Bend to Tumalo State Park (Riverhouse Run)
Oregon – US
- Class
- IV to IV+
- Length
- 5 Mile(s)
- Gradient
- 57 FPM
- Put-in elevation
- 3,522 Feet
- Take-out elevation
- 3,199 Feet
- Typical season
- January to December
Current Flow
Visual or unknown
No gauge reading is available for this run — check it on site.
- Primary gauge
- VISUAL Gauge detail & alternatives
Recommended levels
| Minimum | 500 |
| Average | 1,000 |
| Maximum | 1,500 |
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
As the river leaves the North part of Bend, much of the water gets diverted above in the many spillways and canals. This leaves a smaller feeling river for the next few miles that make up the Riverhouse Run. Because the flows are typically smaller here, watch for wood and other hazards in this area.
When the water is flowing and the weather is agreeable this run is a great step up for most kayakers.
Caution: The riverbed and river rock here is extremely sharp lava rock. Swimming some of these drops could cause some serious injuries. Please be aware of your surroundings and paddle safely.
Flow info can currently be obtained from the Bureau of Reclamation. http://www.usbr.gov/pn-bin/graphrt.pl?debo_q
Rapids
| # | Rapid | Class | Recommended flow | Description | Scout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Intro Rapids | III to III+ | 700–2,000 | As the river makes a right hand bend you'll pass under a bridge and some class II to III water starts. Just below the bridge is a small drop followed by a few sections of pool drop rapids until you get to the Wright Stuff rapid. |
Scouting is tough in this section because of private property on both sides of the river. Please be respectful to landowners so this portion of the Deschutes can continue to be runnable. |
| 2 | Wright Stuff Rapid | IV | 700–2,000 | The landowners by this rapid are named Wright, thus giving this rapid it's names. This rapid consists of several drops over sharp lava rock. Be sure to scout and pick your line. Also watch for pinned wood. |
Scout from river right. |
| 3 | Flumes of Doom Rapid | IV to IV+ | 700–2,000 | A small rocky island seperates the river into 2 channels. Most of the water flows down the left channel but at high flows both channels can be runnable. At really low flows you'll be lucky to scrape down the left channel. A short ways downstream of where the 2 channels re-join are some undercuts and other possible hazards if you are swimming. |
Scout on river left. |
| 4 | T-Rex Rapid | III+ to IV | 700–2,000 | Several rock drops line this rapid. |
Scout from the left. |
| 5 | The Ogre Rapid | IV | 700–2,000 | The Ogre starts with a nice sized hole punch. The it's a matter of staying upright and following the wave train to calm water. |
Scout left or right |
| 6 | Final Rapid | II+ to III | 700–2,000 | After some class II water, the river makes another right hand bend where Tumalo Creek enters on the left. The river widens for a brief section and then narrows down again. This is the last section of rapids before the take out. The lines and run are straight forward. |
Read and run |
Access
| Type | Name | Elevation | Camping | Water | Boat ramp | Vehicle access | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Put-In | Riverhouse Putin | 3,522 Feet | No | No | No | All Vehicles | Put in on the downstream side of the Mount Washinton Drive bridge. |
| Put-In | Sawyer Park | 3,504 Feet | No | No | No | All Vehicles | Put-in at the footbridge in Sawyer park. The Riverhouse Run rapid section follows below. |
| Take-Out | Tumalo State Park Access | 3,199 Feet | No | No | Yes | All Vehicles | On the river left, downstream side of the bridge (Tumalo Market Road) at Tumalo State park is a small dirt ramp. There is a nice eddy for stopping here. |
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.
External Links & Resources
No external links or resources added yet.
Sign in to add a link.
Community Run Notes
No community notes added yet.
Sign in to add a community note.