09. Farewell Bend Park to Sawyer Park

The City of Bend has a few paddling opportunities with a whitewater park and slalom courses. The river is still interrupted by a series of dams but this may change in the future. Bend Whitewater Park: The Bend Whitewater Park is located in the Old Mill District immediately downstream of the Colorado Avenue Bridge and accessed from McKay Park on river left. The park was developed in 2015 with the removal of the Colorado Avenue Dam that was a safety hazard for floaters. The park consists of three channels: a river right habitat channel, a center whitewater experts channel with constructed play features, and a river left passageway channel for those looking for the more mellow float. Flow in the channels is controlled by a series of gates and 23 bladders. Whitewater kayakers, surfers, bodyboarders, paddleboarders, and tubers can all be found enjoying the park. For more information check out the Bend Whitewater Park web page. First Street Rapids Slalom Site: First Street Rapids is a rapid located just upstream of the First Street Bridge and has served as a training site for slalom paddlers within the city limits. Riverhouse Rendevous Slalom Course: The annual Riverhouse Rendevous occurs in late March each year and attracts racers from across the Pacific Northwest. The course is set up behind the Riverhouse Hotel, at 3065 N Hwy 97, Bend, OR 97701. As the season’s opener for the Northwest Cup Slalom Paddle Series and a Junior Olympic qualifier, the Rendezvous is also an opportunity for local whitewater enthusiasts to celebrate navigable flow levels before canal diversions are made in April.