Clackamas

It was a fun weekend at the Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival. Water was at the lower range of flows but still pretty fun. I got on the river with a group of packrafters from Hole Creek down to Hole in the Wall.

The 2025 Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival had low flows and consistent rain throughout the day but participation was high and everyone was out having a good time ont the water.

I'm always surprised that the Clackamas is still fun under 1,000 cfs. But people ran the 'Carnage' run yesterday and are reporting that it goes!

The Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival was the occassion for the opening of the new day-use area at Carter Falls on the upstream river left side of the Carter Bridge. For many years this site was a field of uneven rip rap that was hard to walk on. American Whitewater worked with Portland General Electric to improve and formalize the area as a day-use pull-out and location to view the river including for spectators of the Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival. The COVID-19 pandemic and wildfires delayed the fomal opening of the site that was celebrated at this year's festival.

We put in at the large turnout near Indian Henry campground and did the whole run to Moore Creek. It was a good clean run, no hazards.

Evening trip on the Clackamas Wild and Scenic River with Greg Lee, Olivia Linney, Kevin Colburn, and Tom O'Keefe.

Map of access sites open to the public.

American Whitewater was afforded an opportunity to tour the Clackamas River corridor and witness first-hand the impacts of the Riverside Fire and recovery operations with Oregon Department of Transportation and the Forest Service along with local outfitters and conservation groups.

Field trip with River Management Society to experience the Clackamas River and learn about the investments made in river access by Portland General Electric as part o fthe hydropower license for the Clackamas Hydroelectric Project.

Tour of river access improvements implemented by PGE as part of the requirements for the hydropower license for the Clackamas Hydroelectric Project.

Short trip on the Clackamas River that started with a run on Fish Creek and check of access sites.

The Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival and celebration of access sites opening.

Hole in the Wall Access site prior to site development.

The Upper Clackamas Whitewater Festival at Carter Bridge with the big air ramp.

Out enjoying the Clackamas River.

Nice job Tom!!!

Upper Clackamas Whitwater Festival weekend with events at Carter Bridge.

Ice in the meat of the rapid IceMan Riverboarder riding toward a huge hole