Salmon Creek

Low water desperation run for Oakridge and Eugene paddlers. Also, a step up run for those looking to graduate from class III.

If traveling from out of town, paddle the mile first. Generally if the mile is at or above 0 it is a better run.

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 weir is an easy run but scout for wood before committing.  Below the weir the whitewater picks up a little bit for just under a mile to a possible takeout on river right at the Fish Hatchery Bridge.