The Molalla River in 2024, run in my Super Puma.
Video: The molalla river 2024 on the SOLWYRX Paddlesports YouTube channel.
The Molalla is a smaller, rockier river than the Clackamas or the Santiam, and it's close to home for a lot of us in the Willamette Valley. Smaller rivers are great teachers: there's less room, so you have to be precise, and they change a lot with rain.
Approaching a river that's new to you
- Check the gauge and know what level is good for your craft.
- Read a current trip report for wood. Small rivers collect it fast.
- Go with someone who's run it recently.
- Scout anything you can't see the bottom of.
If you're still figuring out which rivers and boats are right for you, start with Getting Into Whitewater: Immerse Before You Invest.
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.
