BLM Resource Planning Underway for Western Oregon

As a first step in the planning process, the BLM is conducting a survey of users to gain a better understanding of recreational use and public values. It is important for the whitewater paddling community to participate in this process and identify river-based recreational resources of regional significance. The survey includes the rivers below that American Whitewater has preliminarily identified as having value for whitewater recreation. We will be conducting a more complete inventory and analysis and you can help in one of a couple ways:

 

1) Take the survey on the BLM website. Note that the first survey focuses on rivers and the second survey focuses on general recreation sites, many of which represent key access points or day-use sites along rivers. Comments must be submitted by Feb. 18, 2013.

 

Western Oregon BLM River Survey

 

Western Oregon BLM Recreation Sites Survey

 

2) Help us fill out our database. You will note that several of our pages for the river segments lack a description or photo. If you have information to add, the easiest way to do so is to make a comment (any registered user can make a comment). Alternatively, active members can be granted permission to edit reach descriptions (let us know if you are interested). Finally, you can just email us some comments or a narrative description and we can upload. Photos are always helpful too. Many of the rivers flow through remote forests and hidden gorges that are difficult for agency staff to access. A good photo that illustrates the character of the reach can be particularly helpful in communicating the value and unique attributes of a river reach that may be difficult for agency planners to personally experience.

 

3) Attend a Public Mapping Session. The public outreach and mapping session workshops, also known as charrettes, will provide an opportunity for the public to provide input related to recreation values, setting character and experiences that are important to the public in a collaborative and participatory manner. Workshops will run from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (attend at a time that is convenient) with technical assistance provided by the American Society of Landscape Architects and National Park Service, Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program. More information on the workshops can be found on the planning website and are scheduled as follows.

 

 

Rivers Under Review for Wild and Scenic Eligibility by BLM with Identified Whitewater Resources

 

South Fork Coquille (Coos Bay), Rogue-Siskiyou National Forest Boundary downstream to the confluence of the North Fork Coquille River. This includes the take-out for the Coal Creek Canyon run as well as the run at Powers. American Whitewater River Inventory Page.

 

Umpqua River (Roseburg District) (Coos Bay), Confluence of the North Fork Umpqua River and South Fork Umpqua River downstream to the Pacific Ocean. Moderate rapids and riffles on this class I/II stretch west of I-5. American Whitewater River Inventory Page.

 

Lake Creek (Eugene), Triangle Lake Dam downstream to the confluence with Green Creek. This includes the Lake Creek Slides but not the play run downstream. American Whitewater River Inventory Page.

 

Alsea River (Salem), Confluence of the North and South Forks downstream to the Siuslaw NF Boundary. Moderate rapids and riffles on this class I/II stretch. American Whitewater River Inventory Page.

 

Drift Creek (Salem), Headwaters of Drift Creek downstream to the confluence with the Alsea River. Backcountry day trip that flows through the Drift Creek Wilderness. American Whitewater River Inventory Page. 

 

Kilchis River (Salem), Confluence of the North and South Forks of the Kilchis River downstream to Tillamook Bay. Coastal stream with class II and III whitewater. American Whitewater River Inventory Page.

 

Nehalem River (Salem), Headwaters of the Nehalem River downstream to Nehalem Bay. Good whitewater along the length of this river. American Whitewater River Inventory Reach 1. American Whitewater River Inventory Reach 2.

 

North Fork Siletz River (Salem), Headwaters of the North Fork Siletz River downstream to the confluence with the South Fork Siletz River. Beautiful run with fun whitewater. American Whitewater River Inventory Page. 

 

North Fork Trask River (Salem), Confluence of the North Fork of the North Fork Trask River and Middle Fork of the North Fork Trask River downstream to the confluence with the Trask River. Canyon run with II+ whitewater. American Whitewater River Inventory Page.

 

Siletz River (Salem), Confluence of the North and South Forks of the Siletz River downstream to Siletz Bay. Great class III/IV run that includes Silache Rapid and the beginner runs downstream. American Whitewater River Inventory Reach 1. American Whitewater River Inventory Reach 2.

 

Trask River (Salem), Confluence of the North Fork Trask River and South Fork Trask River downstream to Tillamook Bay. Class III run. American Whitewater River Inventory Page.

 

Wilson River (Salem), Confluence of the North Fork Wilson River downstream to Tillamook Bay. Two good class III whitewater runs. American Whitewater River Inventory Reach 1. American Whitewater River Inventory Reach 2.

 

Yaquina River (Salem), Headwaters of the Yaquina River downstream to Yaquina Bay. Class III-IV(V+) whitewater run. American Whitewater River Inventory Page.

 

Fall Creek (Eugene), "Fall Creek beginning in T.18S., R.1E., Section 25 downstream to the top of Fall Creek Reservoir. " Class III-IV whitewater down to the reservoir. American Whitewater River Inventory Reach 1. American Whitewater River Inventory Reach 2.

 

McKenzie River (Eugene), Goodpasture Road Bridge downstream to the confluence with the Willamette River. This is the class II reach downstream of the Leaburg Dam. American Whitewater River Inventory Page.

 

Clackamas River (Salem), Indian Henry Campground downstream to Big Cliff Reservoir. The classic class III/IV run. American Whitewater River Inventory Page.

 

Little North Santiam River (Salem), Willamette National Forest Boundary downstream to the confluence with the Santiam River. Class II/III whitewater downstream of the Forest Boundary and the run popularly known as Opal Creek. American Whitewater River Inventory Reach 1. American Whitewater River Inventory Reach 2. American Whitewater River Inventory Reach 3.

 

Luckiamute River (Salem), Headwaters of the Luckiamute River downstream to the confluence with the Willamette River. Class III/IV whitewater run. American Whitewater River Inventory Page.

 

Middle Santiam River (Salem), Willamette National Forest Boundary downstream to the top of Green Peter Reservoir. A unique remote wilderness whitewater run with class III/IV that can be done as an overnight. Requires a paddle out on Green Peter Reservoir. American Whitewater River Inventory Page.

 

North Fork Clackamas River (Salem), Headwaters of the North Fork Clackamas River to the confluence with the Clackamas River. Class IV(V) whitewater in the final 3.75 miles where the river drops into the North Fork Reservoir. American Whitewater River Inventory Page.

 

North Santiam River (Salem). Big Cliff Dam downstream to the confluence with the South Fork Santiam River. Beautiful section of class III/IV whitewater that includes the notable rapids at The Narrows and Niagara. American Whitewater River Inventory Page.

 

Sandy River (Salem), Mt. Hood National Forest Boundary downstream to Dodge Park. This section includes the Sandy Gorge with some great class IV whitewater as well as the former Marmot Dam site. American Whitewater River Inventory Reach 1. American Whitewater River Inventory Reach 2. American Whitewater River Inventory Reach 3.

 

South Yamhill River (Salem), Confluence of Ead Creek and Pierce Creek downstream to the confluence with the North Yamhill River. Class II/III whitewater. American Whitewater River Inventory Page.

 

Table Rock Fork Mollala River (Salem), Headwaters of the Table Rock Fork Molalla River downstream to the confluence with the Molalla River. Class III+(IV) whitewater. American Whitewater River Inventory Page.

 

Willamette River (Salem), Lane County Line downstream to the confluence with the Columbia River. Willamette River Water Trail.

 

Big Butte Creek (Medford), Confluence of the North Fork and South Forks of Big Butte Creek downstream to the confluence with the Rogue River. Class III/IV run that starts off with a 15' runnable waterfall. American Whitewater River Inventory Page.

 

Cow Creek (Medford), Galesville Reservoir Dam downstream to the confluence with the South Fork Umpqua River. Class II whitewater. American Whitewater River Inventory Reach 1. American Whitewater River Inventory Reach 2.

 

Rogue River (Medford), Lost Creek Dam downstream to the confluence of the Applegate River. Several segments along this reach are enjoyed by river runners including the Nugget Falls run as well as other sections popular with day users. Three dam removals have reconnected this section of river for the benefit of fish, an action that has also enhanced river-based recreational opportunities. American Whitewater River Inventory Reach 1. American Whitewater River Inventory Reach 2. American Whitewater River Inventory Reach 3. American Whitewater River Inventory Reach 4.

 

South Umpqua (Roseburg), Town of Tiller downstream to the confluence of the North Fork Umpqua River. Class I/II whitewater. American Whitewater River Inventory Page.

 

Umpqua River (Roseburg), Confluence of the North Fork Umpqua River and South Fork Umpqua River downstream to the Pacific Ocean. American Whitewater River Inventory Page.