Eagle River

The Upper Eagle offers fast-paced Class III boating for miles. While much of the run involves rock dodging boogie water, some small diversion dams add some spice. Then, in Edwards, the gradient steepens and boaters need to navigate larger waves and holes, particularly at high water. It can be connected with the Class IV Dowd Chute, above, or the Class III Lower Eagle, below.

The run begins at the takeout to Dowd Chute, which can add some extra spice to the day. The character of the run is evident from the beginning - lots of fast-moving water in a bouldered river bed requires a fair amount of rock dodging, even at high flows. 

Things pick up a half step in the town of Avon, where a hole lurks under Bob’s Bridge. It offers park and play opportunities at medium flows, but is best avoided when things get high. A small ramp below the bridge offers an alternative access point. 

A large river-right eddy allows groups to collect themselves before launching into the Edwards Mile, a mile-long stretch of steeper gradient. No single drop is particularly problematic, but there is little time to recover along this action-packed stretch. Swim hard for shore during any out-of-boat experience.

Then, suddenly, after a turn to the left the gradient peters out into a flatwater float to the treatment plant take out. Or continue to Eagle for more miles of Class II-III whitewater. 

Access: This run’s put in is the take out to Dowd Chute - the Riverbend Bus Stop in Avon, or at dirt lot just below it.

Take out at a small ramp near the water treatment plant in Edwards.