Clarence Lysdale    						       January 15, 2013
lysdale@presys.com

Summary of my experience kayaking the Siuslaw River:

NOTE:  THE FOLLOWING COMMENTS ARE BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE, ABILITY, AND EQUIPMENT -- YOUR RESULTS MAY VARY!!

A)  Above tidewater – i.e. upstream from Mapleton.

Much of this overall section is described as #21 in Soggy Sneakers.
I have always put in at Whittaker Creek or below -- no knowledge upstream of Whittaker Creek.
Range of "good" water levels is from 5 ft to 7 ft at the Mapleton Gauge (see NW River Forecast Center website, reference section, bottom of document).
I would break the section down as 4 moving-water runs:

1) Whittaker Creek to Lindslaw Park   -  about 5 miles class 1+  
Whittaker Creek is 1.5 miles upstream from Oregon 126 on Siuslaw River Road; leave S.R. Road and cross bridge to west for access ramp.
Lindslaw Park with ramp is on Oregon 126 at Richardson.  Lane County pass needed.

This run is an easy and pleasant "walk in the park".  Avoid a few big rocks and watch for strainers, if any.

2) Whittaker Creek to Swinging Bridge  -  about 9 miles class 1+
Whittaker Creek put in - see above.  There is an alternate put-in ramp at the north end of the covered bridge, Siuslaw River Road at Oregon 126.  Lane County pass needed there.
Swinging Bridge:  Leave Oregon 126 and cross bridge at Richardson just west of Lindslaw Park.  Go northwest (left) on Stagecoach Road about 3.5 miles, watching for a footbridge high over the river.  Takeout and parking are along the road just upstream from the bridge.

This run is similar to 1), except longer.

3) Swinging Bridge to Swisshome  -  about 8 miles class 3 - 
Put in at Swinging Bridge on Stagecoach Road per above.
Take out on curve in road with waterfall before Lake Creek as noted in Soggy Sneakers.
        
This section includes 4 railroad bridges, conditions at each should be scouted for their unique challenges.  Many of us have taken at least one swim when doing this section.

 4) Swisshome to Mapleton  -  9 miles, I have never attempted to run this section - has lots of rocks and rock shelfs plus at least one long, fast, narrow channel.

B)  Tidewater – i.e. from Mapleton to the jetties at Florence.

Flatwater paddling this tidal estuary is all about tide times and wind conditions.  Generally avoid if rainfall/water levels have recently been very high, since the river gets muddy with lots of debris.   You can paddle against a strong tide and/or wind, but it takes a lot of effort.  Seems generally best to plan trips downriver, putting in at high slack tide or maybe an hour before.  Note that high slack above Florence to Mapleton will be :30 to 1:00 hr AFTER the time given in the Tables.  (I use Tide Tables from "The Sportsman" in Florence -- all have same info, but these seem easiest to read)  If you put in upriver much after high slack, you will need to avoid the shallower waterways across from Cushman and at the North Fork; stay in the main channel to avoid getting stranded in mud as low tide approaches 4-5 hours later.

Put In Options:       Mapleton Landing (Lane County pass needed)
       Tiernan, 5 miles west of Mapleton
       Cushman (commercial fee charged)
                               Florence Port Boat Ramp (park free west of ramp/condos)

Take Out Options:  As above plus
                                South Jetty near Rock Dock (Federal parking pass required)
                                North Jetty Dive Park (expect some waves/swell)

Nice Trips:

1)  Mapleton to Tiernan - 5 miles, generally not much wind.

2) Tiernan to Florence - 10 miles, leisurely 4-5 hour trip; can be windy with waves on last mile of open water.  Can go through Duncan Inlet on south side of island instead of main channel - Inlet is often partially(?) blocked by downed trees.  Estuary waterways wind between marshlands being restored by the Nature Conservancy; a map or aerial photo can be useful.  Islands across from Cushman have decent beaches and firm ground with trees for nice lunch stop.  Unless tide is low, can go south at Cushman parallel to railroad tracks through winding, protected waterway -- turns west to rejoin main channel.

3)  Florence to South Jetty Rock Dock (across from Coast Guard)  - 4 miles , can get strong wind and waves.  Watch for lots of harbor seals sunning themselves on either side of river near Coast Guard station.  Take out will be over a sand beach just south of the Rock Dock

4)  Florence to North Jetty Dive Park  -  5 miles, same as 3) except final half mile will be affected by ocean swells coming in between the jetties (can be severe).  Take out is designed with steps for SCUBA divers rather than paddle craft, but can be used with care -- expect to get wet.

Trips 3) and 4) may sometimes be better run upriver, depending on tide and wind.

C)	North Fork – i.e. Bender Landing to bridge at North Fork Grange

The North Fork of the Siuslaw comes in at the Hiway 126 bridge just east of Florence.  This waterway is also tidal flat water, so tide times are important but it is relatively narrow so wind is not usually a problem.  The banks are muddy at low tide, so it is generally more appealing when the tide is in.  In the fall, you can often pick your fill of blackberries right from your boat!

An “in and out” trip on the tide is a fun way to see the North Fork.  Put in at Benders Landing roughly 1 to 2 hours before high slack tide – paddle upriver with the incoming tide to somewhere around the Grange bridge (3+ miles).  Stop for lunch and a break, then paddle back out with the outgoing tide.  Take out at Benders Landing or continue 4.5 miles to the Florence Port Boat Ramp if you have set a shuttle.  If the tide is getting low, best to stay in the main channel west of Bull Island, and also avoid “cutting the corner” where the North Fork joins the main stem Siuslaw, or you may end up aground.

Note that high slack tide up the North Fork will be :30 to 1:00 hr AFTER the time given in the Tables.

Put In Options:       Benders Landing, 3 miles up North Fork Road from Hiway 126.                           		       (Lane County pass needed)
                              
Take Out Options:  As above plus
                                Florence Port Boat Ramp (park free west of ramp/condos)

------------------------------------- REFERENCES: ------------------------------

FLOW:
	Mapleton, past and prediction:
	http://www.nwrfc.noaa.gov/river/station/flowplot/flowplot.cgi?MPLO3