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Other Whitewater Trips on the Siletz River
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 Lodging in Oregon
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:: Buck Creek to Moonshine County Park Whitewater Kayaking & Canoeing Trip
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Buck Creek to Moonshine County Park Whitewater Kayaking & Canoeing Trip on the Siletz River |
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Related River Guidebooks on AllAboutRivers |
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Buck Creek to Moonshine County Park Info
Use this information at your own risk. See our legal notices. |
| Put In: |
Buck Creek |
| Take Out: |
Moonshine County Park |
| Difficulty: |
Class III
, Class IV
Silache Rapids
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| Gradient: |
40 fpm |
| Run Length: |
6.5 miles |
| Current Streamflow: |
1340 cfs @ 02/10/2012 04:30 AM - SILETZ RIVER AT SILETZ, OR, reading taken from USGS
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| Good Level: |
1,600 - 4,500 cfs |
| Streamflow Comments: |
At low water levels, 1,600 - 2,000 cfs, this section has large pools for recovery. At medium flows, 2,000 - 3,500 cfs, pools become shorter. At high flows, 3,500 - 5,000 cfs, pools become very swift moving water. Also at high water Silache Rapid becomes a 1/4 mile long class IV+ rapids, at high water swims will be very long. |
| Season Comments: |
January, February, March, April, October, November, December
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| Primary Season: |
This section of river usually runs most of the winter because of heavy rain. Spring is the best time for this run because of the high flows and sunny skies |
| Permit: |
None presently required for river use. Parking fee required at Moonshine County Park. Because this river is on a private logging road there is no access during the week days. |
| Character/Similar To: |
This section of river has a big water feel, pools between rapids make time for recovery and rescue. Bring your playboat because this run has some of the best play waves in the coastal range.
This river offers great scenery in some places, in other places you will find clear-cuts and areas in second-growth. |
| Hazards: |
Boaters running this section for the first time should scout Silache Rapid, and Quarry Rapid. These two rapids are class IV and they both containe many large holes. Silache Rapid is very long, at high water it also becomes very continuous. |
| Water Craft: |
kayak,wwcan,raft |
| Land Ownership: |
Mostly public land, private logging roads run the length of this section so access is not aloud during week days. |
| Wilderness: |
Yes |
| Camping on River: |
Moonshine County Park is a very nice campground with restrooms and showers. Also during the weekend there is free camping throughout the roads surrounding the river. |
| Location: |
In the Pacific Region (OR), 78 miles (1 hour 59 minutes) Southwest of Salem |
| Shuttle Logistics: |
Take Out: From Corvallis take US 20 W for 16.1 miles and turn right onto OR 180. Follow OR 180 for 7.9 miles, in Nashville turn right onto Logsden Road and continue for 14.5 miles. In Logsden turn right onto Moonshine Park Road and follow it for 4.1 miles to Moonshine County Park.
Put In: To reach the put in, turn left out of Moonshine Park onto the gravel road. Follow the gravel road for about 7 miles, cross over Buck Creek and when the road forks follow the fork to the right. A short distance from here the road will fork again; follow the right fork to the bridge over the Siletz River. |
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| Buck Creek to Moonshine County Park on the Siletz River |
This section of the Siletz River contains the best whitewater on the Siletz drainage. There are many fun class II/III rapids with a couple of intimidating class IV rapids. The first couple miles of this run contain pool drop class II rapids. Look for great surfing waves and cartwheel spots.
A couple of miles into the run you will be faced with Silache Rapid, this rapid is about ¼ mile long. At lower flows there are small pools between each individual drop. At high flows this rapid becomes very continuous; swimming in this rapid would lead to a long swim. Scout this rapid from the road on the shuttle drive. Experienced class IV+ boaters should have no problem without scouting.
Below Silache Rapids are some of the best play spots on the run. Count on finding a handful of great surf waves with good eddy service. For a short run this can be a very long day on the river because of these waves.
About 2 miles above the take out is the last class IV rapid called Quarry Rapid. During the shuttle drive you can scout this rapid from the rock quarry. This rapid consists of three big holes, all of which can be avoided be staying left. If you choose to run right this rapid has a very big water feel and is a lot of fun.
At the take out in Moonshine Park there are many more surf waves on the river left. This is a great take out because you can surf the waves for the rest of the afternoon or you can enjoy the grassy field in the park. |
Last Edited by doldfield on 3/17/2010
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