| Difficulty | II(III) |
| Length | 32 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 10 fpm |
| Gauge | North Umpqua River at Winchester, or |
| Flow Rate as of 48 minutes | 736 cfsbelow recommended |
| Reach Info Last Updated | June 4, 2022 |
This is a great section for open canoeists, beginner kayakers/rafters, and drift boats. The river maintains gradient of about 11 fpm providing lots of class II and a few class IIIs for novice boaters. The river flows by grassy green hills with oak forests interspersed by farms, ranches, and private homes.
Approximately 2 miles downstream of Idleyld Park, Lone Rock Park near Glide, OR has a boat slide along Lone Park Road on the south side of the river. Drift boats use the steep ramp and the small dirt parking area here. A few miles downstream from here is Colliding Rivers, the most interesting rapid on the run. Two channels provide options with the left channel being visible from the National Forest turnout in Glide. Drift boats and novice paddlers prefer the left channel to the steeper drop on the right.
More class II continues interspersed by sections of calm water until Whistlers Bend. Here the river turns north into a class III set of standing waves at higher flows and a more technical rapid at lower flows. As the river comes back around the bend to the south, Whistlers Bend County Park provides an option to camp (sites 9 and 11 are next to the river) and make an overnight trip on this section
The next class III is Dixon Falls on the right side of an island about 4 miles downstream from Whistlers Bend. At higher flows around 5000cfs a large wave hole forms with a straightforward line down the channel. Beyond Dixon Falls paddlers encounter fewer private homes and the river has a bit more of a wilderness feel. Class II continues to the river left take-out about 1 mile before the town of Winchester, OR. Be sure to find the small dirt ramp access site beforehand as downstream lies the Winchester Dam and fish ladder which is a hazard to navigation.
Below the dam access is available at John P Amacher Park. From this point the river continues for 6.6 miles of class II to the confluence with the South Umpqua.
While this section can be ru
...At North Umpqua Highway (Hwy 138) mile 17.9, turn onto Lone Rock Road, which heads upstream on river left. Continue 1.1 miles to the Lone Rock Boat Slide on river left. The site has limited parking and provides a boat slide suitable for trailed boats, as well as steps for hand-carry craft. The site has a toilet.
Where the Little River joins the North Umpqua the channel geology has the current of the two rivers opposing each other to create the phenomenon of the Colliding Rivers. This site is visible from the Colliding Rivers Viewpoint at North Umpqua Highway (Hwy 138) mile 16.3. This site does not provide river access but offers a view of the phenomenon. The viewpoint has a paved overlook and a toilet.
At North Umpqua Highway (Hwy 138) mile 15.9, the Colliding Rivers Boat Ramp provides access to the river on river left just downstream of the Colliding Rivers confluence. The site has a developed ramp suitable for trailed boats and a toilet.
At North Umpqua Highway (Hwy 138) mile 13.5, an unmarked road leads 0.4 mile from the highway to an informal access on river left located on public land within a rural neighborhood. The site is not immediately obvious and provides a small dirt parking area with unimproved shoreline access suitable for trailed boats. No amenities are provided.
At North Umpqua Highway (Hwy 138) mile 11.8, turn onto Whistlers Park Road and follow signs approximately 3.6 miles to the park and boat launch. The river access is adjacent to the campground and provides a developed launch area. The site has a toilet.
Located off Page Road on river left at a site managed by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, this is the last practical take-out before the river enters the reservoir created by Winchester Dam. The site has an unimproved parking area and good low-bank shoreline access to the river. No amenities are provided.
Winchester Dam is a hazard to navigation that must be portaged. It also inhibits fish migation. American Whitewater has advocated for its removal.
Access on river left on the donwstream side of the I-5 Bridge and below Winchester Dam.
Aug 19, 2023
A patch job on the Winchester Dam is underway in August. With no access to the fish ladder, the dam represents a barrier to fish passage for several weeks while the work is underway. This 130 year old dead beat dam is a high hazard struture that at one time produced power but no longer does. It is a candidate for removal.