River: Lower Sandy River Gorge
Rating: Class II+ (III)
Date: Thursday, January 1st, 2026
Time: 9:00 am until 4:00 pm
Comtact: Val Shaull, val.shaull@frontier.com (503.805.8991)
AW River Description: Dodge Park to Oxbpw Park: American Whitewater
River Levels: Bull Run Gauge @ American Whitewater
Trip Information:
Sandy River, Dodge to Oxbow
“First of the Year Float” is on again this year. This is a boating community event that includes Team River Runner, OWA and PNWWhitewater. Meet at 9 am at Dodge Park to stage boats and be ready to shuttle vehicles from Dodge Park to Oxbow Park by 10 am. We will be launching at roughly 11 am from Dodge Park after a short prep talk. Dress warm for this winter-time float and be prepared for a wide range of mild to cold adverse weather conditions that can change rapidly while on the river. The lower forested Sandy River Gorge is an eight-mile float with several class II & II+ rapids and one class III rapid that can be boated at a wide range of flow levels. After the float we will then warm up & eat at the Covered Shelter "A" inside Oxbow Park afterwards. Also, the after float potluck is on this year. Please consider bringing either a main dish, side dish, chili, hot soup, dessert, appetizers and so forth. Also, if anyone happens to have some extra firewood, please bring it. Val will have a 5-burner stove set-up as well, so please bring your coffee mug if you would like some hot coffee, spiced cider, tea, soup or chili.
References:
Soggy Sneakers by WKCC, Paddling Oregon by Robb Keller, Oregon River Tours by John Garren.