The bottom section of the Canoe Canal and some other stretches upstream, are part of the Patterson Slough. The main flow of the Willamette went through there until 1895, when a major flood changed the riverbed to where it is today. The other sections were dug deeper and connected, to build the canal in 1973. At the top end of the lower section, a part branches off to the left and goes under a bridge. A friend and I once paddled our kayaks all the way up to where it goes through a large culvert under Interstate 5. It continues east through Springfield, where it is the main drainage canal for that city.
That was so great! I have always wondered what lies beyond the portage area crossing over into Springfield just under the I-5 bridge area- on the canoe canal that is. It was also cool to see where you got out and made it back the main parking lot. Thanks so much for posting!
thx, I'm about to try this in a folding kayak for the first time in I want to try to figure out the short route I'm going, I wish I could see on the map where are you got in and where is the portage points are on the canal I don't understand, sometimes it seems like you were going up river and sometimes downriver... I really don't understand what you were doing the one time you put the front of your kayak into the rushing waterfall? That seemed dangerous 😬 Anyway, thanks for the video... It's definitely helpful, or it makes me feel better anyway I think I can do it, minus the slides that you went on 😅
That's an interesting question. Related to this is that electric-powered bicycles are allowed on off-road bike trails and are legally regarded as the same as human-powered ones. Check with the Eugene Dept. of Parks and Recreation for a definite answer on that. The traffic is never heavy on this canal, so your boat wouldn't likely be interfering with anyone.
Thanks. I'm a 72 yo female and was wondering about this route. Looks easy.
The bottom section of the Canoe Canal and some other stretches upstream, are part of the Patterson Slough. The main flow of the Willamette went through there until 1895, when a major flood changed the riverbed to where it is today. The other sections were dug deeper and connected, to build the canal in 1973. At the top end of the lower section, a part branches off to the left and goes under a bridge. A friend and I once paddled our kayaks all the way up to where it goes through a large culvert under Interstate 5. It continues east through Springfield, where it is the main drainage canal for that city.
That was so great! I have always wondered what lies beyond the portage area crossing over into Springfield just under the I-5 bridge area- on the canoe canal that is. It was also cool to see where you got out and made it back the main parking lot. Thanks so much for posting!
Thanks, just moved here, going to give this a shot.
Check out the Eugene River Festival, sep 9th - this is the race course!
Very nice and lots of fun! Thumbs up from Ireland! :)
thx, I'm about to try this in a folding kayak for the first time in I want to try to figure out the short route I'm going, I wish I could see on the map where are you got in and where is the portage points are on the canal
I don't understand, sometimes it seems like you were going up river and sometimes downriver...
I really don't understand what you were doing the one time you put the front of your kayak into the rushing waterfall? That seemed dangerous 😬
Anyway, thanks for the video... It's definitely helpful, or it makes me feel better anyway I think I can do it, minus the slides that you went on 😅
He was going both up and down the canal in different sections of the video.
awesome, just got a kayak. i live near clearwater park.
I need to take this up. Eugene has a lot of beauty.. Recommendations of what type of gear and kyak to purchase.
Wonder if I’m allowed to use my small Jon boat with electric trolling motor. Probably not but I have a torn up shoulder making kayaking difficult.
That's an interesting question. Related to this is that electric-powered bicycles are allowed on off-road bike trails and are legally regarded as the same as human-powered ones. Check with the Eugene Dept. of Parks and Recreation for a definite answer on that. The traffic is never heavy on this canal, so your boat wouldn't likely be interfering with anyone.
Very cool!
At 1:40 you've just passed Autzen and the ducks are scurrying away from you, and so you say...?
If the Canada Geese shown were ducks, you would shout, "Go ducks!"
If I let such considerations hinder my comedic .... *oh crap they're geese*.