Santiam, N.

Observed August 1, 2026, at low summer flow: The designated portage and wooden boat slide at Upper Bennett Dam are on river right of the dam, beside the jetty where the canal divides from the main river. We approached from the South Channel of the North Santiam. The dam is challenging to recognize from upstream, and the portage sign is not readily visible until the paddler is very close. We stopped approximately 130 feet upstream and approached cautiously in shallow water.

River left of the dam led toward a grated fish-passage/intake structure and did not appear to offer a safe practical portage under these conditions. The wooden boat slide on river right was only thinly wetted and had exposed rock nearby and fall-off consequences; we portaged rather than running it. The dam crest itself should not be approached, or approached with caution. Conditions and wood hazards may change with flow—scout and verify before committing.