Gold Ray Dam to Grants Pass
Oregon – US
- Class
- II+ to IV
- Length
- 24.5 Mile(s)
- Put-in elevation
- 1,143 Feet
- Take-out elevation
- 1,073 Feet
- Typical season
- January to December
Current Flow
1,400 CFS
Gauge height: 1.17 FT
Reading from Jul 10, 2026 10:15 PM
▲ 0.83/hr (12h) ▲ 0.42/hr (24h)
Hit some laps
- Primary gauge
- ROGUE RIVER AT RAYGOLD NEAR CENTRAL POINT, OR Gauge detail & alternatives Live gauge ↗
Recommended levels
| Minimum | 700 |
| Average | 1,500 |
| Maximum | 3,500 |
Recommended use
- Kayaking
- Rafting
- Canoeing
- SUP
- Packrafting
- Fishing
Struck-through craft are not recommended for this run.
Flow history — last 6 days
No gauge history recorded in the last 6 days.
Photos
No photos added for this run yet.
Description
This can be run as a long day run or an overnighter if you want to do the whole stretch. You can also run from Fisher's Ferry (below the dam) to Gold Hill Park if you want about a 5 mile day run with the best whitewater. Most of the rapids happen in the first 5 miles but rafters looking for a nice weekend float can continue downriver.
Lot's of gold was discovered in this area (hence all the name references to gold). If you are into history there are still some old relics around you can find and checkout. Gold Hill is also a quaint small town worth at least the drive through. In 2010 the Gold Ray Dam was removed just above the Fisher's Ferry access.
This run is mainly a class III run mixed with some flatwater. There are a couple of class IV drops with one of them containing a class II sneak.
Rapids
| # | Rapid | Class | Recommended flow | Description | Scout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bitterman Falls | II+ | 750–3,500 | A rocky rapid. Pick your way through. Kayakers can find some play spots in here depending on the water levels. |
Read and run. |
| 2 | Dowden Falls | II+ | 750–3,500 | A fairly minor rapid for rafters. Kayakers can find good surfing here. Some primitive access trails from Highway 234 can make this a good park n play spot. |
Read and run |
| 3 | Diversion Dam | II | 700–3,500 | A diagnol concrete diversion dam channels some of the Rogue into a left channel. Run close to the right river bank to not get caught up in this man made feature. |
Read and run. Just be ready for it and be in the right place on the river. |
| 4 | Nugget Falls | III+ to IV | 750–3,500 | This is one of the big rapids on this portion of the Rogue. The river runs over an uplifted section of rock creating several possible channels down this. Rafts and most craft will want to take the left channel drop. The right side is definitely more interesting so scout it if you want to tackle that drop. |
Scout left. Just below the concrete dam pull left and find a boaters trail on the left bank. |
| 5 | Powerhouse Rapid | II+ to IV | 750–3,500 | After paddling through some flatwater below Nugget Falls you'll see a small powerhouse on river right. This signals the beginning of powerhouse rapid. Enter the rapid towards river right near the house. Keep right and follow the river a short distance below the house. The river then splits into 2 channels with the main current going down the left channel. The left channel is your class IV option. The right channel is smaller but not as crazy and can be a class II-III sneak for those not wanting to run the main drop. |
You can pull into the calm water above the powerhouse on the right bank and follow the road down to scout the rapid. |
| 6 | Gold Hill Rapid | II | 750–3,500 | A minor read and run rapid |
|
| 7 | Boiler Rapid | II | 750–3,500 | A short section of minor class II water |
|
| 8 | Homestead I-5 Rapid | II | 700–3,500 | The Rogue crosses underneath the double bridges of I-5 followed by a small island. Either channel (right or left) will give you a class II ride. |
Read and run |
| 9 | Pearce Riffle | II | 700–3,500 | The rogue makes a left hand turn and a small riffle is formed. |
Read and run |
| 10 | Tom Pierce Rapids | II to II+ | 700–3,500 | A fairly straight forward run. Run towards river right. |
Read and run |
| 11 | White Rocks Rapids | II+ | 700–3,500 | Several large rock outcroppings are position just above the Higway 199 bridge. Look at running towards river right. |
Read and run |
Access
| Type | Name | Elevation | Camping | Water | Boat ramp | Vehicle access | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Put-In | Fisher's Ferry | 1,143 Feet | No | No | Yes | All Vehicles | A gravel lot and ramp is located on the South side of the river just below where the old Gold Ram Dam was located. |
| Take-Out | Gold Hill Park | 1,073 Feet | No | No | Yes | All Vehicles | Just below the powerhouse rapid is a take-out/putin option at Gold Hill Park. This is just off of Highway 234 and has a paved parking lot and ramp. |
| Put-In | Sardine Creek Access | 1,045 Feet | No | No | No | All Vehicles | A small gravel lot and trail just off of Highway 234. Mainly used by kayakers or rafters that can carry their boat and gear down to the water. |
| Put-In | Valley of the Rogue State Park Access | 1,005 Feet | Yes | Yes | Yes | All Vehicles | A large RV style campground exists between the river and I-5. There is a ramp just below the bridges. This isn't a great wilderness camping expirience but is a good option if you are driving around in luxury with a bumper trailer or RV. |
| Put-In | Coyote Evans Park | 987 Feet | Yes | Yes | Yes | All Vehicles | This is another RV style campground and access. Access on river left when on the river and from I-5 you need to cross the river on the bridge heading south. |
| Put-In | Pearce Riffle Access | 948 Feet | No | No | Yes | All Vehicles | This is a day use area with parking, restrooms and a paved ramp. No camping. |
| Put-In | Chinook Park Access | 944 Feet | No | No | Yes | All Vehicles | Access is on the south or river left. This is another day use area with decent facilities. No camping. |
| Take-Out | Baker Park | 898 Feet | No | No | Yes | All Vehicles | This is a city park with parking, concrete ramp and fishing access trails. No camping. River left just below the 199 bridge. |
| Take-Out | Grants Pass Riverside Park Access | 906 Feet | No | Yes | Yes | All Vehicles | This is another great Grants Pass city park that has access to the Rogue. This park is on the south side of the river between 2 bridges. |
Camps
No river camps added yet.
Permit
No permit is required, or permit info hasn't been added yet.
Fishing
No fish species have been associated with this run yet.
Points of Interest
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