| Difficulty | IV |
| Length | 3.3 mi |
| Avg Gradient | 109 fpm |
| Gauge | Rogue River Below Prospect, or |
| Flow Rate as of 17 minutes | 569 cfsmedium runnable |
| Reach Info Last Updated | July 30, 2026 |
This is a short but great continuous class IV creek-ish run on the upper Rogue River. The first 1.3 miles from Mill Creek Falls to North Fork/Prospect powerhouse is nearly continuous whitewater with many class IV drops connected by class II and III whitewater. Below the powerhouse, the river eases off to class III but the powerhouse adds up to an additional 1,000 cfs. Most paddlers take out at the powerhouse to take advantage of the free shuttle on scheduled release weekends. Continuing downstream to Lost Creek Reservoir increases the total run length to approximately two miles and adds several class III rapids but requires a hike out at the end once you reach the reservoir.
Before embarking on the Mill Creek run, curious paddlers may want to take a look at the stout Avenue of the Boulders section upstream. The best view is from the bridge over the Rogue on Mill Creek Drive. This class V-VI section has been run in parts but is more scenic than paddling material for most. Upstream from the bridge is the class V+ Prospect Falls that was featured in a now-vintage Ashland Mine Productions film. From this scenic view spot it's 0.4 miles down the road to the Mill Creek and Barr Creek Falls trailhead parking area, from which you hike your boat to the water.
Getting to the put-in is more frightening and strenuous than the river for the experienced creek boater. During PacifiCorp's scheduled recreational flow releases there is a free van shuttle from the powerhouse take-out back to the put-in. Be sure to sign up for the shuttle at the put-in using the the clipboard that's on the picnic table at the southeast corner of the of the parking area. From this spot the hike is all downhill, gentle at first and then ridiculously steep. Take the most direct downhill trail at each intersection. The hike is gentle until the trail drops into the basalt gorge, where you shoulder your boat on the right and down climb a steep trail using handholds on the cliff to your lef
...Access to the put-in is at Mill Creek Drive mile 5.3 at the Mill Creek and Barr Creek Falls trailhead, a day-use area for those viewing this dramatic waterfall that cascades into the North Fork Rogue River. Hardboaters (or adventurous rafters) will need to follow the rough social trail down into the gorge (bring ropes). Rafts may be easier to get to the water still rolled. Those seeking a stout class V challenge can continue upstream to the 'Avenue of the Giant Boulders.' You can get a look at Prospect Falls by continuing to mile 5.8 and the Mill Creek Drive bridge that crosses the North Fork Rogue and offers a dramatic view down into the the falls.
The Prospect Powerhouse take-out is accessed from Mill Creek Drive mile 4.1. This is the turn for the road that leads down to the PacifiCorp powerhouse at river level. In the past paddlers were allowed to drive down the road, but the road is now closed to the public. While the road is closed to vehicles now, the public is free to hike up the access road with their boats as needed. PacifiCorp staff have requested that boaters leave their vehicles right in front of the main Operator's office. Please be friendly with all staff at the powerhouse and don't block access to the gate. On release weekends PacifiCorp contracts for a shuttle service that picks up boaters at the powerhouse and brings them back up to the put-in at Mill Creek Falls.
The lower take-out, where the North Fork and South Fork join together and end at Lost Creek Reservoir, is accessed from a trail that starts at Mill Creek Drive mile 1.8. Here a wire fence with a pull-out for a couple cars marks the start of an old road that has turned to trail. The trail leads down to the reservoir. The trail crosses Skookum Creek which is a good waypoint marking the take-out for those paddling down the river. This take-out crosses a small piece of private property and permission of the landowner is required. American Whitewater has explored solutions to bring this trail into public ownership and volunteers interested in pursuing this project are encouraged to contact us. Another option is to arrange for a pickup or paddle out on the reservoir.
Sep 12, 2019
The Pacificorp Prospect Whitewater Page link is out of commission and has been since at least Labor Day weekend this year when I first attempted to access flow information. I am removing all but one references to the link from the description text. Was maintaining this page part of the agreement with AW? Here is the link for future reference.
https://www.pacificorp.com/es/hydro/hl/wr/rr/bf.html
Aug 20, 2011
A run from Mill Creek Falls down to the reservoir with Thomas O'Keefe, Omar Jepperson, Jennie Goldberg, and Pat Welch.
Mar 30, 2011
I managed to get on this run a no. of times last summer during the schedule release. The three times I did, the stick gauge at the put in read between 2.1 and 2.8 a low to medium flow. Perfect for the class 4 boater such as my self. With-in these flow parameters there were lots of eddys and the water did not have much push giving you plenty of time to make the technical moves necessary for this run. I hear as the flow goes up so does the rating, and I can see that. The class 4 section starting below Mill Creek falls to the Powerhouse is essentially a 1.3 mile long class 3 to 4 rapid and tons of fun, all set in a spectacular gorge with 2, 170' tall waterfalls, tall canyon walls and fantastic water color and quality. Even though I live less than an hour from the put-in, I like to camp up above Prospect on the release weekends, That way you maximize your boating time and can get the whole NF Rogue boating experience by adding runs down the Natural Bridge, Takilma Gorge and River Bridge sections as well as a couple of laps down the Mill Creek section. That all adds up to a great summer weekend of boating! Below the powerhouse is a good section of class 3 that reminded me of the upper McCloud...continuous, fairly shallow rocky rapids with good gradient (50fpm) and a couple of nice surf waves on the day I paddled it..The class 3 section goes 24/7/365 but has access problems both at the put-in and the take-out...too bad because I bet it would be fun in the playboat.