High water brings excitement and peril

The deep snows of winter are turning into whitewater as runoff has swollen rivers around the state.

For experienced kayakers, rafters and boaters the raging rivers bring excitement, but for others the conditions could mean peril. Following the hot streak of a week and a half ago, rivers in Oregon are running at extremely high levels.

For example, as of May 20, the Santiam River was running at 25,700 cubic feet per second (cfs), not far off the record for the same date of 27,500 set in 1960. Normal for the date is just over 7,000 cfs.

Other rivers, including the McKenzie, are running at similarly high levels.

The dangers include very fast, cold water coupled with a lot of debris both in the river and hung up along the banks, creating unforeseen hazards for river travelers. The excitement comes from what looks to be a summer with a lot of water. Typically the rivers slow down a lot during the summer.

The two most commonly rafted rivers in the Sisters Country, the Deschutes and the McKenzie, should provide high quality boating all summer according to John Cramp at Sun Country Raft Tours.

"The reservoirs are full and things are still melting so we should have good flows all summer long," he said.

Cramp doesn't believe that the higher water will have a tremendous impact on his business, although the perception of having lots of water is very positive, because the rivers he runs tend to have good flows generally.

"What it will do is extend our season on the McKenzie and the North Umpqua by a couple of weeks perhaps," he said. "The Deschutes always has good water."

His company also specializes in trips on the upper and lower Deschutes.

"Bookings are already strong and we hope that continues as we get into the summer," he said.

Cramp says for those venturing out on the rivers without a guide service it is important to do a little homework ahead of time.

"If you know where the trouble spots are you can stay on the friendly stretches of the river," he said. "There will be postings on any new hazards that have turned up due to the high water levels, but it is up to the individual to know where they are going, to use proper equipment for the conditions and to keep safety in mind at all times."

There were 13 river rescues in about a week's period on the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers earlier this month. Nearly all cases involved individuals who were taken by surprise by the speed, depth, and coldness of the river. The Army Corps of Engineers, which oversees water flow through some of the major dams in Oregon encourages anyone spending time along the shores of Oregon's rivers this spring to wear a life jacket.