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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. The old powerhouse at the put in is a popular training site where slalom paddlers have a permanent course and host an annual race.
Between 200-400 cfs this a technical class III run and not at it's best. There can still be enjoyment for those stepping up to class III, or looking for technical lines through the rocky rapids.
Below 1,000 cfs there are more eddies for practicing slalom style moves, and boaters looking to improve their skills will find no shortage of opportunities.
Boaters looking to straight line through the rapids will find them more enjoyable above about 1,000 cfs, and there are still plenty of slalom moves available.
Between 2000-4000 cfs this is a fun class IV run with some big holes and push.
The hydropower facility was decommissioned in 2008 and it's supplemental flows are no longer provided. The Bull Run's loss was the Sandy River's gain though as the water is no longer being 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. Swingset is the last class III and the most notable, at lower flows it has some holes in the middle, and at medium flows some fun waves. At high flows the waves get large, but are forgiving for their size. It takes some effort to scout, so most people go with the flow and run it center-right. It is a nice finale. The river winds down below Swingset to the take out.
Looking upstream from the bridge at the put in, one can't help but wonder what lies upstream of the put-in, with enticing rapids visible above the bridge. However, the high quality class III-IV(V) stretch of whitewater from the reservoirs to the powerhouse is off limits to boaters as it is part of an area blocked off to the public to protect the City of Portland's municipal water supply.