A tributary of the North Santiam River, the Little North Santiam (Or Little North) is an absolute beauty of a river. It drains 72,000 acres on the west slopes of the Cascades and its pristine clear and cold waters are cherished by many different types of recreationists, whitewater enthusiests included.
The upper stretches of the river near an abandoned mine is considered one of the worlds best kayaking destinations. Class IV to V whitewater in tight technical shutes is a site that few others ever get to see. This run is often simply refered to as "Opal Creek".
Below Opal Creek there are a number of miles of fun class II and III whitewater with a couple of "punctuation" rapids that require class IV attention. The entire length of the river is beaustiful and has a feeling of rugged remoteness, even though below Opal Creek the road is never far away.
| Run Name | Class | Current Flow | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Creek to Three Pools (Opal Creek Run) | IV to V- |
31.3 CFS @ 09-08-2024 15:20 |
Too Low Don't Bother |
| Salmon Falls to Elkhorn Campground | III- to IV- |
31.3 CFS @ 09-08-2024 15:20 |
Too Low Don't Bother |
