Put In

Put In is a whitewater put-in access point on Mill Creek in Polk County, Oregon, serving as an entry point for paddlers into a medium-sized river system. Mill Creek is a 14-mile stream that drops 195 feet in elevation, creating a moderately steep gradient of 13.9 feet per mile. With an average flow of 91 cubic feet per second and an average velocity of 1.28 feet per second, this is an active flowing waterway suitable for whitewater paddling. The access point is located near the headwaters of the creek system, approximately 1,886 miles upstream from the river mouth.

Paddlers using this put-in should be prepared for flowing water conditions typical of a Stream Order 4 river. The drainage area of 118 square miles ensures consistent water volume, making this a viable year-round paddling destination depending on seasonal rainfall patterns. The combination of gradient and flow characteristics suggests this section may contain moderate current and potentially significant whitewater features, requiring paddlers to have appropriate skill levels for Class II-III conditions.