Gauge: The gauge only reads in feet, and this section is not commonly done so data points are few. That said, after a handful of recent trips the consensus seems to be 4-4.5 feet is the goldilocks level, not too high, not too low. Runs just under 4' were still considered worthwhile, and a run at 3.5' and dropping slowly was considered worth doing if you've not done it before. If you do the run please report in the comments. If flows are below 3.5' use the lower put in unless you are ok with scraping. A group who camped at the put in bailed when they woke to flows spiking over 5' and there were no eddies to be seen. Yet another local paddler did the run while it was dropping from 5.2-5.0 and felt the level was a perfect medium-high.
Here is a link showing
inflow to Green Peter Reservoir, if you subtract the
Quartzville flow it is possible to get a ballpark on what is flowing down the Middle Santiam.
This is a unique and remote wilderness run in the heart of Oregon's Cascades. The first day is shorter than the second, with a creeky feel and a few scouts. Just below the put in bridge is the OK Coral, a class V-ish gorge, that some paddlers will choose to put in below that by working their way down Lake Creek, or bushwhacking in off a road on river left. This small road heads towards Holman Creek from the main shuttle road less than half a mile upstream of the put in bridge. The rest of the first day is fun read and run III-IV with the exception of Geomorph, a landslide rapid scouted and portaged right, and Shelter Falls at the confluence with Bachelor Creek. The Shelter Shedd is on river left in the vicinity of the powerful, short Shelter Falls. Intermediate paddlers will enjoy this upper section by putting in below the OK Coral, and portaging around the two larger rapids. As always, keep an eye out for wood, and don't be surprised by a portage or two (though often the wood situation requires no portaging).
The best camping is in the mile downstream of Pyramid Creek, with the very best near Donaca Creek.
The second day has long stretches of quality read and run class III/IV rapids separated by easy floating. The scenery is an interesting contrast between old growth wilderness and clear cuts exposing large cliff walls. The whitewater is non-descript boulder gardens, but lots of fun and people tend to be surprised by the amount of quality rapids on the run.
Paddling this run (especially as an overnight trip) should be on the bucket list of any Oregonian paddler.
There is a shelter early on in the run that opens up the run to foul weather overnights. The better camping is near Donaca Creek, on big open gravel and moss bars.
Detailed information in a
Trip Report from Into the Outside.
Take Out: Whitcomb Creek Park. This park has a boat ramp that is the conventional take out. It is six miles of paddling along the reservoir to reach this take out.
Put In: Return to Hwy 20 and drive east about 24 miles to NF 2047/Sheep Creek Rd where you turn left. Follow this road 8.7 miles to a bridge over the Middle Santiam (stay right at 0.3, left at 0.4, center/main at 2.3, right but not hard right at 3.6, then stay left just after, right at 5.9, 7.9 and 8.4).
A shorter section requiring a hike in is described
here. This lower option also allows for lower water trips, even below 3.5'.
The directions for putting in lower are described
here, both options described on that page work for boating. The first option puts you in near Shedd Camp Shelter and the second further downstream near the confluence with Pyramid Creek.