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Molalla Drainage

     Probably closer to Portland than the Clackamas River for most local paddlers, The Molalla River Drainage provides several surfable features during or immediately after high water events when Bob's Hole on the Clackamas is generally out. These waves and holes on The Molalla provide a nice change from Clackamas without much more Driving. The Molalla's Destination Play Spots are listed below:

Weyerhauser Wave

Feature Type:  Wave & Hole

Range:  Best from 3500 cfs to 5300 cfs on on The Molalla River Gauge at Canby.

Closest Town:  Molalla, Oregon

Quality:  Three Star

Island Wave

Feature Type:  Wave Hole

Range:  Appears only at high water above 7,000 cfs.

Closest Town:  Molalla, Oregon

Quality:  Two Star (no eddy)

Rock Pile

Feature Type:  Wave-Hole

Range:  2500 cfs to 6000+ cfs on The Molalla River Gauge at Canby.

Closest Town:  Molalla, Oregon

Quality:  Two Star

Bagel Wave

Feature Type:  Large pour-over hole with wave shoulder

Range:  In above 7000 cfs on on The Molalla River Gauge at Canby

Closest Town:  Molalla, Oregon

Quality:  Three Star

 

Much Love Hole

Feature Type:  Gentle, small wave hole in at low water.

Range:  In between 2000 cfs and 3000 cfs

Closest Town:  Molalla, Oregon

Quality:  Two Star

 



Other lesser waves or holes in the drainage
  • Near the 5 mile post in The Molalla River Recreation Area above Glen Avon Bridge, There is a large breaking wave that is challenging to surf. This wave is only in during high water events (6000+ cfs) and is very challenging to surf.
  • Between 2800 cfs and 5000 cfs there is a powerful pour-over hole that comes in above Goldilocks in the lower canyon section of The Three Bears Run which ends above Glen Avon Bridge. When doing this run you might also come across a couple of other good surf waves.
  • Soon we will have information about the mysterious Corner Wave.
If you have information about these or other waves and holes in Oregon that you would like to contribute, please email me at:
nwkayaker@comcast.net

 

Copyright 2003 B. Fields