Narrative: Exploratory trip on the lower section of the Santiam River, onto the Willamette River, and down to the Buena Vista ferry.
Meeting Time: 9:00:00 AM
Launch Time: 9:30:00 AM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Jefferson, Oregon
Take out: Buena Vista Ferry, Willamette River SHUTTLE IS REQUIRED
Route Alternative for bad weather: None
Required equipment: Towline
Minimum Immersion protection: Drysuit
Primary Organizer: Dennis Pennell
Assistant Organizer(s): None
Has organizer paddled here before? No
Has organizer led an OOPS paddle here before? No
Organizer's first aid and CPR current? Yes
First Aid /CPR Person: Dennis Pennell
Maximum number of paddlers: 5
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature: 44
Estimated Water Temperature: 44
Estimated Water Time: 3 hours
Tide times & heights: River level is rain and snow melt dependent.
Current information: 3 knots ??
Hazards:
Wind strength: Level 2: 7-12 knots (14 mph) – wind noticeably effects movement of paddle
Swell/Surf size: Level 2: Waves up to 2', no breaking waves
Sea state: Level 2: Waves up to armpit; light to moderate chop, scattered whitecaps
Landing types: Level 2: Frequent landing opportunities including docks or moderate sloping banks, brush or overhanging trees
Currents: Level 3: Up to 4 knots: paddlers must sprint to move forward
Total distance: Level 2: 6 to 11 miles
Open crossing: Level 1: No open crossing
Paddling Environment: Level 2: Mildly exposed river or coastline
Overall rating: Level 2
Rating Comments: I think you should have Level 3 skills for this trip. I have not done this trip. The water level will likely be at higher winter levels. This means faster current. It might be a gentle yet fast trip along an easy waterway. But it could be fraught with danger in the form of woody debris, sweeping turns, tricky eddy lines and currents, or whatever. As previously stated, I have not done this trip, so we take what we get and enjoy it. There is a description of this in Canoe and Kayak Routes of Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington by our own Philip Jones.
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