Santiam, N.

This is a beautiful section of river just downstream of Big Cliff Dam with two rapids of note. The Narrows is encountered within the first mile and can be scouted on river right. Niagara is a narrow slot further downstream that can be scouted from Niagara County Park. Just prior to the take-out the river pours over a hazardous fish collection dam that can be portaged on the right.

At the put in are some slalom gates that can be lowered if paddlers want to practice on them, please take the time to put them back up when done.  Class II rapids are encountered downstream, with small features to look for if you want to spice things up.  About a mile below the put in is a long class III rapid that is a noticeable step above what has come before.  This rapid can be spiced up with some fun moves created by the larger boulders by those who are looking to get more of a challenge.  This long rapid ends with a small river-wide hole and enters a moving pool with a generous eddy on the right for those in control.

This moving pool empties into the Narrows, the largest rapid of the run during the Summer (at Winter Flows Niagara is larger).  This rapid is easiest to scout and portage on the right.  While the turbulent hydraulics are intimidating, this rapid has been called 'the quintessential class IV rapid' and at Summer flows doesn't pose many hazards (at Winter flows the left wall at the bottom is of concern).   More than one line exists so take a look and decide if the rapid is for you.

Downstream the class II continues, this is a good run for slicey river-runner boats with lots of splat rocks and fun eddy-lines.

Eventually the river builds to class III again and a large wall is visible downstream at the entrance to Niagara.  The class III lead in rapid weaves between boulders and has numerous routes to choose from before the river is forced left by the wall.  There is again a generous eddy on the left for paddlers in control.

The crux move in Ni

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