Oregon · river
South Fork Mckenzie River Abv Roaring River near Cougar Dam
Live conditions for this USGS-monitored stretch of water, updated every 15 minutes.
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Paddle Score, from live wind and water conditions
Wind
3 mph
gusting to 5 mph
Air temp
52°F
38% chance of rain
River flow
76 cfs
very high for this date
Best day to paddle this week
Monday · 100
Today
89
58°
Mon
100
65°
Best
Tue
99
82°
Wed
98
88°
Thu
93
82°
Fri
94
72°
Sat
100
81°
Scored from each day's peak forecast wind, heat, and rain chance — river flow isn't forecastable, so check back before you load the boat.
Wind, next 12 hours
mph| Hour | Wind (mph) | Gusts (mph) |
|---|---|---|
| 1a | 3 | 5 |
| 2a | 6 | 10 |
| 3a | 1 | 8 |
| 4a | 4 | 6 |
| 5a | 4 | 6 |
| 6a | 4 | 4 |
| 7a | 3 | 3 |
| 8a | 1 | 2 |
| 9a | 1 | 4 |
| 10a | 4 | 5 |
| 11a | 4 | 5 |
| 12p | 3 | 6 |
Is this flow normal for September 6?
Today's 76 cfs is Right about the median for this date — which counts as very high water here.
The median flow on this date is 78 cfs, across 1 years of USGS record at this gauge. Whether that is runnable depends on the stretch — this is context, not a recommendation.
Why this score
- Wind — 3 mph — calm, ideal for any boat±0
- Cold — 52°F — dress for the water, not the air-12
- Rain — 38% chance in the next 6 hours-3
We don't have launch notes for this one
This page is built from the USGS gauge at this location, so the flow and weather are real — but we haven't verified where to put in, what the hazards are, or whether this stretch is legal or sensible to paddle. We'd rather say that than invent it. The links below are where to find out.
We also don't have a verified safe-flow range here, so the Paddle Score reflects weather only. Judge the flow number against local knowledge, not against our score.
Do your own homework
We show you live conditions. For local knowledge — where to put in, what the hazards are, whether it's worth the drive — here's where paddlers actually talk about this water. We don't vet these sources; check the dates and judge for yourself.
- Paddler discussion on Reddit
Trip reports and local warnings, straight from the source
- Search American Whitewater
Rapid classifications and gauge-linked run descriptions
- Satellite view and access roads
Check parking, put-ins, and what the banks actually look like
- Video from this water
The fastest way to see the character of a run before you drive
- USGS gauge 14159130
Full hydrograph, historical flows, and station metadata
Nearby water
- So Fork Mckenzie River Abv Cougar Lake near Rainbow9 mi
- North Fork of Mf Willamette River above Parker Creek near Oakridge9 mi
- Horse Creek near Mckenzie Bridge15 mi
- South Fork Mckenzie River near Rainbow15 mi
- Mckenzie River above South Fork, near Rainbow17 mi
- Quartz Creek Blw Cane Creek near Finn Rock17 mi