Bull Run, Oregon, US
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Bull Run Road to Sandy River
| Usual Difficulty |
III (for normal flows) |
| Length |
2.5 Miles |
Bull Run rapid
Bull Run rapidPhoto of Megi Morishita by Thomas O'Keefe В© taken 04/09/07
Gauge Information
| Name |
Range |
Difficulty |
Updated |
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River Description
The Bull Run has served as a short but fun class III training ground for local paddlers for many
years. You can have a good time just working the rapid at the put-in or head down the short run
to Dodge Park. Because flow from the Sandy River is diverted to the powerhouse which is located
at the put-in, this run receives enhanced flows that extend the season. This has also made the
powerhouse a popular training site where slalom paddlers have a permanent course and host an
annual race.
The hydropower facility is scheduled to be decommissioned in 2007 and with it supplemental flows
will no longer be provided. The Bull Run's loss will be the Sandy River's gain though as the
water will no longer be diverted from the Sandy providing more consistent and higher flows in
that river.
Continuing downstream from the powerhouse you will find half a dozen class III rapids spread out
over the 2.5 miles down to Dodge Park. There are good recovery sections between each of the
rapids. One can't help but wonder what lies upstream of the put-in but this section of the river
is restricted access as it provides the City of Portland with municipal drinking water.
StreamTeam Status: Not Verified
Last Updated: 2010-01-03 16:45:59
No rapids entered. If you know names, and locations of the rapids please contact and advise the StreamTeam member for this run. 
User Comments
good run if you're limit is class III. If you're class IV or above then this level is great fun.
Most rapids were clean down the middle, a couple nasty holes to avoid, and a little rebar thrown in
to keep you on your toes. It'd be a handful in a playboat, but the surf would be GREAT! Looked as
though it could be run much much lower as the river might channelize nicely. Too much higher and
the waves would be pretty damn big, definitely approaching a big water feel.