The Sandy River drops from the glaciers of Mt. Hood to the Columbia, offering the closest whitewater to downtown Portland. The river"s glacial-melt character means milky blue-green water in summer and crystal clarity in winter. The Sandy River Gorge provides a surprisingly wild Class II–III corridor just 30 minutes from the city. Marmot Dam was removed in 2007, restoring 100 miles of fish habitat.
River conditions are community-verified. CFS ranges, difficulty ratings, and trip sections may not reflect every flow level or seasonal change. Always check current conditions, scout unfamiliar rapids, and paddle within your skill level. If you spot an error, use the Improve This River button at the top of the page — your local knowledge is what makes this atlas accurate.