Deschutes

05. Dillon Falls to Aspen

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DifficultyIV+
Length1.3 mi
Avg Gradientn/a
GaugeDeschutes River at Benham Falls, or
Flow Rate as of 7 hours
1610 cfsrunnable
Reach Info Last UpdatedMay 23, 2018

River Description

This run is really just one rapid. Dillon Falls consists of a 10-12 foot ledge that leads immediately into a 1/4 mile long canyon. Dillon is runnable year round, but the lines on the falls itself vary widely depending on the water level.

At winter flows (500 to 1100 cfs) the normal line on the falls is far right. After a tricky entry you ride down a narrow shelf and off a 6 foot auto-boof.  It's a tough line to nail. Lots of boaters fall off the left side of the flake into the horseshoe, but nobody seems to actually get stuck. A boof line on the far left is also an option. This line is easier to hit, but the consequence is higher, because of a rock shelf that you could potentially land on.

At summer flows (1700 and up) the line is far left, boofing one of 3 fingers on the shelf. In between levels can be the most difficult levels for the falls. The right line closes out, due to a large hole in the lead in. The left line has a small margin for error, because the shelf does not yet have enough water flowing over it.

Immediately after the falls is the river-wide 'Dill Hole'. This one deserves your respect at all levels. It is biggest in the center of the river. At low water, you can avoid the hole far right, sub out through the far left, or boof it down the middle. If you choose to take the hole on, it is a boof or swim situation. Many boaters have taken major beatdowns in Dill Hole and it has definitely caused its fair share of swims. At high water, a seam develops on the far left. Not as many people get stuck at high water, but it still flips a high percentage of paddlers.

After the Dill Hole, the canyon continues for a few hundred yards. At low water, it is read and run class IV. At high water, it is a rowdy big water slalom, moving left, right, and back to the left to avoid 3 big holes.

Dillon Falls at summer flows: https://vimeo.com/70447219

Dillon and Lava at winter flows: 

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River Features

Dillon Falls Day Use Area Put In

Distance: 0 mi
Dillon Falls Day Use Area Put In

Recreation fee site administered by Deschutes National Forest with boat ramp, toilet, and picnic tables. This is primarily managed as a take-out for those paddling the reach upstream who want to exit the river before Dillon Falls.

Dillon Falls

Class: IV+Distance: 0.18 mi
Waterfall / Large Drop
Dillon Falls

One rapid on this short stretch that can be scouted from the river left bank.

Aspen Day Use Area Take Out

Distance: 1.28 mi
Take Out
Aspen Day Use Area Take Out

Recreation fee site administered by Deschutes National Forest with boat ramp, toilet, and picnic tables. This site is primarily managed as a put-in for those headed downstream from this point.


MD
Matt Deacon

Oct 11, 2013


Dillon Falls from downstream. Dill Hole is in the foreground.

MD
Matt Deacon

Oct 11, 2013


Mark with a perfect line down the right side. This is a tricky line to run cleanly. Its really easy to fall off to the left, but it's not as bad as it looks.

MD
Matt Deacon

Jul 20, 2013


Rafting Dillon

MD
Matt Deacon

Mar 30, 2013


Trevor Lyden hitting the right side boof at winter flows, around 1000 cfs.

MD
Matt Deacon

Mar 30, 2013


Scott Baker with a big boof on the left line at low water.

MD
Matt Deacon

Mar 30, 2013


Dill Hole- winter flows

MD
Matt Deacon

Feb 16, 2013


Right side Dillon- around 1100 cfs

MD
Matt Deacon

Aug 20, 2011


Left Side Dillon at High Water

MD
Matt Deacon

Aug 20, 2011


Leftside Dillon at high water