NF Rickreall to Aaron Mercer Reservoir

An intermediate creek originating in the coast range that drains east towards Salem. Check out the description and photos at Oregon Kayaking. This run is only accessible during the month of November when vehicular access is allowed for the public. There has been a lot of trees put in the uppermost portion of this stretch of river for fish habitat since the Oregon Kayaking team first descented the run.  Currently the best access is just downstream of the Laurel Creek confluence. The stream is mostly class III bedrock rapids except for the gorge.  This gorge can be scouted beforehand, or once on the creek.  Portaging is difficult, at low flows (300) the 4th ledge is sketchy and has a difficult portage on the right.  At medium flows (400-500) the gorge is more straight forward. There are a few more small rapids below the gorge, if the run was not exciting enough check out the outflow of Aaron Mercer reservoir.  If the run was right up your alley but too short, consider the lower stretch of Rickreall Creek. Rickreall Creek is the sister drainage to the Little Luckiamute, running parralel to each other.  The Little Luckiamute gauge is used as an estimate for when Rickreall is running.  Look for 300-800 cfs on the Little Luckiamute gauge. If the rain event supplying water for the run occurred within 24 hours of your planned trip, 400 cfs is optimal. If the rain event occured more than a day before your trip, 500-600 is optimal. There is also a stick gauge just upstream of where HWY 99 crosses Rickreall Creek.  This can be viewed from the walkway on the upstream side of this bridge.  If there are 6 pink lines visible, it is too low, if you can only see 5 or less the run is in.  Higher limits are decided by ability level and knowledge of the run.