Part 1 of a fall 2023 run on the Lower Santiam at higher water, rowing my Super Puma.
Video: The Lower Santiam High Water part 1 fall 2023 on the SOLWYRX Paddlesports YouTube channel.
The Lower Santiam is normally a mellow river. When the fall rains bring it up, it gets faster and pushier, and the easy stuff starts to matter. At higher water, eddies shrink, waves get bigger, and the river carries wood that wasn't there last week.
High-water habits
- Scout the level before you go, and know what it means for your run.
- Keep your group closer together, since swims go farther and faster.
- Watch for trees and strainers, which matter more than any rapid at high water.
- We rowed ahead of the current, setting angles early and pulling away from hazards well before we reached them.
Rescue training pays off on days like this, so read How Private Boaters Can Learn to Row and Rescue. The trip continues in Part 2, Part 3 and Part 4, the kayaker's view.
Personal trip report: flows, wood and hazards change, and what worked for me that day isn't a rule for your boat or group. Check current conditions, scout, and boat within your training.
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Updated October 28, 2026 · By Jacob Linkhart, owner of SOLWYRX Paddle Gear · Spot a mistake? Email me and I'll fix it.
