The Clackamas River is well known as one of the classic whitewater runs of the Pacific Northwest with plenty of great class III intermediate whitewater. In December 2010 Portland General Electric (PGE) was issued a new license for operation of the hydropower project on the river and American Whitewater was a formal participatin in that process advocating for river and fisheries restoration, improved public access to the river, enhanced and expanded gauge information, and a study of a playboating feature to mitigate for lost opportunities and impacts of the project.
When paddlers refer to the Upper Clackamas they mean the waters upstream of North Fork Resevoir which is part of PGE's hydropower facilties on the river. The run from Sandstone Bridge (Three Lynx) down to the Memaloose Weigh Station just above the reservoir makes a great 13.5 mile day trip although many kayakers focus on the 4.2 mile middle section from Fish Creek to Bob's Hole which serves up the best whitewater and some fine playboating. This section is also the site of the annual Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival (downriver, slalom, and head-to-head) that takes place in May every year at Carter Bridge.
The character of the run is mostly pool-drop class III rapids which can develop class IV hydraulics as the river rises during intense winter storms. Good consistent flows are available throughout the winter with rain and into spring as snowmelt. The river drops low in the summer but can still be enjoyed as a technical boating experience and a wonderful escape into the National Forest just an hour from downtown Portland. With Highway 224 running along the entire length of this run road scouting is easy and the road itself provides only a minimal intrusion to what is an incredible scenic journey along a forested river. Several Forest Service campgrounds, particularly in the area of Carter Bridge, make this a great weekend destination and you can build your own adventure by exploring upstream sections of the Clackamas or any of the many tributaries.
The run starts out at the Sandstone Bridge which is upstream of the Three Lynx Powerhouse. Powerhouse is a significant rapid upstream of the powerhouse which is located on river right and typically adds another shot of water to the river.
As you pass beneath the Three Lynx Bridge the river continues on with more fun class II and III and you soon reach the Narrows where the river is squeezed within a mini basalt gorge. Downstream of the gorge is Hole in the Wall Access, a good alternate put-in for a shorter run particularly at the lower range of flows. The next significant rapid is Hole-in-the-Wall where the river slams up against the bedrock wall on river left. There have been accidents here as boaters became trapped in the recirculating current up against the wall so be sure to stay right. The road is above this rapid on river right and it's worth taking a look on the way to the put-in if you have any questions regarding the preferred line.
You will soon come to pass under another bridge and see the Fish Creek boat slide on river left. This is another alternate access point. After a couple class II rapids you will come to one of the bigger drops on the run which is Carter Bridge Rapid. This rapid is upstream of the Carter Bridge and it also the site of annual races held as part of the Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival.
After Carter Bridge the river passes through a couple more class II rapids including Slingshot before the river pools up at Big Eddy. Just below Big Eddy is Rock 'n Roll and then comes Toilet Bowl which is the last of the significant drops on the run and one of the few not easily visible from the road.
As you see the road along river right, you're be at Bob's Hole. Line up on river left for you chance to surf this feature. Bob's Hole is at one of those sites along the river that is subject to change with floods and each year you can expect it to be a little different. It changed significantly in the 1996 floods and will likely change again. Many kayakers enjoy the playboating at Bob's Hole and it has been a park and play spot but most continue on downstream to Moore Creek Access which is a good take-out option. You can also put-in here or continue through the easier class II float of a couple miles down to the Memaloose Weigh Station. As the river passes the weigh station it settles in behind the slackwaters of the reservoir where Promatory Park offers a final take-out option.
Logistics
The Clackamas is reached by taking Highway 224 east out of Portland and this run is a short distance east from Estacada. The highway runs along the river providing a number of options for easy roadside access for this section of the Upper Clackamas. Although you can come up with alternatives to the options below and scramble down at any of a number of places along the river, the primary access points are designated by Highway 224 mile marker as follows:
Additional Information
See the Upper Clackamas page on Rackley's Oregon Kayaking site.
A fun rapid just upstream of the Three Lynx Powerhouse that can get a little boney as flows drop. You typically get more water as you pass the powerhouse at the downstream end of this rapid.
One of the more beautiful spots on the river where basalt walls on either side constrict the river as it flows through a short gorge.
This access has a restroom facility and a good launch with raft slide. It is maintained by PGE. If the raft slide is congested, kayaks have the option of hiking a short trail at the downstream end of the site (near the entrance) to access an alternate launch site.
This rapid can develop a recirculating eddy on river left as flows increase that has caused trouble for many. Run right and stay away from the wall to avoid. Check it out on the shuttle and if you have doubts you can always put-in downstream at Fish Creek Access.
For many years this was the traditional intermediate access point with restroom and raft slide. This site is maintained by the Forest Service.
A fun rapid and the site of many of the competitions for the Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival. The main flow is down the left which is generally the preferred line. Beware of the ledge to the right side of the rapid which comes in play as flows increase.
Run down the middle through the big waves.
Short plunge at the outlet of Big Eddy.
The last major rapid on the run with some big waves that can be a lot of fun.
In the heyday of whitewater rodeo, this was a popular playspot and the site of Bob's Hole Rodeo. The feature has changed over the years but it is still good fun for playboating.
The Moore Creek Access is an ideal take-out with changing rooms and restroom facilities maintained by PGE. A wide switchback path is available for rafts and a steeper more direct route from the river is available for kayakers. This can also be used as a put-in for those looking for a beginner float.
The old log scaling station was a busy place during the days of intense logging on federal forests. Today the site is used as a meeting place for boating groups, the last good take-out before you hit flatwater and a decent river access point.
Nice job Tom!!!
4 weeks ago
by Thomas O'Keefe
Evaluation of regional demand for whitewater kayaking in the greater Portland area.
Evaluation of flows and whitewater recreation on the Three Lynx Reach and Bob's Hole on the Clackamas River.
Section of the Recreation Plan that covers whitewater recreation as part of the Settlement Agreement for the Clackamas River Hydroelectric Project.
Management Plan and Environmental Assessment for the Clackamas Wild and Scenic River and State Scenic Waterway.
Whitewater Recreation Map of the Wild and Scenic Upper Clackamas River
Comprehensive study to determine if water recreation assets are being used to their greatest economic potential in Clackamas County.
Letter to Forest Supervisor Periman requesting reopening of day-use sites on the Clackamas Wild and Scenic River.
As part of the reclicensing of the hydroprojects on this river, Confluence Research conducted a series of studies on the impacts of different flows on recreational boating. The studies showed that low flow boating was marginal at about 550 cfs. At this lower end of the range even small increases of 50 cfs make a difference in the quality of the run. Optimal flows for a low-flow technical boating experience are from 700 to 1200 cfs. Standard boating opportunities are optimal from 1,500 to about 3,000 cfs with Bob's Hole in the optimal range of 1700 to 2500 cfs. High challenge trips are optimal from 4,000 cfs to 10,000 cfs, depending upon boater craft and skill levels.
Permits are not required for this reach.
45.113998 ,-122.073997
45.223999 ,-122.247002
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We have no additional detail on this route. Use the map below to calculate how to arrive to the main town from your zipcode.
Upper Clackamas
Raft on Hole in the Wall
Carter Bridge Rapid
Sandstone Bridge Access
Fish Creek Access
Carter Bridge Rip Rap
Carter Bridge Festival Site
Carter Bridge Access
Trailer Parking at Hole in the Wall
Commercial Trip at Hole in the Wall
Sandstone Bridge Sign
Sandstone Bridge Beach
Hole in the Wall Sign
Hole in the Wall Parking
Hole in the Wall Stair
Hole in the Wall Access Site
Moore Creek Access Site
Moore Creek Sign
Moore Creek Access Commercial Group
Moore Creek Access
Moore Creek Kayaker Trail
Clackamas River Signage
Clackamas River Whitewater Map
Hole in the Wall Access
Big Air - Aerial Trick Competition
Boatercross
The Narrows Entrance
The Narrows
Hole in the Wall
Powerhouse Rapid
Hole in the Wall Access Parking
Hole in the Wall Access Unloading boats
Hole in the Wall Access Boat Launch
Hole in the Wall Access Ribbon Cutting
Hole in the Wall Access Sign
Hole in the Wall Access Steps
Carter Bridge
Fish Creek Raft Launch
Clackamas River
PGE Powerhouse
Toilet Bowl
Raft Rodeo
Paddle Raft slalom
Val's Volleyball
Bob's Hole
Bob's Hole Parking
Carter Bridge Head to Head Race
Riverboarding Carter Falls 1
River boarding Carter Falls 2
If someone gets hurt on a river, or you read about a whitewater-related injury, please report it to American Whitewater. Don't worry about multiple submissions from other witnesses, as our safety editors will turn multiple witness reports into a single unified accident report.
This week, Oregon House Bill 2835 re-passed the Oregon House on a 52-7 vote. Having earlier cleared the Senate, the bill now awaits a signature from the Governor to be signed into law. For decades, opportunities to protect and improve the ability of the public to access and legally use waterways for recreation have seen minimal progress, while efforts to severely limit access have been a consistent threat. Oregon House Bill 2835 is a pivotal piece of legislation in Oregon, and the first proactive waterway access bill in recent history to have made it through the state legislature.
As a part of Portland General Electric’s (PGE) license for its hydroelectric project along the Clackamas River, PGE follows a Recreation Resource Management Plan that directs the Company towards recreation projects along the Clackamas. PGE is currently seeking feedback from the whitewater community on the flow resources along the Upper Clackamas River through a short 8 question online survey.
As our volunteers of the month, we wish to recognize Luke Spencer and Pete Giordano who spent countless hours in meetings and site visits to make new improved access to the Clackamas River a reality. In recognition of Luke's and Pete's efforts, they will each receive a custom Kokatat X-Jacket, thanks to Kokatat's support of AW's Volunteer of the Month award.Thank you Luke and Pete!
Come on out for the 10th Annual Down the River Clean Up on the Clackamas Sunday, September 9th! Whether you bring your own boat, grab a seat in a raft or help out on land, there's an opportunity for everyone to help clean up the Clackamas. Registration is required - read more for details!
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