Salmon Creek

This is a remarkably high quality run close to Eugene. It is runnable as low as 150 cfs which makes it an excellent option once other runs in the area have dropped out. It also tends to run longer into the spring than other runs given the high snow melt headwaters.

If traveling from out of town this can be an excellent addition to a run on the Miracle Mile of the North Fork Middle Fork Willamette.

Two notable sections:
Class IV: Start at the top put in for the more difficult run. The primary hazard is wood which is always moving around. The rapids are clean boulder gardens and most are scoutable and walkable as needed. The big one is 'Holey Terror' - so named for the abundant holes as you make your way down this technical and steep IV+ rapid.

Class III: For the shortened/easier run, launch at NF 2408 instead of at the coordinates listed here. There are a couple miles of class II before reaching the class III rapid at Salmon Creek Campground.  Scout the III because it catches wood.  Immediately below there is Salmon Creek Falls which is an easy slide on the left, or a more significant single drop on the right.  After this drop the whitewater returns to class 2 until the class III mini-gorge.  Continue to watch for wood as some obstacles must be portaged.

The mini-gorge is easily scoutable on the shuttle, parking at the gate on a side road and walking downstream on a good trail to see the class III drops and investigate the wood situation.  A possible takeout is the wooden stair at the end of the mini-gorge.

Below this point the gradient is less and there are more obstacles, including one massive log jam in 2018.  This log jam funnels boaters and wood toward river right, so if there is a way to get through to a left channel early on, that might be the best route.  Lots more class II whitewater and wood obstacles await, until you reach the railroad bridge and immediately below it the weir.  The

...