Elkhorn Creek

Gates, Oregon

Blocked todayOregon
Blocked today

Free — you'll pick up right here.

Conditions: Blocked

for canoeing, today

An agency closure order is in effect for this area; weather is good

2 factors · 2 sources

Newest 5 h ago · oldest 5 h

  • problem: Agency alerts

    9 active alerts in Willamette National Forest; most severe: Cedar Creek Fire Closure

    USFSPosted Mar 20 · checked 5 h ago

  • clear: Weather

    Rain, high 50°F / low 35°F, 100% precip — 79/100 for canoeing

    OpenWeather5 h ago

Been out here in the last few days? One report keeps this current for everyone.

Why you'll love it

7.9 mi run
Flows year-round
66 cfs avg flow

River facts

Water
Flows year-round
Average flow
66 cfs
Average current
1.2 ft/s
Gradient
293.1 ft/mi
Drainage area
13 sq mi

Long-term averages modeled by USGS (NHDPlus HR), not today's conditions. Check a gauge before you go.

Here's your day on the water, mapped

Elkhorn Creek

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Photos

Directions & GPX

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Permits & access

Managing agency
Forest Service

About this water

Elkhorn Creek is a 7.9-mile paddling stretch near Gates, Oregon. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 66 cfs and a gradient of about 293.1 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Facts about this water

Where it is

Managed by
Forest Service

Source: USFS EDW boundaries; USGS PAD-US 4.1

Conditions

Active alerts for Detroit Ranger District as of Oct 9, 2026:

Source: USFS forest alerts

Nearby

Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)

Add to a trip & share

Keep exploring — more water worth the drive

Molalla RiverPhoto: Bureau of Land Management Oregon and Washington from Portland, America, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Molalla River

~13 min drive

Molalla River is a 7.3-mile paddling stretch near Molalla, Oregon. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 173 cfs and a gradient of about 245.3 feet per mile.

Mongold Boat Ramp

~16 min drive

Mongold Boat Ramp is a boat launch in Oregon.

Detroit Lake

~15 min drive

A worthwhile stop near Oregon.

Abiqua CreekPhoto: Finetooth, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Abiqua Creek

~28 min drive

Abiqua Creek is a 26-mile paddling stretch near Scotts Mills, Oregon. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 281 cfs and a gradient of about 119.2 feet per mile.

Southshore Boat Ramp

~17 min drive

Southshore Boat Ramp is a boat launch in Oregon.

Quartzville CreekPhoto: anglerp1, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Quartzville Creek

~28 min drive

Quartzville Creek is a 12-mile paddling stretch near Idanha, Oregon. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 212 cfs and a gradient of about 198.8 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Hoover Boat Ramp

~20 min drive

Hoover Boat Ramp is a boat launch in Oregon.

Butte CreekPhoto: Kyle Kruchok, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Butte Creek

~29 min drive

Butte Creek is a 28-mile paddling stretch near Scotts Mills, Oregon. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 226 cfs and a gradient of about 116.6 feet per mile.

Crabtree CreekPhoto: Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Crabtree Creek

~29 min drive

Crabtree Creek is a 11-mile paddling stretch near Lebanon, Oregon. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 400 cfs and a gradient of about 214.5 feet per mile.

Breitenbush RiverPhoto: Matthew Trump, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Breitenbush River

~18 min drive

Breitenbush River is a 0.1-mile paddling stretch near Detroit, Oregon. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 488 cfs. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Guided trips nearby

Local operators near Gatesoffering guided trips. You book directly with them — Roamze doesn’t take a cut.

eNRG Kayaking

Kayaking business nearby (~41 mi away) — hasn't claimed their Roamze page yet

View operator

Aquatic Sports

Kayaking business nearby (~48 mi away) — hasn't claimed their Roamze page yet

View operator

Portland Kayak Company

Kayaking business nearby (~49 mi away) — hasn't claimed their Roamze page yet

View operator