This trip is limited to members with a wet exit certification. To successfully register you will need to sign into your OOPS member account, and your account will need to be a member of the "Wet Exit Certified" group. Your acceptance is conditional on approval by the Organizer, who may contact you with questions about your skills and equipment. If the measured water temperature is different enough from that listed below to warrant a change in required immersion protection, the Organizer will contact all participants and the Trips Board member with the update at least a day before the trip.
Narrative: Go play in the Narrows in long boats. Maybe the river flow will be within a fun range. I am hoping for somewhere between 58 and 59 feet on the USGS 14207740 WILLAMETTE RIVER ABOVE FALLS, AT OREGON CITY, OR gauge. This is an upstream paddle for about a mile or mile and a half to the interesting areas.
Launch from Willamette Park at West Linn. Paddle up to the mouth of the Tualatin River and see if there is any fun to be had there. Then paddle up to the islands of the narrows. Possible play options include paddling in the currents, catching and exiting eddies, and maybe get to surf a little bit if we can find some standing waves.
Hazards include cold water, muddy water which makes it difficult to see rocks or other objects underwater, and especially possible wood hazards, both stationary and moving with the current.
Should the level drip below 57 feet or rise above 61 feet, then I will cancel the trip.
Suitable helmets required. Please no bike helmets. If you need a helmet let me know and I can probably provide you one.
Meeting Time: 10:00:00 AM
Launch Time: 10:30:00 AM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Willamette Park at West Linn
Take out: Same as put-in
Route Alternative for bad weather: None. Trip will go in all weather unless driving conditions are unsafe, and if wind is not blowing hard downstream, as that would make getting up to the narrows unreasonably difficult.
Required equipment: Helmet
Minimum Immersion protection: Drysuit
Primary Organizer: Dennis Pennell
Assistant Organizer(s):
Has organizer paddled here before? Yes
Has organizer led an OOPS paddle here before? Yes
Organizer's first aid and CPR current? Yes
First Aid /CPR Person: Dennis Pennell
Maximum number of paddlers: 6
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature: 40
Estimated Water Temperature: 45
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 4 hours
Tide times & heights: River level fluctuates. Check gauge at USGS 14207740 WILLAMETTE RIVER ABOVE FALLS, AT OREGON CITY, OR
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/or/nwis/uv/?site_no=14207740&PARAmeter_cd=00065,00060
Current information: 1 to 6 knots, mostly probably 2-3 knots
Hazards:
Wind strength: Level 3: 12-16 knots (19 mph)
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 1: Up to 6 miles
Open crossing: Level 1: No open crossing
Paddling Environment:
Overall rating: Level 2
Rating Comments: There may be places where the current speed exceeds level 2 rating, but these can be avoided if needed.
