| Back to Oregon Lake Creek (& Siuslaw River) Few rivers anywhere are as rich with waves and holes as Lake Creek. Many paddlers suggest that Lake Creek has as many waves as all the rivers in the rest of Oregon. Lake Creek is one river that lives up to its reputation. Few paddlers have probably a seen a five mile stretch of river with more features to surf. The play run referred to as "Lake Creek" starts for most paddlers at the boat ramp upstream of Tide, in Indiola, OR. The put-in in Indiola is a much more popular choice, than the one further upstream in Deadwood. After the put-in there are a few holes to ride right away and then a few minutes of quiet water with a wave every so often before reaching The Ledges. The Ledges start to come to life around 12 feet (Siuslaw at Mapleton) and by 15 feet there are some strong holes that many paddlers would chose to avoid. Right after The Ledges the rivers bends and drops through The Horn, followed quickly by Little Bus Stop and Bus Stop. Below Bus Stop a few small waves point the way to regular stop at The Grassy Lawn Hole. Below The Grassy Lawn Hole, the river becomes filled with haystack type waves until Lake Creek converges with The Siuslaw River. From the confluence it is a ten minute float through a sea of small haystack and large haystack waves down to The Mill Wave, though on the way there are several waves to surf. Just around the corner from The Mill Wave, The Red Hill Wave can be found at the right water levels at the foot of the rounded rocky knoll. After Red Hill, Siuslaw River quickly whisks you downstream to Tide. Keep in mind that Lake Creek is Class III run for Class IV or Class V boaters especially above 15 feet. There are many obstacles and hazards, such as very large hydraulics like "Bus Stop" and brush along the river banks forming natural strainers. The description above mention none the potential hazard. The truth about Lake Creek is that most of play to be had is catch on the fly play at higher water levels, above twelve feet, when The Ledges above The Horn, really start to come to life. During periods of high water in many of the rapids you will often have to pick between waves to surf. Many paddlers prefer play with good eddy service, so that they really get the feel for a feature and spend more of their time surfing than running the river. For those paddlers the best levels for Lake Creek are from ten and half feet to eleven and half feet when most of the eddy served features are in. The play spots listed below are the highest quality features with good eddy service. There are many other features worth your attention especially at higher water levels.
Copyright 2003 B. Fields |
