Fallen log poses hazard on Metolius River

It is not illegal, but it is certainly hazardous to float the fast-flowing Metolius River, especially below Bridge 99.

Below that point, trees are not typically managed or removed for boater passage, says Bill Anthony, U.S. Forest Service District Ranger in Sisters.

But a downed tree that now spans the river is an exception because "it is an unacceptable public hazard," Anthony said.

What makes this one unusual is its location and size. The root system is on the side of the river at the Forest Service's Candle Creek Campground.

The downed tree spans the river and appears to be a bridge to the other side.

The prospect of someone trying to walk across the tree, thinking it is a bridge, or just for a thrill, is what scares officials.

Anyone who falls into the river while attempting to walk the log faces a high likelihood of entrapment.

Anthony said they plan to cut the tree at the top and remove temptation to walk on the tree.

The river is very fast in this section, Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Chief Taylor Robertson says. River floaters would have little chance to get to the bank in time after spotting the log and they would find it very difficult to portage around the log because of the dense brush on both sides.

The log is close to the river and has many branches. Anthony said they have placed numerous warning signs to warn people of the danger.

The tree was blown over by high winds around Memorial Day, not an unusual event near Oregon streams and rivers. As trees become older and the soil around their roots erodes, they are much more likely to crash into waterways.

Chief Robertson, himself an avid long-time recreational river floater, said his department has for the past three years recommended that people do not float the river below Bridge 99.

There are no guided trips on this section of the Metolius.