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Rogue, OR

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2. Gold Ray Dam to Gold Hill Boat Ramp (Nugget Falls Run)

Class II-IV
5.7 Miles
Avg Gradient 11 fpm

Powerhouse Rapid, Boof Line


Powerhouse Rapid, Boof Line
Photo of Amy Brown by Thomas O'Keefe © taken 2007-08-31 @ 1980 cfs

Gauge Information

high
5,560
1/9 16:45

Min Sug. Level:  800 cfs Max Sug. Level:  3000 cfs

River Description

This is a popular local run for paddlers in the communities of Ashland, Medford, and Grants Pass that is accessible through the summer.

Starting from the Gold Ray Dam  which provides a couple of play spots, the run is fairly mellow with a good bit of flatwater for the first couple miles. You can expect to see a diversity of bird life along this section.

Within a couple miles the action begins to pick up with some fun class II rapids that offer good surfing. You will then pass an alternate access point on river right. For a quick run that takes in the best whitewater, paddlers often run the last two miles that start here.

The action begins to pick up as your run the Broken Weir. An old concrete weir is still intact on river left and concentrates the flow into a gap on river right that forms a great little play feature. Nugget Falls is just downstream. The channel down the left is a fun ride. At the base of this rapid you will pass another access site on river right.

The run continues with some more flatwater as you approach the City of Gold Hill's diversion weir. This dam is scheduled for removal in summer 2008 and a new water intake has been constructed on river right. As long as the dam remains intact you will need to run it and with a careful boat scout you should be able to find a way through.

Immediately downstream of the weir the river takes the plunge over Powerhouse Rapid. There are several options here including an easier route down the right, a center line through the big hole, or a great boof move down the river left channel.

Within a few more paddlestrokes you will come to the take-out and boat ramp at Gold Rogue Sports Park on river right or you can continue on downstream to the next run.

Logistics: The put-in at Gold Ray Dam is located at river mile 125.9, elevation 1122' (at the base). From I-5 exit 35 take Blackwell Road 1.5 miles northwest to Gold Ray Road (just after you cross the railroad tracks). Take Gold Ray road 1.4 miles to Gold Ray Dam. Access is available at a number of sites along river left below the dam.

The take-out at Gold Hill Boat Ramp is located at river mile 120.2, elevation 1056' accessible from I-5 exit 40. Cross the Rogue River and enter the town of Gold Hill. Take Highway 234 north out of town. The boat ramp is located less than half a mile out of town on river right at Gold Rogue Sports Park at Highway 234 mile 3.0.

Alternate intermediate access for the last part of the run is available by continuing upstream on river right on Highway 234.
StreamTeam Status: verified
Last Updated: 2006-12-31 05:43:16

Search Results

Photos/Videos 1- of 13

Gold Ray Dam


Gold Ray Dam  Rogue OR
(2.79MB .jpeg)

Put-in Below Gold Ray Dam


Put-in Below Gold Ray Dam  Rogue OR
(2.78MB .jpeg)

Bitterman Falls


Bitterman Falls  Rogue OR
(2.68MB .jpeg)

Lyman Falls


Lyman Falls  Rogue OR
(2.88MB .jpeg)

Alternate Access


Alternate Access  Rogue OR
(2.62MB .jpeg)

Broken Weir, top


Broken Weir, top  Rogue OR
(2.86MB .jpeg)

Broken Weir


Broken Weir  Rogue OR
(1.66MB .jpeg)

Nugget Falls


Nugget Falls  Rogue OR
(2.75MB .jpeg)

BLM Access


BLM Access  Rogue OR
(2.65MB .jpeg)

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Gauge

We have no information on how to interpret the gauge. If you know, please contact the StreamTeam member responsible and describe how to read the gauge to them.

ROGUE RIVER AT RAYGOLD [ OR ]

Current Conditions

Stage Flow Updated
4.09 5560 1/9 16:45

Station Graphs


Linked Reaches

Search Results

Level Legend: Running Below Minimum Recommended Flow Above Maximum Recommended Flow Unknown
Descriptions of reaches with River Name in bold have been verified by a regional StreamTeam member.

State River Name/Section Class Level Rel. Level Updated
OR Rogue— 2. Gold Ray Dam to Gold Hill Boat Ramp II-IV 5,560 cfs   high 1/9 16:45

Station Description

AW Gauge ID:5152
USGS Station:14359000
HUC:17100308
Latitude:42.4375
Longitude:-122.9861
Class:6

WXPort

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Guidebooks



Soggy Sneakers: A Guide to Oregon Rivers
$13.27


Watershed: The Undamming of America
$18.20

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Rapid Summary

Mile Rapid Name Class Features (Legend)
0.0Gold Ray DamPutin Hazard Photo
0.0Bitterman FallsII+Photo
0.0Lyman FallsII+Playspot Photo
0.0Alternate AccessTakeout Access Photo
0.0Broken WeirIIPlayspot Photo
0.0Nugget FallsIII+Photo
0.0Powerhouse Diversion WeirPhoto
0.0Powerhouse RapidIVPhoto

Rapid Descriptions

Gold Ray Dam

Put-in Below Gold Ray Dam

Put-in Below Gold Ray Dam
Photo of Amy Brown by Thomas O'Keefe © taken 2007-08-31 @ 1980 cfs

This dam is a hazard to navigation and limits fish passage. Access is available on river left just downstream of the dam.

Bitterman Falls (Class II+, Mile 0.0)

Bitterman Falls

Bitterman Falls
Photo of Amy Brown by Thomas O'Keefe © taken 2007-08-31 @ 1980 cfs

A fun rapid with a couple of playspots.

Lyman Falls (Class II+, Mile 0.0)

Lyman Falls

Lyman Falls
Photo of Eric Mickelson by Thomas O'Keefe © taken 2007-08-31 @ 1980 cfs

You will find a fun surf wave or two in this rapid.

Alternate Access

Alternate Access

Alternate Access
Photo by Thomas O'Keefe © taken 2007-08-31 @ 1980 cfs

This access provides a put-in for the biggest drops on the run with a short shuttle on river right.        

Broken Weir (Class II, Mile 0.0)

Broken Weir

Broken Weir
Photo by Thomas O'Keefe © taken 2007-08-31 @ 1980 cfs

An old weir diverts flow to river right where a fun play spot forms.

Nugget Falls (Class III+, Mile 0.0)

Nugget Falls

Nugget Falls
Photo by Thomas O'Keefe © taken 2007-08-31 @ 1980 cfs

A great drop. Follow the tongue down the left side, skirt the holes or punch them for a fun ride.

Powerhouse Diversion Weir

Gold Hill Dam, Powerhouse Rapids

Gold Hill Dam, Powerhouse Rapids
Photo by Thomas O'Keefe © taken 2007-08-31 @ 1980 cfs

The powerhouse diversion weir is scheduled for removal in summer 2008. In the meantime you can line up for a couple of different slots.

Powerhouse Rapid (Class IV, Mile 0.0)

Powerhouse Rapid, Boof Line

Powerhouse Rapid, Boof Line
Photo of Amy Brown by Thomas O'Keefe © taken 2007-08-31 @ 1980 cfs

The biggest drop on the run. A popular line is down the center through the hole. You can also do the boof line to the left. Alternatively there is a bit of a sneak down the right. This rapid is hard to scout as the channel divides giving you a few different options and vegetation obscures the view.


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