Potamus Creek

Heppner, Oregon

Caution todayOregon
Caution today

Free — you'll pick up right here.

Conditions: Caution

for canoeing, today

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is good

2 factors · 2 sources

Newest 7 h ago · oldest 7 h

  • caution: Agency alerts

    5 active alerts in Umatilla National Forest; most severe: Phase A Public Use Restrictions

    USFSPosted Sep 10 · checked 7 h ago

  • clear: Weather

    Clouds, high 60°F / low 34°F, 0% precip — 91/100 for canoeing

    OpenWeather7 h ago

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

Why you'll love it

17.6 mi run
Flows year-round
31 cfs avg flow

River facts

Water
Flows year-round
Average flow
31 cfs
Average current
1.3 ft/s
Gradient
157.5 ft/mi
Drainage area
48 sq mi

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

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Potamus Creek

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Photos

Directions & GPX

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Permits & access

Managing agency
Forest Service

About this water

Potamus Creek is a 18-mile paddling stretch near Heppner, Oregon. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 31 cfs and a gradient of about 157.5 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 Umatilla National Forest as of Oct 9, 2026:

Source: USFS forest alerts

Nearby

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

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Keep exploring — more water worth the drive

Willow CreekPhoto: Bill Johnson, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Willow Creek

~1h 1m drive

Willow Creek is a 71-mile paddling stretch near Lexington, Oregon. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 66 cfs and a gradient of about 55.8 feet per mile.

Bull Prairie Boating Site

~37 min drive

A worthwhile stop near Oregon.

Rock CreekPhoto: Bobjgalindo, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Rock Creek

~1h 8m drive

Rock Creek is a 77-mile paddling stretch near Ione, Oregon. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 70 cfs and a gradient of about 46.0 feet per mile.

Wooden Bridge River Access

~1h 4m drive

A worthwhile stop near Oregon.

Birch CreekPhoto: Bobjgalindo, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Birch Creek

~1h 9m drive

Birch Creek is a 16-mile paddling stretch near Pendleton, Oregon. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 118 cfs and a gradient of about 41.3 feet per mile.

Magone Lake Boat Launch

~1h 8m drive

Magone Lake Boat Launch is a boat launch in Oregon.

Grande Ronde RiverPhoto: Dsdugan, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Grande Ronde River

~1h 20m drive

Grande Ronde River is a 31-mile paddling stretch near La Grande, Oregon. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 435 cfs and a gradient of about 119.9 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Donnelly Service Creek River Access Park

~1h 12m drive

A worthwhile stop near Oregon.

Middle Fork John Day RiverPhoto: Sam Beebe, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Middle Fork John Day River

~1h 6m drive

Middle Fork John Day River is a 41-mile paddling stretch near Bates, Oregon. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 315 cfs and a gradient of about 28.1 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.

Grande Ronde Boat Launch

~1h 25m drive

A worthwhile stop near Oregon.