. Everything is done at the front gate. No need to be<br />
a KCK member.<br />
<br />
The new paperwork is "USAG-AK RECREATIONAL ACCESS PERMIT" combined with<br />
"Fort Richardson USARTRAK" system -- which allows the recreational user to<br />
check in and check out by phone and keeps us informed about base closures.<br />
The access permit is free. It is good for two years.<br />
<br />
Hours to obtain an access permit are 8 to 11 a.m. or 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays<br />
and Thursdays, at the Fort Richardson main gate.<br />
<br />
It looks like each day you plan to boat the river will require a phone call<br />
to an automated system, entering your permit number, enter number in group,<br />
selecting an area, an activity, checking range closures, entering areas you<br />
will visit. That's to check in. Check out is another phone call and<br />
entering your permit number. A colorful flyer explains all this and gives<br />
a sample phone menu. It might even work. The phone system currently has a<br />
long pause before it gives the next option -- they are trying to speed it<br />
up.<br />
<br />
As always, a "U.S. ARMY ALASKA VISITOR/VEHICLE PASS" is required to drive<br />
onto Fort Richardson to the take-out point. This requires a driver's<br />
license, vehicle registration, IM certificate, and insurance card. This is<br />
a single-day pass, so you will have to do this every time.<br />
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No rapids entered. If you know names, and locations of the rapids please contact and advise the StreamTeam member for this run. 
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