Accident Database

Report ID#69320

2002-04-14
accident date
Joseph Moore
victim
29
victim age
Molalla
river
Table Rock Fork to Glen Avon Bridge
section
Papa Bear Rapid
location
6500 cfs
gage
High
water level
IV
river difficulty
Flush Drowning
cause code(s)
Does not Apply
injury type(s)
High Water
factors
Private
trip type
Raft
boat type
status?
status

Description

On April 14th Joseph Moore, 25, fell out of his raft near “Papa Bear,” a rapid on Oregon’s Molalla River. This Class IV run is about 30 miles south of Portland. That day the river crested at 6500 cfs, three times the maximum flow recommended in the “Soggy Sneakers” guide. The rapids were huge and pushy. One paddler who saw the group said that their rafts looked pretty small for water that big. Another person saw them scouting a rapid while drinking beer. Their raft was last seen floating upright some distance down river. The cooler was open and beer could be seen inside. Rescuers searched the area for the rest of the day without finding the man.