Nehalem
4) Salmonberry to Nehalem Falls
| Difficulty | III |
| Length | 7.1 mi |
| Avg Gradient | n/a |
| Gauge | Nehalem River Near Foss, or |
| Flow Rate as of 45 minutes | 216 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | May 7, 2024 |
This section is similar in character to the section just upstream, with a slight bump up in whitewater difficulty. The two sections are sometimes run as one longer continuous run (Soggy Sneakers lists this as one 14.6 miles run). The Foss Road bridge across the Salmonberry washed out in a 2007 storm meaning you could only approach the run from the coast side before the bridge was repaired and opened to traffice in May 2012.
A short distance downstream of the Salmonberry confluence you will encounter Salmoberry Drop, the most signficant drop before Nehalem Falls at the end. The hole in this rapid can flip boats and it is worth a scout. There are more class III rapids as you continue downstream.
At the end of the run you can take out above Nehalem Falls or run it to finish out the day. It's not a true waterfall but heavy class IV hydraulics form as the flows increase.
Access point where the Salmonberry joins the Nehalem River.
Run the falls on river left or sneak around on far river right. Located at USGS River Mile 15.5.
Access the river at Nehalem Falls and take-out either upstream or downstream of the falls depending on whether you plan to run it.