Big Eddy Whitewater Kayaking & Canoeing Trip on the Deschutes River

The Big Eddy run starts with 1 mile of flatwater with a few class II rapids mixed in. The real action starts when the river takes a sharp turn to the right and you arrive at the top of Big Eddy Rapid. On river left there is a large eddy, this is a great place to scout the rapid, or the hole run on the Deschutes River Trail. This rapid is a very powerful class III and should be scouted if it is your first time down.

The first drop of the rapid is called Maytag. In a raft you can run down just to the left of the hole, in a kayak it is best to avoid the hole by catching the eddy on river right. After maytag there is about 100 yards of class II boogie water that leads into the next drop called The Notch. This drop consists of two lateral waves crashing together with a steep lead in. When leading into this drop it is usually best to enter on river right to avoid some small holes in the center. Then cut back left and punch the two lateral waves down the center. This drop has great potential for flipping kayakers.

Sous Hole is the final drop of the rapid. At high water Sous hole turns into a large, fast green wave with great eddy service. At medium flows (1200-1400 cfs) Sous hole offers some of the best park and play in central oregon. Sous hole can be run down river right into the meat of the hole, or it is easily avoided on river left at all levels.

For the ambitious boater it easy to run laps on Big Eddy because it is only a 300 yard hike back to the top of the rapid. At the end of the main rapid there is only two small class II rapids and a short flatwater float to the take out at Lava Island Falls. Be sure to take out at the boat ramp because just below is class V Lava Island Falls which should be run only by class V boaters.