Looking For Water to Boat? Check Out Our Pacific Northwest Releases
Posted: 08/09/2017
By: Evan Stafford
Not so long ago options for paddlers in the Pacific Northwest were rather limited while awaiting
the return of fall rains, but we’re excited to highlight some great opportunities for
boaters to get out and enjoy rivers this fall in the region.
The fun begins the weekend of August 19/20 in Oregon with two days of whitewater flows on the
North Fork Rogue
and a shuttle provided by PacifiCorp. The run from Mill Creek Falls is a fun class IV run with
other opportunities on the Upper Klamath or other sections of the North Fork Rogue available
nearby. A second weekend of whitewater boating is available on the North Fork Rogue over Labor
Day weekend on September 3/4.
Up in Washington State we will have an opportunity to boat the Upper Sultan River with
two dates of whitewater boating opportunities provided on September 2nd and 9th. Due to
construction of a fish passage structure last year on the Sultan River, no whitewater
opportunities were provided in September 2016. With extra water in our budget for this year, we
have scheduled process flows that provide whitewater boating opportunities on September 2nd and
9th. Please note that this run has long segments of continuous class IV+ whitewater with several
wood hazards. The full 15 mile run can be exhausting for those who have not been out paddling
regularly. Sign up in
advance to take advantage of these opportunities but please only sign up if you plan to be
there.
For those seeking a class III experience, the annual drawdown of Rimrock Reservoir typically
begins just after Labor Day providing opportunities on the Tieton River on the east
slope of the Cascades.
Those looking for a greater challenge on the sunny east side, take advantage of class V boating
opportunities on the Chelan Gorge. This
year’s whitewater boating weekend is scheduled for September 16th and 17th. Be sure to
sign
up for this opportunity in advance with Chelan PUD.
For those looking for a road trip south to California, Feather Fest will be
taking place on September 23rd and 24th on the Feather River. If the rains
still have not arrived by October, the Pit 1 run on the Pit River
in California will have scheduled whitewater releases on October 7/8 and 28/29. If you have not
done it, this river is well worth the trip to enjoy that last bit of California summer and fire
up the big drop at Pit Falls.
You can find all the scheduled whitewater opportunities we have worked to provide on our
calendar:
If you would like to help us put water back in more rivers, consider a contribution today:
Have fun on the water this fall!