Two weeks ago, the states of Oregon and California unexpectedly announced the seasonal closure of three of the new Upper Klamath River access sites. Pioneer Park West, Moonshine Falls, and K’utárawáx·u were scheduled to close from November 20 through March 31 — a move that would have cut off direct access to the Big Bend Run and the K’íka·c’é·ki Canyon Run during the very season when flows are typically at their best and affected take-out access for the Keno and K’íka·c’é·ki Valley runs.

Thanks to rapid engagement by American Whitewater, strong support from outfitters, and calls from many of you, both states have now reversed course.

All three access sites will remain open this winter, with only short, weather-dependent closures if conditions genuinely warrant them.

This is an important victory for the boating community and ensures that the public can safely reach and enjoy the newly undammed Klamath River during its prime winter and early spring season.

What Was at Stake

Oregon and California now manage the five new river access facilities on the Klamath. When they announced the closures, citing winter road conditions concerns, it caught everyone by surprise. These facilities were built through a six-year-long collaborative process involving American Whitewater, Tribes, outfitters, and agencies with the understanding they would provide year-round public access. 

The closure of three access facilities would have significantly affected boaters’ ability to take-out from the Keno Run (III) and boat the Big Bend Run (IV+) in Oregon and, in California, would have eliminated the ability to take out from the K’íka·c’é·ki Valley Run (I/II) or directly access the popular K’íka·c’é·ki Canyon Run (IV). The closure also raised boater safety and cultural resource protection concerns. The closure decisions were made without stakeholder or Tribal consultation and would have left the public with fewer river access opportunities than existed when the four Klamath dams were still in place.

How We Turned It Around

American Whitewater immediately scheduled meetings with both states. We clarified that they had been misinformed about legal requirements for closures and presented data emphasizing that the best boating opportunities occur during winter and early spring. We analyzed local weather data and modeled ice-forming conditions, showing that while ice does occur on access roads, it's infrequent and brief—not continuous through winter. We confirmed with county road departments that approach roads aren't plowed, meaning snow and ice will be evident well before visitors reach the access sites themselves.

We proposed practical solutions, including warning signage about potentially icy roads, which we've already ordered for installation.

Using the Sites This Winter

California will keep K'utárawáx·u open through winter and early spring, with only brief closures if severe weather genuinely requires them. Oregon will not close Pioneer Park West and Moonshine Falls and will monitor conditions to address specific issues as needed. We'll notify the boating community of any temporary weather-related closures. Please use good judgment when winter road conditions exist: getting stuck on a snowy river access road will complicate the delicate balance keeping these sites open. It is also important that river runners do not exit the river or explore lands within the former reservoir footprints currently managed by KRRC. While we work on long-term solutions for scouting, we strongly recommend boat scouting unless absolutely necessary. If you must exit your boat for safety reasons, minimize time on the ground and avoid picking up any objects.

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