This section of river is a bypass reach for the Eugene Water & Electric Boards Carmen-Smith Hydroelectric Plant. Whitewater resources are currently being examined by Confluence Research in partnership with the utility, American Whitewater, and local volunteers.
Tamolitch Falls separates the Upper Carmen and Lower Carmen reaches on this section and represents a break point where the character of the whitewater changes. Upper Carmen is approximately two miles long and drops about 50' per mile with class II/III whitewater. Beginning about 1/3 of a mile above Tamolitch Falls the gradient increases dramatically approaching 200' per mile with class III/IV whitewater. Tamolitch Falls is a 50'-60' vertical drop into the "Blue Pool". Below this point the river passes through a steep gorge for about a mile representing the most interesting whitewater on the run. Below the gorge the gradient eases off to about 60' per mile as the channel begins to braid and substrate size decreases.
Additional assessment of the feasibility of access in the vicinity of Tamolitch Falls is ongoing as is further study of the whitewater resources and recommended flows.
Additional Information
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Permits are not required for this reach.
44.2858009338379,-122.040199279785
44.3382987976074,-122.040199279785
NA
We have no additional detail on this route. Use the map below to calculate how to arrive to the main town from your zipcode.
Trail Bridge Dam and Powerhouse
Carmen-Smith Powerhouse
McKenzie Carmen reach
Blue Pool
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