Oregon White Water Rafting River Description and Natural History
Umpqua River Rafting Guided Trips
River Description / Natural History
The Umpqua also has surreal water, in terms of its gorgeous blue crystal clear character and fun and ongoing rapids. The pure water and summer long flows are explained by the geology of the area. Volcanic eruptions rendered huge deposits of pumice and ash in the upper watershed. The rain and snowmelt runoff is filtered through this natural sift as it heads into the upper layer of the earth. It then emerges as springs pouring out from the crust, resulting in a cool and steady flow of transparent water. Minerals in the ground water define the rivers aqua velva blue.
The same volcanic geology is responsible for the many waterfalls and dramatic spires and cliffs that are found in the Umpqua watershed. Tokatee, Lemolo, and Watson Falls are beautiful and unique cascades found above the stretch that is commonly rafted. In the canyon that is run the rivers walls are steep and covered with moss and fern. A rich and healthy Douglas fir forest surrounds rafters and kayakers as they drift down the river. However, the whitewater action at times makes it difficult to enjoy the scenery!
The 11-mile stretch of te Umpqua from Boulder Flat put-in to Pin Ball rapids hosts more rapids per mile than any other class III-IV summerlong river in the state. For this reason and the scenery described above it is little wonder that the North Fork Umpqua is regarded by many as the best fun whitewater run in all of Oregon.