Location: USFS Horse Creek Campground - McKenzie Bridge, OR

Note: We have Horse Creek Group Camp reserved for 5 day's and 4 nights during early July. Come on down and camp a couple nights or all week long. As well as rafting, there's also other outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking and hot springs. 

Date:  Thursday, July 9th, 2026 thru Monday, July 13th, 2026

Rating: Class II+ to III+

Length: Various Sections with Lengths 9 to 13 Miles Each

Contact: Brenda Bunce, brenda.bunce@gmail.com 

AW River Description: Olallie to Paradise: American Whitewater

Frissell to Finn Rock: American Whitewater

Finn Rock to Leaburg Dam: American Whitewater

River Levels: Vida Gauge @ American Whitewater

Trip Information: 

Join us for an OWA Board sponsored week of rafting on the scenic McKenzie River. OWA has paid for the group campsite reservations at Horse Creek Group Camp for Wednesday, June 25th through 12pm on Sunday, June 29th. Potluck and Dutch oven dinners have yet to be determined (Dutch Oven is Encouraged). Breakfast, lunch and most dinners will be on your own.

This is a beautiful and scenic Class II-III+ river.

Option #1: Paradise to Bruckert, 9 miles. The first few miles are of a continuous class II.

Option #2: Frissell to Bruckert Bridge, 13 miles. Rapids are class II to II+ in nature.

Option #3: Olallie to Paradise, 9 miles. This is a beautiful section of river with numerous class II+ to III rapids. Fish Ladder the hardest rapid on this section is class III+ to IV-.

Max is 45 people.

Click here for directions to Horse Creek Group Campground.  https://www.google.com/maps/search/horse+creek+campground+mckenzie+bridge,+oregon/@44.1751238,-122.1639473,16z/data=!3m1!4b1?hl=en

Please contact trip leader for further details or to sign up.

Brenda Bunce, brenda.bunce@gmail.com 

References:

Soggy Sneakers by WKCC, Paddling Oregon by Robb Keller, Oregon River Tours by John Garren.

Event Categories

River Trip

Event Type

River Trip

River: Lower Salmon (Hammer Ck to Hellers Bar)

Location: Whitebird, Idaho

Date: Monday, July 27 thru Friday, July 31, 2026

Rating: Class II+ to III

Length: 80 miles 

Contact: Blair St. Denis at blairmo111@gmail.com

AW River Description: Lower Salmon | American Whitewater 

River Levels: Lower Salmon: Flow | American Whitewater

Trip Details: Trip size capped at 16 but there is some flexibility. 

This is a popular summertime river trip that has plenty of water throughout the summer months. With a right mixture of rapids, leisurely float time, swimming holes and large sandy beaches is what makes this river trip very favorable with family and friends. 

Who: The Clackamas River Basin Council, We Love Clean Rivers
What: The Clackamas Down the River Cleanup is the largest and longest-running on-water cleanup event of its kind in Oregon. After we clean the river, we gather at Barton Park for a BBQ celebration.
When:  Sunday, September 6th, 2026 from 9 am – 4 pm
Where:  There are four sections to choose from (Milo McIver to Barton Park, Barton Park to Carver Park, Carver Park to Riverside Park, Riverside Park to Clackamette Park).
Why:  More than a decade ago, an “explosion of trash” on the river was the impetus for the event. Trash on the river threatens not only the river’s scenic beauty, but it also harms fish and wildlife and impairs drinking water quality.

AW River Description: Clackamas – 5. River Mill Dam to Willamette River | American Whitewater

River Levels: Clackamas – 5. River Mill Dam to Willamette River: Flow | American Whitewater

The 23nd Annual Down the River Cleanup on the Lower Clackamas River returns again this year on Sunday, September 6th, 2026. This annual river clean-up at the end of summer covers a 20+ mile stretch of the Clackamas River from Estacada to the confluence with the Willamette River down by Oregon City.   

This is not an OWA club trip, but an annual clean-up event that is co-hosted by the Clackamas River Basin Council and We Love Clean Rivers.

All non-motorized paddle crafts may participate and launch at one of four parks: Milo McIver State Park, Barton Park, Carver Boat Ramp, and Riverside Park. Boaters must have Class II+ whitewater experience and wear a life jacket. On-water and on-land volunteer opportunities are available. Snorkelers and SCUBA divers are also welcome.

This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy floating down the Clackamas River while also joining your community in removing litter and debris that accumulate over the busy summer season.

Information about the 2026 Down the River Cleanup:

• Volunteers help us clean 22-mile stretch of the Clackamas River from Estacada to the confluence with the Willamette River in Oregon City.
• Each year an average of 200 volunteers rally together in rafts, kayaks, SCUBA gear, drift boats and any other safe vessel to scour the stream bed and banks for trash, collecting an average of 2 tons with over half recycled.
• Since 2003, over 44 tons of garbage — well over the approximate weight of one gray whale — has been removed from the Clackamas River by more than 4,500 volunteers.
• We wrap up the day with a free BBQ for all volunteers, complete with music, a raffle, and a silent auction at Barton Park!

For more information on this event and to register for the Down the River Clean Up, please click here: 22nd Annual Down the River Cleanup | Clackamas River Basin Council 

References:

Soggy Sneakers by WKCC, Paddling Oregon by Robb Keller

Event: September Club Meeting & Gear Swap

Location: Willamette Park, West Linn OR

Date: Wednesday, September 9th, 2026

Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.

Topic: Social Evening Get Together and Gear Swap with Fellow OWA Members. Flying Pie Pizza will be Served. Please bring your own Refreshments.

Meeting Details: Hey OWA club members, rain or shine, we'll be kicking off the September Club Meeting this month at an outdoors location at Willamette Park in West Linn. The meeting area will be at the Willamette Main Shelter near the corner of 12th St and Volpp in West Linn. This will also be a used Gear Swap, so bring your used or new boating and camping gear that you no longer use. Buy, sell, trade your used boating gear or donate your used gear to other club members who are just starting out. You can also just come out and browse through the items being offered from other club members. There will be a formal speaker for this social gathering. Bring your own camp chair if you'd like and join the end of summer with fellow club members. There will be Flying Pie Pizza provided by the club. There will be no soda refreshments availible this year, so please bring your own favorite refreshments. Note: West Linn Parks do not allow alcohol. So please use good judgement when bringing your own refreshments.

Speaker:  To Be Announced      

Business:  Up-coming River Trips and Events

                    Wilderness First Aid Training

Event: Wilderness First Aid Class

Location: Kingfisher Group Camp at Milo McIver State Park in Estacada, OR

Dates: Friday, Sept 25th to Sunday, Sept 27th, 2026

Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, both Saturday and Sunday. Attending the entire class is necessary to receive the certifications.

Registration Fee: (Non-Refundable): 

OWA Members $85 per person - This amount is highly subsidized by OWA

Non-Members may join OWA and then register.

Lunch:  Lunch will NOT be provided. We will have drinks and snacks

Gear: Bring weather and scenario appropriate clothing. There will be washable fake blood and likely some dirt. Please bring a camp chair. Coffee cup is a good idea for the drink/snack table. 

Contact: Safety Director: William Brezinski   safety@oregonwhitewater.org   

Camping: OWA has reserved the Kingfisher Group Campsite at Milo McIver State Park for this course from Thursday, Sept 24th @ 4:00 p.m. through Monday, Sept 28th @ noon. You can arrive as early as Thursday, late afternoon at 4:00 p.m. or come in anytime on Friday or Saturday morning. WFA instruction will conclude at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon. 

Food: Coffee, water, drinks, sweet and salty snacks will be provided but you are on your own for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  Please bring lunch with you so you don't have to leave the area to go get it. 

River:  North Santiam (Packsaddle to Fisherman's Bend) 

Meeting Location: Fisherman's Bend (BLM) Boat Launch Parking Lot (Takeout) at 10 a.m.. Located 1-1/2 Miles West of Mill City

Date: Saturday, October 10th, 2026

Time: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Rating: Class II & III

Length: 9 Miles

Contact: Scott Harvey: hadjimann@yahoo.com 

AW River Description: Packsaddle to Mill City: American Whitewater

River Levels: Niagara Gauge @ American Whitewater 

Trip Information:  

Experience the beautiful fall colors on our annual North Santiam trip. The float will be from Packsaddle to Fisherman's Bend (BLM). Starting in early fall, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers usually start their annual reservoir drawdowns from both Detroit and Big Cliff Dams to allow capacity for winter rains behind the concrete dams. This is usually a substantial flow increase to around 2,000 cfs, from the minimal summertime flows of 1,040 cfs. It should be High Indian Summer and a great time for a day run on the North Santiam River. We'll put in at Packsaddle, run for a couple of hours, have lunch and then finish up and take out at Fisherman's Bend Boat Launch and with a total of just over 9 miles. There is a mixture of rapids, waves, riffles and play spots, with only about three rapids that require much planning. although at low water levels this run can be bony. Spencer's Hole, Carnivore and Mill City Falls are the three liveliest rapids, and one needs to know where to go over the rock dam at Mill City to avoid the rocks. (The dam should be approached immediately to the left of a small fountain-like plume that is visible from upstream). Meeting time will be at 10 am @ Fisherman's Bend boat launch parking lot (The Takeout).

NOTE: Some individuals may prefer to takeout at North Santiam Park (additional 3 miles to the trip). If this is the case, please let me know ahead of time.

References:

Soggy Sneakers by WKCC, Paddling Oregon by Robb Keller, Oregon River Tours by John Garren.

Event: October Club Meeting

Location: Flying Pie Pizza - 7804 SE Stark St, Portland, OR 97215

Website:  http://www.flying-pie.com/locations/portland

Date: Wednesday, Oct 14th, 2026

Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.

Schedule:     

• 6:00 – 6:30     Social Time with Pizza
• 6:30 - 7:15      Club Business
• 7:15 - 8:15      Presentation
• 8:15 - 8:30      Clean-up

Topic: Looking for a guest speaker for the October club meeting. If you know someone who would be interested in being a speaker for one of our club meetings, please contact Meredith Brezinski (Vice President - Events) events@oregonwhitewater.org

Speaker: N/A

Description: Come on down, enjoy pizza, salad and refreshments with fellow boaters.

________________________________________

Event: November Club Meeting

Location: Flying Pie Pizza - 7804 SE Stark St, Portland, OR 97215

Website:  http://www.flying-pie.com/locations/portland

Date: Wednesday, Nov 11th, 2026

Time: 6:00 p.m. - 8:15 p.m.

Schedule:     

• 6:00 – 6:30     Social Time with Pizza
• 6:30 - 7:15      Club Business
• 7:15 - 8:15      Presentation
• 8:15 - 8:30      Clean-up

Topic: Looking for a guest speaker for the November club meeting. If you know someone who would be interested in being a speaker for one of our club meetings, please contact Meredith Brezinski (Vice President - Events) events@oregonwhitewater.org

Speaker: N/A

Description: Come on down, enjoy pizza, salad and refreshments with fellow boaters.

________________________________________

This is our annual Holiday Party.

Wednesday, Dec 9th, 2026 (6 p.m. - 9 p.m.)

We have the event room reserved for Wednesday, Dec 9th this year! Join us for our annual ugly sweater contest and the white elephant gift exchange as well as the end of year prize giveaways!

The holidays are upon us once again which means it is time for our annual party. It will be held at the Lucky Labrador Beer Hall on NW Quimby Street. You can start showing up at five but the pizza and salad will not be served until 6 p.m. We will have the time-honored white elephant gift exchange as usual.

________________________________________

River: Lower Sandy River Canyon

Rating: Class II+ (III)

Date: Friday, January 1st, 2027

Time: 9:00 am until 4:00 pm

Comtact:  Val Shaull, val.shaull@frontier.com (503.805.8991)

AW River Description: Dodge Park to Oxbpw Park: American Whitewater

River Levels: Bull Run Gauge @ American Whitewater

Trip Information:

Sandy River, Dodge to Oxbow

Note: This river trip is not an "officially sanctioned" OWA club trip! It's a whitewater community event that is open to all boaters that includes Team River Runner, OWA (members and nonmembers) and PNWWhitewater with the necessary class 3 and 4 required river skill set. "First of the Year Float". Meet at 9 am at Dodge Park to stage boats and be ready to shuttle vehicles from Dodge Park to Oxbow Park by 10 am. We will be launching at roughly 11 am from Dodge Park after a short prep talk. Dress warm for this winter-time float and be prepared for a wide range of mild to cold adverse weather conditions that can change rapidly while on the river. The lower forested Sandy River Gorge is an eight-mile float with several class II & II+ rapids and one class III rapid that can be boated at a wide range of flow levels. After the float we will then warm up at the Covered Shelter "A" inside Oxbow Park afterwards. Also, there is no Potluck this year. Val will have a 5-burner stove set-up and there will be hot coffee, hot cider, tea or cocoa at the covered shelter. So please bring your coffee mug. There will also be a fire to warm up by. Feel free to bring any snacks or treats to share with fellow boaters. 

References:

Soggy Sneakers by WKCC, Paddling Oregon by Robb Keller, Oregon River Tours by John Garren.