Rapid Change

Rafting

A new, potentially dangerous rapid developed on the lower Deschutes River near Klone, Ore., last month.

The rapid formed when heavy rains in Mud Hollow Canyon brought large rocks and debris into the river.

“No one will be expecting it because it is so new,” said Jim Torland, biologist for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

“It’s got some big curls in it that people, if they drop into it the wrong way, will likely swamp.”

Torland estimates it to be a Class III or IV rapid and advises boaters to scout the rapid before proceeding. The rapid is at the mouth of Mud Hollow Canyon, immediately upstream from Freebridge or Klone.

The rapid doesn’t appear to pose a fish passage problem.

The same storm that created the rapids also eroded banks, left railroad rails hanging and collapsed roads on both sides of the lower river. The Lower Deschutes Wildlife Area access road was washed out in three different places.