SF Coquille: Sru Lake Section

Stream: This is a short IV+ section of the South Fork Coquille River adjacent to Sru Lake that ends in a beautiful 30'+ waterfall, and pairs well with a run down nearby Woodenrock Creek.

There is a section of warm up below the put in bridge that lasts a mile or so and is easy floating. You might find a surf wave or two and some places to get your edges under you.

The river pools up before turning right and dropping through Neckin' which is the standout rapid on the run, a narrow flume with fun hydraulics.

 Neckin'

A hundred yards of read and run leads to the next notable rapid in the form of a spread-out boulder garden, which can be scouted from the road before putting on or river left from the river.  There was wood blocking the intuitive right line in 2017, but we found a way down the left.

Read and run continues a short way before the river drops over a short horizon line that had us scrambling to the left bank for a scout.  This drop is not visible from the road, and ends with a significant hydraulic.

More class III and IV whitewater continues downstream, while there are generally no wood blockages, brush often obscures the route.  Picking lines from the road during the shuttle saves time on the river.  

A distinct ledge signals the upcoming finale, a 30 foot waterfall that has numerous lines to chose from.  It can be scouted from the left before putting on and from the right if floating downstream.

Ledge above the waterfall.

A waterfall with many lines. 4' on the 16 mile gauge.

                                                               2' on the 16 mile gauge.

Take out in the pool below on the left to avoid entering the Cataracts of the South Fork Coquille.

Flows:       We were there March 30, 2017 and flows felt like a friendly medium.

Then again on Jan 3, 2020 which was a pushy medium.

There is a gauge below the 16 mile bridge, 2-4' is medium.

Access:  From Powers, OR drive upstream along the SF Coquille on NF - 33 for 16.5 miles at which point you will cross the SF Coquille at the take out for "The Gem".  Continue along the road, taking your next left less than 1/2 mile past The Gem take out bridge.  Follow this road (NF-3348) 3.4 miles and park along the side of the road adjacent to the take out waterfall along the SF Coquille.  There is a tributary falls that drops in right next to the road in this area to confirm you are close to the right spot.  42.7244, -124.0117

Photo of some happy campers and the tributary waterfall at the take out.  

To get to the put in, continue upstream along NF - 3348 for 2.3 miles.  There is a large pull out and bridge crossing the stream.  The easiest access to the river is on river-right.  42.7466, -123.9996

The arrow is pointing to the take out.