About
Clackamas River — Portland's Mountain Water Supply. From Mount Hood National Forest through Clackamas County, the Clackamas River drops 83 miles of varied whitewater from technical Class III-IV canyon runs to family floats near the Willamette confluence. At 2,400 CFS average with an optimal range of 800-4,000, this Oregon Scenic Waterway offers distinct character by section. The upper Clackamas runs remote forest canyon with Class III-IV drops, while Three Lynx to North Fork provides intermediate Class II-III water. Below Estacada, the river mellows through Class II rapids including Bob's Hole, which gained recognition in 2011 as a world-class river surfing wave. The bottom section from Barton to Clackamas offers Class I family water. The Clackamas Chinook called themselves "People of the River" and lived along these banks for millennia before contact. eNRG Kayaking guides sections of the run, and gauge 14211000 tracks flows for trip planning.
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and access points may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level.