Skip to content
RiverBrain

Deschutes River

Dillon Falls to Mount Bachelor Village (Big Eddy)

Oregon – US

Class
III to V
Length
12 Mile(s)
Put-in elevation
4,042 Feet
Take-out elevation
3,841 Feet
Typical season
January to December

Current Flow

Visual or unknown

No gauge reading is available for this run — check it on site.

Visual
Primary gauge
VISUAL Gauge detail & alternatives

Recommended levels

Minimum800
Average1,400
Maximum3,000

Recommended use

  • Kayaking
  • Rafting
  • Canoeing
  • SUP
  • Packrafting
  • Fishing

Struck-through craft are not recommended for this run.

Flow history — last 6 days

Photos

No photos added for this run yet.

Open in full map →

Description

This run starts off with Dillon Falls (class V).  This is a 15 foot drop that can have some serious hydraulics below it.  A small canyon follows.

Most people run this section starting at the Aspen Camp access.  This is also known as the Big Eddy section and is a popular day run.  The Big Eddy section is mainly class III water and offers up a lot of play for kayakers.  Take out is Lava Island access.

Below here is Lava Island Rapids which are more class V.

Flow info is currently obtained at the Bureau of Reclamations site located here (http://www.usbr.gov/pn-bin/graphrt.pl?beno_q).

Rapids

# Rapid Class Recommended flow Description Scout
1 Dillon Falls IV+ to V 800–3,000

This is a 15 foot drop with a nasty hole just below it called Dill Hole.  If you decide to run this make sure to scout and set up safety properly.  Most boaters put-in below the falls which is recommended.

Scout, safety and portage on river left trail.

2 Below Dillon Falls Rapid IV- to IV 800–3,000

A river wide hole/wave.  Possible sneak routes on far river right for those not wanting to hit the meat.

Scout and portage on river left.

3 Helmet Check Rapid IV- to IV 800–3,000

Another hit here.  Towards river left is generally the best line.

Scout or portage from river left trail.

4 Big Eddy (Kenmore/Maytag) Rapid III to III+ 800–3,000

This is the first hole and wave set that starts the Big Eddy section.  Follow the tongue just right of center for the most straight forward run or get wild and try hitting the holes that give the rapid the washing machine names of Kenmore or Maytag.

Scout from Big Eddy day use area or read and run.

5 The Notch Rapid III to III+ 800–3,000

The river narrows here and creates a funnel.  Follow the downstream V for a straight forward run.  Watch the laterals at certain levels as you get into the rapid.

Read and run

6 Souse Hole Rapid III to III+ 800–3,000

After running the notch most of the current pushes you into the Souse Hole.  Attentive boaters can sneak it on the left.

The Big Eddy Rodeo is typically held here.

Read and run.

7 Old Stoagie Rapid II+ to III 800–3,000

This is a hole in the center of the river that can be skirted on either side.

Read and run

8 Airplane Rapid III to IV 800–3,000

Follow the main tongue down the center (NOTE:  Do not go left into the narrow channel that forms Lava Island.  Stay straight here).  Just below Airplane the river splits again.  Do not get this confused with the first left hand channel.  Once you are below airplane make your way to river left and prepare for Brad's Hole.

Scouting is tough but can be done on river right, near the aquaduct thingy.

9 Brad's Hole III to IV 800–3,000

At this point you should be more river left than river right.  There is a small brushy section in the middle of the river and most of the flow goes right to a big nasty hole with powerful currents and hydraulics.  You want to stay left and take a narrow channel hugging the left bank.  This bypasses the ugly hole on river right.  However, about halfway down this channel is Brad's Hole which you will have to punch.  So line up and get some speed.

Scouting is hard.  Try to get a view of it before dropping in at Airplane.

10 Canyon Rapid III to IV 800–3,000

Below Brad's Hole the river makes a left hand turn and straightens out.  This begins Canyon Rapid.   This is fairly straight forward boating through here. It's difficulty is it goes for a while and swimming here could get you banged up.

Read and run

11 Lava Island Falls Entrance Rapid IV to V 800–3,000

After the river pools it narrows again and Lava Island Falls start.  Expect big waves and holes.

Portage or scout on river right by the aquaduct thingy

12 Lava Island Falls V 800–3,000

Huge waves and holes here.  Also watch for a large rock smack dab in the center of it all.  Recommended portage.

Scout and portage on river right.

13 Below Lava Island Falls Rapid IV+ to V 800–3,000

More big water and hits.  A small island appears and has been known to contain nasty wood and log hazards.  Recommended channel is the left.

Scout and portage on river right.  This area has been unrunnable in the past due to wood.  Please be careful.

14 Playtime Rapid III 800–3,000

After a good section of flatwater, the river picks up again.  Playtime is a series of drops with random rocks placed throughout.  Kayakers can find some fun surf and play in here.

Read and run

15 Diversion Drop Rapid IV- to IV 3,400–3,000

Stay left here and hit the drop slightly left of center.  Don't go right and get sucked into the diversion canal intakel. After frist drop beware of overflow irragation flow, 3 pipes shooting water into rapid from river right and "room of doom" river left.

Scout river right, well above diversion canal intake grate, beware diversion grate, do not get near it.

16 Below Intake Rapid III 800–3,000

This is a tight small S-curve rapid.  Go with the flow

Read and run

17 Amazing Rapid III 800–3,000

Several hole drops in a row here.

Read and run

18 Jogjam Rapid III to III+ 800–3,000

The river widens some here and causes a natural logjam trap.  Make sure to scout and be aware of what is downstream of you.

Scout on river right trail.

19 100% Rapid III to IV 800–3,000

Take the line towards the right bank and follow the wave train down.  Punch any holes and hold on.

Read and run

20 1st Street Rapids III 800–3,000

Just below the dam is one of the only few sections of rapids in Bend proper.  Kayakers can find a surf or 2 in here if they really want to.

Read and run

Access

Type Name Elevation Camping Water Boat ramp Vehicle access Description
Put-In Dillon Falls Access 4,042 Feet No No Yes All Vehicles

See access info here.

Put-In Aspen Access 3,972 Feet No No Yes All Vehicles

This is the recommended putin for the Big Eddy day run.  A little bit of flat water below here will get you ready for the big eddy rapids around the bend. Access is on river left.

The turn off is on Conklin Road.  Then head east to the river.  Since this is a popular run finding the access won't be hard.

Put-In Big Eddy Access 3,982 Feet No No No All Vehicles

This is a parking lot situated above the Big Eddy rapids.  This is mainly trail access for kayakers wanting to get to the rapids for play or for those that want to watch river users run the rapids.  The turn off is on Conklin road and then head east to the river.

Put-In Lava Island Access 3,934 Feet No No Yes All Vehicles

Get here by turning east off of Conklin Road.  This is located on river left just above Lava Falls.  If you don't wish to run the falls then taking out here is a good option.  Make sure to stay left so you don't end up running down the irrigation cannal on river right.

Take-Out Meadow Camp Access 3,841 Feet No No No All Vehicles

A primitive access area between the river and the golf course.  No ramp.

Take-Out River Rim Park Access 3,806 Feet No No No All Vehicles

River right is a small primitive access point for the river.  Mainly used by smaller watercraft and fishermen.

Take-Out Healey Bridge 3,617 Feet No Yes Yes All Vehicles

River right just downstream of the bridge.  The river trail and park all meetup here.

Get here just off of Reed Market Road.

Put-In Mckay Park 3,602 Feet No No No All Vehicles

River left just below the spillway.  Get here by turning off of Colorado Ave.

Put-In Drake Park Access 3,596 Feet No No No All Vehicles

On the corner of Riverside Blvd and Tumalo Ave.  Access is on river right downstream of Galveston bridge.

Put-In Brooks Park Access 3,586 Feet No No No All Vehicles

This park area is on river left.  This area is also known as Mirror Pond and is a good area for paddle boarding.

Put-In Pioneer Park Access 3,581 Feet No No No All Vehicles

Located between two spillway dams.  This park is off of Portland Ave and Wall St on the east side of the river.

Put-In 1st Street Access 3,565 Feet No No No All Vehicles

Surprisingly located off of 1st street on the west side of the river.  There is a small paved trail here for walk on access.

Take-Out Riverview Park Access 3,559 Feet No No No All Vehicles

A small pullout on Division street gives you access just above another spillway.

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

Community Run Notes

No community notes added yet.

Sign in to add a community note.